John Michael Ausejo

Featured on March 9, 2025

Here to give us an explosive look into his life as a scientist is Pinoy Scientist John Michael “Mike” Ausejo, a licensed geologist, chemical volcanologist, and MPhil-PhD Earth Sciences student at The University of Hong Kong.

Mike finished his Bachelor of Science in Geology at Negros Oriental State University. Throughout his undergrad, he served as a teaching assistant to several classes and was an intern at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau. He took the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Geologists Licensure Examination in 2021, placing fourth overall. Continuing his studies at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, he graduated with a M.Sc. in Geology just last year and spent his spare time as a part-time instructor at both his alma mater and Siliman University. He joined the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences in the last year of his Master’s degree as a University Research Associate-I.

Mike has just begun his MPhil-PhD Earth Sciences degree at the University of Hong Kong as a Postgraduate Scholarship (PGS) and Belt and Road Scholarship Awardee. He is studying the petrology, geochemistry, and timescales of Taal deposits from the volcanic eruption of 2020.

Some fun facts about Mike:

• He is a Jordanian-Spanish-German-Filipino born in Dumaguete City, raised in Maco, Davao de Oro, and based in Hong Kong. Prior to living in Hong Kong,he lived with his parents and siblings in Tanauan City, Batangas which is closer to the active Taal volcano.
• He loves plane spotting. He can always guess the airline’s name based on its livery. He has a humble collection of die-cast metal airplanes as well.
• He likes dark and plain colors such as navy blue, black, olive green, charcoal gray, and white with basic and minimal prints on shirts.