Pinoy Scientists

Angelico “Anjo” Obille is a PhD researcher at the University of Toronto, Canada Institute of Biomedical Engineering, reverse-engineering natural materials to find solutions to some sticky biomedical engineering challenges. They are studying wet adhesion mechanisms utilized by freshwater mussels (Dreissena sp.)

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.

Gregor Ethan Posadas is a Master’s student and graduate research assistant at the Boise State College of Engineering, United States studying how delivering high concentration dissolved oxygen to wastewater treatment bioreactors affects plant performance.

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.

Gabrielle Leung is working on her PhD in Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University (CSU) in the USA. She has just successfully defended her dissertation entitled “Aerosol and Land Surface Impacts on Tropical Convective Processes.”

Viviene Marie Dela Cruz is an engineer and scientist pursuing her PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom with a specialization in Space-Ground Laser Communications. She did optical fiber sensor system design at her alma mater until 2023 and worked as a researcher at Durham University in 2024.

Jasper Kit Tangal is a Registered Fisheries Professional currently taking up his Masters of Science in Fishery Science and Technology at the Department of Aquaculture of Kasetsart University, Thailand. He is a part of the Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Health Management, the Center of Excellence in Aquatic Animal Health Management, and the Special Research Incubator Unit for Development and Application of Vaccine Delivery Systems for Aquatic Animals.

Gabriel Gallardo, PhD is a product manager for quantum computing at Riverlane, United Kingdom. His doctoral research revolved around looking for dark matter through the ATLAS Experiment where he led the development and re-write of Python/C++ big data analysis frameworks for thousands of researchers on the project.

Alexis “Alex” Achacoso is a chemist and PhD student at the University of Debrecen, Hungary studying smart probes for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). He was awarded the Academic Achievement Award by the Philippine Embassy in Budapest, and the Medallion of Excellence by the University of Debrecen – Faculty of Science and Technology.

Chimira N. Andres is a PhD Earth & Space Science & Engineering student at York University, Canada. She also works with both the European (ESA) and Canadian (CSA) Space Agencies.

John Michael “Mike” Ausejo is a licensed geologist, chemical volcanologist, and MPhil-PhD Earth Sciences student at The University of Hong Kong. He is studying the petrology, geochemistry, and timescales of Taal deposits from the volcanic eruption of 2020.

Princess Aira Buma-at is a pre-Cambrian paleontologist taking her PhD at the Department of Zoology and University Museum of Zoology in Cambridge. She is studying Ediacaran macro and microfossils to understand how life evolved in its earliest stages.

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.

Herdeline Ann Ardoña, PhD is a materials chemist that specializes in developing biomaterials, bioelectronics, and biosensors. With numerous publications and a patent under her belt, she heads the Ardoña Research Group where they develop macromolecular-based materials that serve as sensors and modulators for various biological processes.

Janina Carla Castro is a science communicator with a history in environmental science and sustainability. Some recent science communication work she has done include curating the “Making the Invisible Visible” pop up exhibition at the University of the Philippines about bird window collision, and working with the Ocean Media Institute for the making of the short film “I Am Ocean” about fisherfolk in Palawan.

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.

Roberth Riggs Rondilla, a college instructor of Chemistry at Southern Luzon State University and a PhD student at the University of Strathclyde, UK currently taking up a degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

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.