The Philippine Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) recognized Dr. Edwin C. Atabay of the DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC), as this year’s Outstanding Veterinarian in Government Service during its 89th Scientific Conference and Annual Convention awarding ceremony on February 17.
The award is an initiative of the PVMA, a sister organization of the Philippine Medical Association whose aim is to bring together qualified Filipino veterinarians who have been approved by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC).
Dr. Atabay is currently the Senior Science Research Specialist of the Reproduction and Physiology Section under the Research Development Division. He is also the National Technical Coordinator on Reproduction, the Program Coordinator for DA-PCC’s Artificial Insemination and Bull Entrustment Programs of the PCC, and a technical expert for the Department of Agriculture’s Unified National Artificial Insemination Program. He is also a Career Scientist II under the DOST’s SCS.
His fields of specialization are Veterinary Medicine and Animal Reproductive Biotechnology. His research interests also include reproductive biotechnology (in vitro embryo production, cryopreservation of semen, embryos, oocytes, and somatic cells, artificial insemination, pregnancy diagnosis, cloning, and embryo transfer).
He is actively involved in S&T activities that result in the development of technology and innovations for increasing water buffalo and other ruminant species’ pregnancy and productivity.
Moreover, he was the driving force behind the creation and implementation of the Intensified Reproductive Management Program, which encourages technological improvements in reproduction to boost livestock reproductive efficiency.
Dr. Atabay earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Medicine at Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan and Masters in Animal Science at the Central Luzon State University.
In the latter part of the year 2021, Dr. Atabay was also recognized as the 2021 Achievement Awardee of the National Research Council of the Philippines-Division of Veterinary Medicine.
“Do what you say,” Dr. Atabay replied when asked what his secret to all of his accomplishments was.
