Julian Banzon

Julián Arca Banzón (March 25, 1908 – September 13, 1988) was a Filipino biochemist and a National Scientist of the Philippines. Banzon is credited for his research in alternative fuel. He researched on the production of ethyl ester fuels from sugarcane and coconuts and devised a method of extracting residual coconut oil through chemical means. Julian Banzon was born on March 25, 1908, to Manuel S. Banzon and Arcadia Arca in Balanga, Bataan. Banzon graduated from the University of the Philippines in Manila in 1930 with a degree of Bachelor of Science in chemistry. After some years working as an instructor at his alma mater, in 1937 he entered the Iowa State University in the United States as a UP pensionado. Banzon obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree in biochemistry and a minor in Microbiology in 1940. The topic of his doctoral dissertation was the “fermentative utilization of cassava.” Right after Banzon's graduation from the University of the Philippines, he worked as an assistant instructor at the University of the Philippines College of Agriculture in 1930 and was later promoted to instructor in agricultural chemistry in the same college. Banzon later pursued graduate studies. Banzon later returned to the Philippines to work as an assistant professor in agricultural chemistry at the UP College of Agriculture. His teaching stint as an assistant professor ended in 1951. He later served as associate professor, associate chemist, and assistant head of the Department of Agricultural Chemistry from 1951 to 1955. Banzon received an aid for his study on the use of radioisotopes in agriculture in through an ICA Type A grant in 1956. In 1958, he was appointed as chief scientist of the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission. One of the highlights of Banzon's career was his tenure as the first director of the Philippine Atomic Research Center from 1960 to 1963. He was given a plaque of appreciation by the research center. Banzon resumed his career at the UP College of Agriculture, where he worked as professor and chairman of the department of agriculture chemistry from August 1, 1963, to March 24, 1970.