Zython Lachica

Featured on January 7, 2024

Happy new year to all Pinoy Scientists around the world!

We’re starting 2024 strong with Zython Lachica—a global health modeller, universal health care advocate and educator at the University of the Philippines Mindanao.

Zython graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics, major in Operations Research from UP Mindanao. His research revolved around investigating the impact of climate determinants on aquaculture in the Davao region using a Ricardian analysis.

After graduating, Zython worked as a Senior High School Research Teacher at Davao Christian High School; a Project Technical Staff for a Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-funded project on rabies prevention. He also worked as a researcher on a DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) program on the applied modelling, data analytics and bioinformatics for decision support systems in health.

Just last year, Zython graduated from the University of Oxford with a Master of Science in Modelling for Global Health. His dissertation profiled the disease burden, impact of control interventions and the epidemiological dynamics of COVID-19 in Mindanao.

Today, Zython is the Lead Researcher at the Mindanao Center for Disease Watch and Analytics, where his role focuses on enhancing health resilience research efforts. He also teaches Experimental Design and Statistical Methods at UP Mindanao’s Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science.

Here are a few fun facts about Zython:

1. His go-to film is Legally Blonde! The film inspired him to pursue legal studies, but in general he finds it fun to watch.
2. His go-to series are: Grey’s Anatomy, Friends, and How to Get Away With Murder.
3. His go-to coffee shop is Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

Let’s all welcome Zython as the first Pinoy Scientists contributor for 2024!