10 Filipino scientists you should be proud of

Did you know the Philippines has pretty awesome scientists? One of them works with NASA!

Nowadays, the phrase “Pinoy pride” is typically used in an ironic or sarcastic manner—a jab at our tendency to heap praise on anyone with even half a drop of Filipino blood running through their veins. However, that’s not to say that we don’t have much to be proud of. In fact, countless Filipinos have made significant contributions in their respective fields. And of course, science is no exception.

Here are a few Pinoy scientists you can be proud of. One of them works with NASA! Another one works with moths and spiders! And there’s one who works in robotics! 

1. Dr. Emmanuel S. Baja

After pursuing his career abroad, Dr. Baja came home with support from the government’s Balik Scientist program. He focused his research on what causes diseases to spread within a particular environment, spearheading studies that assessed air quality in local hospitals, the impact of pollutants on traffic enforcers’ health, and the benefits of making medical marijuana accessible in the Philippines. He also took the lead in developing Battle in the Blood, a smartphone game that educates Filipinos on HIV testing and treatment. 

2. Dr. Josefino C. Comiso

Dr. Comiso, another Balik Scientist, worked with the United States’ NASA at the Goddard Space Flight Center, and was part of a team of scientists who studied climate change on a massive scale. When he returned to the Philippines in 2018, Dr. Comiso used his knowledge and expertise to help improve forest conservation, agriculture, and environment management in his homeland.

3. Dr. Mercedes B. Concepcion

Dr. Concepcion is often called the “Mother of Asian Demography.” This National Scientist studied data on population trends and composition in seventeen Asian countries, resulting in the creation and implementation of landmark policies across Asia. Dr. Concepcion is recognized as the first Filipina demographer, the first Filipino representative to the United Nations Population Commission, and the first Asian president of the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population.

4. Dr. Lourdes J. Cruz

Another National Scientist, Dr. Cruz is recognized for her groundbreaking research on a type of venomous marine snail in the Philippines. At the time, the snail (Conus geographus) was poorly studied, known only as the bane of fishermen in Marinduque and Mindoro. However, Dr. Cruz and her team were able to determine that amino acids from the snail’s venom (also known as conotoxins) had a variety of significant medical and neuroscientific applications.

5. Dr. Aimee Lynn Dupo

As the curator for moths and spiders at the UP Los Baños Museum of Natural History, Dr. Dupo raises awareness about insects, arachnids, and Philippine biodiversity in general. This fearless entomologist has documented hundreds of arachnid species, including one named after Urduja, the legendary Filipina warrior princess. Understanding that with her great power comes an equally great responsibility, Dr. Dupo is an advocate of conservation efforts in the country.

6. Dr. Jane Gerardo-Abaya

In January 2019, Dr. Gerardo-Abaya was appointed by the International Atomic Energy Agency as the new director of its Department of Technical Cooperation Asia and the Pacific Division. A Filipina scientist based in Vienna, Austria, Dr. Gerardo-Abaya is one of the leading voices in promoting radiation education, and is an advocate of responsible use of nuclear technologies. She was also a part of the Balik Scientist program in 2008.

7. Dr. Rodrigo S. Jamisola, Jr.

Dr. Jamisola, Jr. is yet another Balik Scientist—one who came home with the intent of using robotics for undersea exploration and heritage preservation. He helped set up the Verde Island Passage Center for Oceanographic Research and Aquatic Life Sciences (VIP CORALS) and the LIKHA Fabrication Laboratory, worked on a proposal for autonomous underwater vehicles to be used for exploring the Philippine Rise, and aided in developing a touch kiosk for the Barasoain Museum enhanced with 4D, VR, and hologram technologies.

8. Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, S.J.

Fr. Nebres is a National Scientist who played a significant role in major science and math education initiatives in the Philippines. He established the country’s first professional organization for promoting math research and education, recognized the importance of mathematical finance and scientific computing in the Philippines, and formed the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED) during his tenure as the university’s president.

9. Dr. Rogel Mari Sese

Republic Act 11363 was recently signed into law, establishing the Philippine Space Agency and the Philippine Space Development and Utilization Policy. The primary driving force behind it? Dr. Sese, the program leader of the National Space Development Program (NSDP). Since 2011, this astrophysicist has been working tirelessly, not only on the Space Act, but also on promoting space science in the Philippines.

10. Dr. Aletta Yñiguez

An oceanographer specializing in harmful algal blooms (red tide), Dr. Yñiguez teaches at the UP Diliman Marine Science Institute. With her knowledge of marine ecosystems, Dr. Yñiguez seeks to establish methods that can help in accurately predicting red tide and ensuring the long-term sustainability of fisheries in the Philippines. She was recently selected as one of four honorees under The Many Faces Of The Teacher (TMFT) program.

Learn more about the amazing work people are doing in STEM, in the Philippines and abroad, at the First Integrated STEM Summit in Asia, happening this month in Cebu!

Do you know any other Pinoy scientists? Tell us about them in the comments!