Field
Location (during time of takeover)
School/Institution
| Undergrad | De La Salle University Physics (specialization in Computer Electronics) |
|---|---|
| Masters | De La Salle University Physics |
| Teaching | De La Salle University - Dasmariñas |
| PhD | National Central University Space Science |
| Postdoc | National Central University |
| Teaching | Mapua Institute Of Technology Physics |
Featured on August 3, 2025
Radio in to get to know our Pinoy Scientist for this week, Dr. Ernest Macalalad of the Philippine Space Agency. He 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.
Ernest completed his Bachelor of Physics with a specialization in Computer Electronics at De La Salle University Manila, graduating with honors. He remained at the university for his Master of Science in Physics, exploring the field of space weather with his thesis examining atmospheric turbidity using a sunphotometer over Manila. He completed the degree with honors in 2006, after which he worked as an Assistant Professor for a few years at De La Salle University Dasmariñas. After his stint teaching, he moved to Taiwan to study at the National Central University Graduate Institute of Space Science. Ernest graduated with a PhD in Space Science in 2014. He spent a year in Taiwan working as a postdoctoral fellow at his alma mater before returning to the Philippines where he began teaching at Mapúa University as an Associate Professor. He eventually also became the BS Physics Program Coordinator.
Ernest began working at the Philippine Space Agency earlier this year, where he is a Chief Science Research Specialist for the Interdisciplinary Space Missions Development Division. He has also continued his work as a Professorial Lecturer at Mapúa.
Some fun facts about Ernest:
- He’s on a lifelong mission to find the most authentic carbonara in the Philippines — no cream allowed. If you know a good one, send the details his way!
- He finds peace in working with his hands — whether it’s painting, crafting, or building intricate 3D metal models that test both patience and precision.
- He’s a certified coffee purist — He only drinks it black, but he’s somehow collected a small museum of brewing gear: from French press and moka pot to Vietnamese drip and espresso machine. Each one has its moment.
