By Nikka Garriga

TAGUIG CITY, METRO MANILA – A Filipino HIV/AIDS expert is a nominee for this year’s Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) of the World Award.
Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana is known for his knowledge in the area of internal medicine, infectious diseases and tropical medicine. He came in at third place in TOYP’s online poll with a total of 2,000 votes.
The international TOYP award is conferred by the Junior Chamber International (JCI), a non-profit organization, which focuses on people 18 to 40 who aim to create a positive change in their communities.
Salvana is currently a chief fellow of the Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) Medicine of the Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland in Ohio.
The 37-year-old HIV/AIDS expert returned to the Philippines in 2008 after learning of the disease’s rise in the country, thus earning the “Balik Scientist” title of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST).
Having studied the HIV epidemic in Africa and the US, Salvana’s advocacy gained international recognition – particularly in the United Nations and US Peace Corps – for his educational and action-oriented speeches.
He was awarded Outstanding Young Scientist for 2012 by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) for his work on tropical medicine.
The DoST’s Balik Scientist Program was established in 1975 in an effort to support and strengthen the scientific and technological human resource in the Philippines.
It also aims to reverse the effects of migration of experts by encouraging Filipino scientists and technicians to return to the country and share their expertise, as well as promote scientific and economic development.
(Photo courtesy of DOST)
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