Dr. Evelyn Mae Mendoza was born on August 7, 1947. She was recognised because of her continuous basic studies in plant biochemistry particularly, one the biochemical basis of the makapuno phenotype of coconut; on the factors affecting the nutritional worth and suitability of cowpea, mungbean and numerous under utilised Philippine indigenous legumes, cassava and sweet potato; and on the biochemical source of resistance of preferred plants to pest or illness.