Field
Location (during time of takeover)
School/Institution
| Undergrad | University of the Philippines Diliman Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Teaching | University of the Philippines Diliman Chemistry |
| PhD | University of California Irvine Chemistry (Chemical Biology) |
Featured on November 24, 2025
We hope you’re not immune to a good story, because this week we’re getting to know Pinoy Scientist and licensed chemist Juan Salvador “Duno” Dantis (he/siya), a PhD candidate in Chemistry (Chemical Biology) and graduate teaching assistant/researcher at the University of California, Irvine, United States.
Duno completed his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. During his undergraduate degree, he interned under UniLab Inc. and worked at UP Diliman’s Biochemistry and Synthetic Organic Laboratory. He graduated magna cum laude and class valedictorian in 2019, receiving the Baldomero Olivera Jr.-Lourdes Cruz Award and the College of Science Excellence Award 2019 for his achievements. Taking the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Chemists’ Licensure Exam later that year, Duno placed 3rd among the passers. Duno remained at UP Diliman until 2022 as an instructor for the Institute of Chemistry. He was also a lecturer for Sison Review Center for Chemists’ and Chemical Technicians’ Licensure Exam, teaching analytical and biochemistry.
Duno is now a PhD Candidate in Chemistry (Chemical Biology) at the University of California, Irvine, where he is also a graduate teaching assistant and researcher. He has maintained his passion for mentorship and science communication outside the classroom, serving as a writing associate at Ologist PH, a science communication organization. He is also the current President of GradMAP Philippines, having been a mentor for the organization for several years.
Some fun facts about Duno:
- He is a countertenor and can do every Christina Aguilera riff ever
- He was a model for a hallmark Christmas card when he was a kid – like Lynn from Las Vegas mowdelz
- He sang the American national anthem at a hockey and soccer game as part of a chorus – years of obsessing over Whitney Houston had prepared him well. Yes, it did feel weird to do so as a foreign national, but the crowd wouldn’t have known that
