Dr. Camara-Besa is a medical educator and researcher. She has worked on the sodium and potassium content of Philippine foods and established standards useful in the preparation of diets. Her series of eight papers on cholesterol levels in relation to diets of various segments of the Filipino population which are very important epidemiological basic data on the Filipino give an idea of the importance of fats and cholesterol in the epidemiology of atherosclerosis among Filipinos.
Birthdate: 2 March 1915
Died: 12 August 2012
Some of Dr. Camara-Besa's researches were award winning. She was a Barbour Scholar, University of Michigan from 1939-1940 and is a member of various honorary and learned societies.
Educational Background:
- A.A - University of the Philippines College of Liberal Arts 1933
- M.D.- University of the Philippines College of Liberal Arts 1938
- M.S. Biological Chemistry - University of Michigan, U.S.A. 1940
Most important research conducted:
- The Serum Cholesterol and Phospolipid Levels of the Population of Nine Regions of the Philippines and Their Ralation to the Regional Dietary Patterns
Honors and Awards Received:
- 1938 - Gold Medal and Diploma of Honor as Valedictorian - Philippine Islands of Medical Association
- 1938 - U.P. Presidents's Gold Medal for Scholarship
- 1947 - Distinguished Teacher AWard - U.P. Alumni Association
- 1955 - Second Prize Winner - Research Award for Basic Sciences - Manila Medical Society
- 1954 - Guillermo Rustia Award for best scientific paper - Philippine Medical Women's Association
- 1959 - First Prize Winner - Research Award for Basic Medical Sciences - Manila Medical Society
- 1960 - Second Prize - Abbot Research Award - Philippine Medical Association
- 1971 - Distinguished Alumnus Award - U.P. Medical Alumni Society
- 1978 - Gold Plaque for 40 Years of Service - University of the Philippines
- 1987 - Academician - National Academy of Science and Technology
