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.

1. By Prof. Liwayway Memije-Cruz
Famous Filipinos in the
Field of Science

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. • 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
other awards,.

5. 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.

6. • 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.

7. • 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.

8. 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
nations.

9. • 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.

10. Dr. Lilian F. Patena
develops tissue culture
for garlic production.

11. 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.

12. • 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.

13. • 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.

14. • 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.

15. • 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.

16. • 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
conservation of marine-
protected areas