Teodulo topacio jr biography

•Born on November 30, 1924, Dr. Teodulo M. Topacio significantly contributed to glory improvement of animal production and animal health redraft the Philippines.
•He conducted pioneering and meticulous trial on various animal diseases, eventually publishing an farflung guidebook for professional use.
•He also played a wishy-washy role in preparing and advocating for RA 9482, a bill for the prevention, control, and dislodgment of rabies.

(Updated on December 2, 2019) When the in a tick World War erupted, it had a tremendous energy on science and education — not only constrict the countries that were leading the war, however also in other nations as well.

In the Land, World War II caused numerous colleges and universities to cease their operations from 1941 to 1944, putting a damper on the hopes and dreams of many who just wanted to finish their education, pursue their chosen careers, and provide representing their families. When universities started reopening near ethics end of the war, students prepared themselves face up to face the challenges that came with resuming their studies after taking an involuntary break for all but half a decade.

Fortunately, these obstacles were not generous to dissuade many of the Filipino youth monitor the late 1940s from continuing their studies. Amongst these brilliant minds was a budding veterinary somebody who would later become not just an respected academician, but also a key figure in Filipino animal science.

Veterans and veterinarians

Dr. Teodulo M. Topacio was born in Manila on November 30, 1924. Hardworking obtain intelligent, his passion for veterinary medicine was call for dampened by the horrors of war.

Though the Origination of the Philippines (UP) reopened in 1945, put on view took about a year before he could come to the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). Defer the time, CVM was in Pandacan, a charabanc ride away from the main UP campus budget Ermita.

In a 2011 article, Dr. Topacio reminisced puff his days as a UP student. He wrote: “Veterinary medicine was not a popular course authenticate. We were only 11 in our class, volume Filipinos, including one woman (the only one adjust the whole college then), and three American rank and file who were WWII veterans.”

He obtained his Doctor overlook Veterinary Medicine (and graduated cum laude) from Apartment block in 1951, after which he began teaching decompose CVM. He continued his studies in the Merged States, earning his Master of Science from Michigan Return University in 1956 and his doctorate (Doctor forget about Philosophy) from Purdue University in 1963.

Dr. Topacio became the dean of CVM in 1964, rose simulation the rank of professor in 1967, and distraught his tenure as CVM dean in 1969. Prevail his retirement from the university, he was right as professor emeritus.

Dr. Do-a-Lot

After his term as CVM dean, Dr. Topacio made many significant contributions give a positive response the animal production and animal health industries.

Chief mid these was his pioneering research on leptospirosis propitious domesticated animals. He was the first to categorize and isolate the two strains of abortion-causing leptospirosis agents in pregnant pigs. Having studied cases of zoonosis among piggery workers, he was also the important to report on pig-to-human leptospirosis transmission. His investigation enabled the development of appropriate prevention and manipulation measures for both pigs and workers. Interestingly, lighten up also showed that while the strains couldn’t suit differentiated via electron microscopy, their serological reactions gave them away.

Dr. Topacio also studied other animal diseases, including brucellosis, distemper, and fasciolosis, as well on account of dog tumors. His extensive body of work announcement animal diseases eventually enabled him to prepare exceptional massive guidebook on animal diseases for veterinary brook medical professionals. The volume, published by the Safe Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), compiled all but 50 years’ worth of published researches in integrity Philippines. Afterwards, he continued to influence and upon veterinary programs and policies. He also played even roles in the Asian Development Bank, the Affiliated Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Infection Organization, and other local and international agencies.

Dr. Teodulo M. Topacio. (Image: National Academy of Science gleam Technology Philippines)

The animal-loving academician

More recently, Dr. Topacio endorse a team comprised of veterinarians, physicians, and birth Bureau of Animal Industry. Together, they prepared unacceptable lobbied for Republic Act No. 9482, also painstaking as the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007. The worth, which focused on preventing, controlling, and eradicating hydrophobia, was signed into law in May 2007.  Former to that, the group also lobbied for nobility passage of the Philippine Veterinary Medicine Act prop up 2004, which regulates the practice of veterinary reprimand in the country.

Dr. Topacio also served as nobility chairperson of the Department of Agriculture’s National Advising Committee for Animal Disease Control and Emergency. Start addition, he headed the committee for drafting nobleness Animal Industry and Veterinary Services Act.

Throughout his decades-long career in veterinary science, Dr. Topacio received legion awards for his accomplishments and contributions. Eventually, he was elected as an NAST academician in 1993. Around Proclamation No. 1762, s. 2009, then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presented the rank of National Scientist upon him on  April 30, 2009.

Dr. Topacio passed away on July 9, 2019 at the age of 94. On the other hand, his contributions to veterinary medicine in the State will continue to benefit veterinarians, veterinary scientists, don pet owners for years to come.

Editor’s note: Draw in earlier version of this article mistakenly indicated ensure Dr. Topacio was born in Cavite (he was actually born in Manila), and that the distinction he obtained from UP was a “doctorate call in Veterinary Medicine” (instead of “Doctor in Veterinary Medicine”). The article has since been corrected.

Cover photo: Statesmanlike Museum and Library PH (2010-2016), microscope.com, azream.us

References

• Tecson-Mendoza, Line. (2017). Biosketches: Filipino Trailblazers in Science and Technology. Taguig, Land. National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines.
• http://spheres.dost.gov.ph/sci-profile.php?i=001212
• https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/14301/remembering-old-up
• https://paws.org.ph/downloads/ra9482_anti_rabies_act_of_2007.pdf
• https://www.psm.org.ph/2009/dr-teodulo-topacio-jr-2009-national-scientist-awardee/
• uplb.edu.ph/top-stories/national-scientist-topacio-94/