Erica Asinas

Featured on March 7, 2022

Start the week right with Pinoy Scientist Erica Asinas, a research scientist and program manager at the Climate Impacts Group of the University of Washington.

Erica graduated with a Bachelor’s in Management, Communications and Technology from the Ateneo de Manila University. She then took up her Master’s in City and Regional Planning at the Pratt Institute in New York City.

During her time in the Big Apple, Erica held various roles. For instance, she was a Climate and Community Fellow at the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance, where she provided technical and capacity-building assistance to frontline communities as well as grew political and public support for climate policies through organization and outreach. Erica also served as a Program Associate at From the Ground Up, Earthjustice and NYC Community Gardens Coalition.

In her current role, Erica conducts social sciences and policy research to support climate adaptation projects. Notably, she is also one of the co-authors of the Northwest chapter of the US Fifth National Climate Assessment, a congressionally-mandated document that assesses current and future climate impacts and mitigation pathways in the US.

Some fun facts about Erica:

1. She never imagined that she would have a career in climate change and climate science. She entered Ateneo de Manila University as a Philosophy major and graduated as a BS ComTech major. She only found her passion for climate, environment, and community resilience later on in life! 
2. She has been a competitive gymnast and dancer all her life! Both inside and outside of work, she believes that we all need creative outlets and space for self-expression! 
3. She is the youngest author on the Northwest chapter of the US Fifth National Climate Assessment. She is one of 13 authors in the Northwest chapter, but there are currently over 300 scientists and professionals around the country working together to publish this document by 2023.