REINA REYES

Bio

Bio
Photo by Pat Rivera (2017)

Reina Reyes is a Filipina scientist, educator, and public speaker. She is an Associate
Professor at the National Institute of Physics in U.P. Diliman. She is also the co-founder of
the Pinoy Scientists platform and the host and resident scientist of “Science Says”, a science
education TV series produced by the Knowledge Channel.

Education:

 Ph.D. in Astrophysics, Princeton University, New Jersey, USA (2011)

 Diploma in High Energy Physics, International Center for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy
(2006)
 B.S. in Physics, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City (2005)
 Philippine Science High School - Main Campus, Quezon City (2001)
Dr. Reina Reyes - National Institute of Physics
It was in 2014 when Dr.
Reinabelle Reyes decided to go
back home to the Philippines and
eventually settle. At the height of
her scientific career abroad, with
her confirming Einstein’s theory
of relativity and making headlines
for her scientific discoveries and
achievements, she questioned
herself,
“What was all of it for?” She was
experiencing a midlife crisis and
wanted to do something more
fulfilling — being a scientist
serving her own country.
Reyes is an astrophysicist and
data scientist who took her PhD in
Astrophysics in Princeton
University after graduating BS
Physics in Ateneo de Manila
University. When she made the
big move from Chicago back to
the country she grew up in, she
found herself slowly moving from
astrophysics to a data science-focused career.
One of the remarkable things she started when she came back was a blog called Pinoy Scientists. Growing up,
she was inspired and encouraged by role models and mentors who greatly influenced the scientist she is today.
She also wanted to do such for the youth and this became her major goal in creating the blog, which eventually
became an Instagram and Facebook blog account where the tagline was “Yes, we exist.” Every week, the
account was taken over by one scientist who would share their research and life stories in their own words and
ways. Additionally, the platform aims for her peers to reach out to a wider audience, voice out, and build
linkages with other scientists. It has been nine years since the creation of Pinoy Scientists but the blog is still
steadily growing over these years, catering to Filipino scientists all over the world.

Currently, Reyes is working with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in the
laboratory called “Pintig Lab,” to apply data science and analytics to developmental problems. As
the lab’s chief technical adviser, she supports and guides the lab’s initiatives to monitor and track
the COVID-19 pandemic and provide data-driven support to DOH, IATF, and other agencies in
their response and recovery efforts. “The [COVID-19] pandemic showed the importance of timely
and accurate data and the need to invest in people who have the skills and mindset to collect,
organize, analyze and present data to decision makers,” says Reyes whose current goal is to
contribute to helping PH achieve the sustainable development goals.

She also used to travel to deliver talks around the

country which was recently diverted into online talks
with today’s current challenges. While still sharing
topics on astrophysics, Reyes is more dedicated to
sharing her experience and knowledge on data science,
hoping to spread its importance to many societal
aspects and of course, to inspire younger generations.
In UP, Reyes is also helping undergraduate and graduate students in addressing societal challenges by way of
research. She believes that faster solutions can be done through accurate and thorough research. Through being
a teacher, she hopes to nurture Pinoy scientists who will have the heart to do scientific research for the
betterment of the country. She is currently an Associate Professor at the National Institute of Physics and heads
the Data & Computation Research Group under the Theoretical Physics Group. The group’s research interests
currently fall under topics in data-driven astronomy— including gravitational wave astronomy and
extragalactic astrophysics— and computational physics and data analysis— including machine learning and
data for social good.

Reyes is open to visiting other countries to give talks

but she expressed that she is happier doing public
service here in the Philippines as a data scientist. She
has worked in many private companies and
government offices here with this specialty and so far,
she is feeling content and satisfied with where she is
now.

“With the connectedness of the world, it is easy for the

youth to gain new knowledge everyday. Use the
resources we have today to satisfy your curious
minds.” These are her words of wisdom to the youth.
She wants to encourage scientists of today to support
the next generation of scientists so that the country
becomes a better place for learning and doing science.

University of the Philippines Diliman

College of Science