Dr. PRISCILLA C. SANCHEZ, Ph. D. in Applied Microbiology from Tokyo University of Agriculture is a Retired Professor of Food Science and Technology at the University of the Philippines - Los Banos. She pioneered researches on traditional Filipino fermented foods benefiting the existing cottage, small and medium food industries.

Sis Priscilla Chinte Sanchez was presented a
2002 ACHIEVEMENT AWARD in BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

      Her accomplishments in the field of Microbiology/Biotechnology and Food Science and Technology contributed to the advancement of knowledge particularly in the bio-processing technology, quality control aspects of various food products and on the microbial diversity and preservation. She ardently pursued her scientific endeavors leading up to the generation of novel technologies and innovations. All these are embodied in her voluminous publications - to date, totaling 88 scientific papers in refereed journals, 66 papersin proceedings of conferences, 2 textbooks on MIKROBYOLOHIYA SA PAGKAIN (Food Microbiology) and PHILIPPINE FERMENTED FOODS: Principles and Technology, co-authored books on COCONUT AS FOOD AND COCONUT FOOD PROCESSES, 3 articles in books and bulletins, 2 books, 2 handbooks, 3 monographs and catalogues, 14 semi-technical papers and 112 policy and scientific papers. Credited to her are 24 developed technologies many of them have been adopted by the food industries. Her name is synonymous with Philippines tropical fruit wines, the Centennial Wine and Coco Champagne, the Mungbean Sauce with a Philippine Patent No. 15248 and notably, our very own nata de coco - a living testament to her dedication to basic scientific research and technology development of her chosen field.

      In studies of biological diversity, she pioneered in investigating the microbial diversity in the Philippines, isolating bacteria, yeasts and molds and other fungi from different habitats and substrates of Mount Makiling, characterizing these isolates and studying their potential applicatons in biotechnology. These trailblazing feats led to the discoveries of several unusual, endemic microfloral species and isolates, including acetic acid, lactic acid, and protease producers, and archaeabacteria. Her efforts led to the eventual description and establishment of two new genera and species of hyperthermophilic and thermoacidophilic bacteria from Mudsprings, Mount Makiling, namely, Caldivirga maquilinensis Itoh & Sanchez and Caldisphaera lagunensis Itoh & Sanchez.

      She is recognized for her memberships and leaderships in local and international scientific and honor societies, and most notably the many honors and awards accorded to her. Prestigious awards in her field of expertise given to her include:

• Oustanding Microbiologist Award for 1989
• Most Distinguished Microbiologists Award for 1990
• Service Award in Microbiology for 1999, given by the Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc.
• Distinguished Alumnus Award for 1984, given by the University of the Philippines Los Banos, College of Agriculture Alumni Association
• Starrdec Award for 1986, given by the Department of Science and Technology
• Recognition Award (Coconut Processing and Utilization) for 1990, given by the Philippine Coconut Authority
• 1998 Mariang Maya Award (For Science and Education), given by the UP Sigma Delta Phi Alumnae Association
• 1999 International Publication "Award, given by the University of the Philippines System
• 2002 Achievement Award in Biological Sciences given by the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP)