James Cesar Refran

Featured on August 11, 2025

Here to rock your timeline this week is Pinoy Scientist Dr. James Cesar “Jace” Refran, the Supervising Science Research Specialist at the Earth Sciences Space Mission Studies Division of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA). He is also a Master’s student at the Development Academy of the Philippines.

Jace received his Bachelor’s degree in Geology from University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman National Institute of Geological Sciences. He immediately began working as an instructor at his alma mater at the same institute. In 2013, he took the Geology Professional Licensure Examination, ranking first in his cohort. While teaching, he also took his first Master’s degree in Geology at UP Diliman, studying young basaltic volcanism in Northern Palawan. After graduating, he moved to Japan for his doctorate degree. He finished his Doctor of Science in Earth Resource Science (Igneous Petrology) in 2020, having continued his study of volcanic activity in Palawan.

Jace returned to the Philippines the year after, joining PhilSA as a member of their Earth Sciences Space Mission Studies Division where he has remained to this day as their Supervising Science Research Specialist. Last year, he also began taking his second Master’s in Development Management at the Development Academy of the Philippines. He is currently studying the utilization of space technologies for hazard preparedness in the country.

Some fun facts about Jace:

• He enjoys playing mobile RPG games (Ragnarök, Flyff, Ran Online, MU, Dragon Nest, Granado Espada, etc.)
• He has a ‘Winnie the Pooh’ teddy bear that has been with him for more than 2 decades now
• He was the first geologist onboarded at the PhilSA

This takeover is made possible through a collaboration with Philippine Space Agency.