Pinoy Scientists in the Philippines

Dr. Izrael Zenar Bautista is a licensed Electronics Engineer and a Chief Science Research specialist at the Philippine Space Agency’s Space Mission and Control Operation Division. He specializes in satellite engineering and operations.

Dr. James Cesar “Jace” Refran is the Supervising Science Research Specialist at the Earth Sciences Space Mission Studies Division of PhilSA. He is currently studying the utilization of space technologies for hazard preparedness in the country.

Dr. Ernest Macalalad of the Philippine Space Agency is a Chief Science Research Specialist at the agency’s Interdisciplinary Space Missions Development Division and a professor at the Mapúa University Department of Physics.

Paige Magtaan is a public school science teacher at Kapt. Jose Cardones Integrated School. She is a school science coordinator and a Journalism Trainer, with a focus on science news.

The D&C Research Group is an interdisciplinary hub committed to advancing data-driven astrophysics, computational physics, and data science for social good. Their research includes observational to gravitational wave astronomy, physics-informed machine learning methods, and data science for social good.

Ara Joy Pacoma is a Science and Technology (S&T) Fellow at the Department of Science and Technology and a soon-to-be PhD graduate from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand for Environment, Development, and Sustainability. She is currently working on the Community Empowerment Thru Science & Technology Program and the Smart and Sustainable Communities Program.

Rebecca “Becca” Georgia Yu is a graphic designer and science communicator who specializes in marine science. She is a freelance designer and a Research Associate at the Marine Science Institute (MSI), University of the Philippines.

Rhowell N. Tiozon, Jr. PhD is an International Consultant at the International Rice Research Institute – Philippines. He graduated last year as Summa Cum Laude after defending his thesis on the genetic diversity of pigmented rice and its nutritional benefits.

Jazz Ong is a wildlife educational speaker, herpetologist, and conservationist with the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity and LIGHT TV. Her primary work however is as the founder and director of Wildlife Matters.

Ramir Seraphim Angeles is a bike enthusiast whose work as a sustainable transport planner and Civil Engineer has involved, among other things, the development of bike routes and public transportation infrastructure in cities. His company collects and processes transport data for clients in both the government and private sector.

Cathy Manalo is an NGO worker focused on countermapping and human rights. She believes in employing participatory methods and collective work to further scientific knowledge and in using science to advance human rights.

Maria Elena Grace “Meggy” Katigbak is a Gender Specialist and Feminist Researcher-Writer working for various International Development Organizations as a researcher and consultant. She is also a fellow for Women of the South Speak Out (WOSSO), tackling unpaid care work in the Philippines.

Dr. Keith Nealson “Keano” Penado is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Physics, Ateneo de Manila University. His work with plasma first studied its effect on rice seed germination, then its use in the pyrolysis of polystyrene.

Dr. Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr. is the first and current Director General (DG) of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA). He is a Full Professor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. As the PhilSA DG, he also holds the rank of Cabinet Secretary and is the Presidential Adviser on Space Matters.

Ma. Criselda “Dang” Baldago is a licensed geologist and Science Research Specialist at the Philippine Space Agency. She uses satellite radar data to observe ground movements. This provides insight into ground subsidence, earthquake and volcano deformation, flooding, and urban changes, among others.

John Paul “JP” Almonte is a licensed Electronics Engineer and Senior Science Research Specialist at the Space Mission Control and Operations Division of the Philippine Space Agency. He manages the operations of satellite ground stations and the Philippine microsatellite Diwata-2.

A geologist by training, Dr. Likha Minimo is a faculty member of the Science and Society Program (SSP) of the College of Science, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. She teaches Science, Technology and Society (STS) and Disaster Risk Mitigation, Adaptation, and Preparedness Strategies (DRMAPS).

Kristine Jane Atienza is an analog astronaut and registered nutritionist-dietitian with the Space Generation Advisory Council. She has participated in a number of studies about how nutrition affects astronaut physiology and psychology for analog missions such as Asclepios, CHILL-ICE, and LunAres.

Rene Principe Jr. is an instructor at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, where they are also taking up their PhD in Physics. Their Master’s thesis gathered insights into post-disaster behavior using geospatial data analytics in Python to analyze nighttime lights.

Timothy James Cipriano is a geographer working as a researcher with AGHAM, taking on projects focused on the political ecology of coasts and rivers, disaster science, and environmental change, among others.