Famous Filipinos in the

Field of Science
By Prof. Liwayway Memije-Cruz
Lee-Chua (2000)
identified 10
outstanding Filipino
scientists who have
made significant
contributions in
Philippine science.
These scientists are
also famous abroad in
different science
disciplines:
agriculture,
mathematics, physics,
medicine marine
science, chemistry,
engineering and
biology.
Dr. Ramon Cabanos
Barba was named a
National Scientist of the
Philippines in 2014 for
inventing a way to induce
flowering in mango trees
regardless of season,
boosting the local mango
industry.
• Dr. Josefino Cacas
Comiso: NASA’s Filipino
physicist
• he has studied many polar
processes and was among
the first researchers to
report dramatic changes in
the Arctic sea ice cover and
accelerated warming at high
latitudes in the Northern
Hemisphere.
• He is a recipient of the
NASA Exceptional
Achievement in Science
Medal (one of the most
prestigious award given to a
NASA scientist) and many
Dr. Jose Bejar Cruz
known internationally
in the field of
engineering and for
outstanding
contributions to the
field of automatic
control in research,
teaching, and service.
• Dr. Lourdes J. Cruz is
lauded for her research
on Conus geographus,
a marine snail found in
the Philippines.
• Working alongside
fellow experts, she
studied the properties
of the snail’s venom,
which were largely
unknown at the time.
• Their research paved
the way toward finding
practical uses for
conotoxins, leading to
breakthroughs in
neuroscience and
medicine.
• Dr.Fabian Millar Dayrit is
known for his
phytochemical work for
the development of
lagundi as part of the
National Integrated
Research Program on
Medicinal Plants.
• He has worked on
other important natural
products, including
medicinal plants,
coconut oil, and
carrageenan. He is
currently focused on the
development of
standardization and
profiling methods for
medicinal plants.
Dr. Rafael D.
Guerrero
was recognized
because of his
scientific and
technical
contributions to the
growth of Sex
Reversal and
Hatchery Techniques
that help the
commercial
fabrication of high
yielding market-size
tilapia in the
Philippines and other
• Dr. Enrique Mapua
Ostrea Jr.
pioneered the use
of meconium in the
testing the mother’s
abuse of drugs
during the course
of pregnancy.
• a Filipino medical
doctor known for
his researches in
pediatrics.
Dr. Lilian F. Patena
develops tissue
culture for garlic
production.
Dr. Mari-Jo Ruiz is
known locally and
internationally as an
expert in graph theory
and operations
research, and her
expertise is valued
not only in the
academe but in
different industries
and sectors as well.
• Dr. Gregory L. Tangonan
Specialties:
• Innovation and Technology
• Intellectual property
strategies for innovators
• International engineering
projects in smart energy
solutions and sustainable
environment and
environmental monitoring.
• High Technology
Competitiveness Analysis
and Leap-frog Strategies
for developing countries.
• Dr. Caesar A. Saloma
received the Galileo
Galilei Award from the
International
Commission for Optics in
recognition of his
significant contributions
in the field of optics that
were accomplished
under comparatively
unfavorable conditions.
• He is the first scientist
from an ASEAN member
country to receive the
Galileo Award.
• Dr. Edgardo D.
Gomez is known for
his pioneering works
and invaluable
contributions to
marine biology,
• Gomez led the
world’s first national-
scale assessment of
damage to coral
reefs, work which
led to him being
conferred the title of
National Scientist of
the Philippines in
2014.
• Dr. William G.
Padolina, professor
and academician, is
the current president
of the National
Academy of Science
and Technology
(NAST).
• His professional career
is truly a rich
convergence of his
roles as scientist,
teacher, researcher,
administrator, and
policy maker.
• Dr. Angel Alcala is a
world-renowned Filipino
ecologist and biologist
with more than 30 years
of contributions to the
field of conservation
biology.
• He was the first scientist
to comprehensively study
the reptiles and
amphibians of the
Philippines, and his
research led to the
identification of more
than 50 new species.
• He was named a
National Scientist of the
Philippines in 2014 for his
research into Philippine
amphibians and reptiles,
as well as the