It's the first time I'm writing about someone I have not had the opportunity to meet personally. But I loved the article on Dr. Cruz written by Audrey N. Carpio, published last Sunday, March 14, 2010 by the Philippine Star.
Ms. Carpio's "A Snail's Tale, By. Dr. Lourdes Cruz" talks about Dr. Cruz's achievements as a scientist and her views a humanist. Carpio writes that "(H)her work on venomous marine snails, which began in the '70s, led to the discovery of conotoxins that can serve as pharmaceutical probes used to study brain function. They have already been used in developing Prialt, a new painkiller that is a thousand times stronger than morphine."
Surely, everyone would find Dr. Cruz's work so impressive... Google conotoxins quick!
What caught my attention next was a photo caption: "Citizen first, then as a researcher: 'As a citizen of the Philippines, I am very concerned about the persistent high poverty level in rural areas, particularly among the disadvantaged communities like the indigenous tribes, women farmers, and fisherfolk,' Prof. Cruz says."
The article is about a biochemist who has brought honor to her profession and to her country. Her work was the product of excellent research work spanning three decades in collaboration with Dr. Baldomera Olivera and her research associates.
More importantly, the article is about a person who is world reknowned yet is able to see beyond her many successes. Dr. Cruz recognizes and speaks of the sad realities all around us.
Some people try to strike a balance between professions and addressing societal ills. Dr. Cruz, on the other hand, understands that working, helping to address poverty should be the most urgent, most important concern of everyone right now.
We can do it -- all of us -- in our own different ways.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
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