Dr. Rod Allan A. De Lara is the Campus Director of the Philippine Science High School – Main Campus. He officially assumed office in January 2025 and currently leads the flagship campus of the Philippine Science High School System in Diliman, Quezon City. An educator and academic leader, Dr. De Lara has long been involved in advancing science education, research, and innovation within the PSHS System. Under his leadership, the Main Campus continues to strengthen programs in STEM education, student development, and innovation initiatives, including the recent launch of the campus’ Technology Transfer and Licensing Office and its first Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.
Dr. Ronnalee N. Orteza, is the Executive Director of the Philippine Science High School System. She served the PSHS Ilocos Region Campus as Special Science Teacher I (Mathematics) in 2004 and then then went on to become the campus's SMT Department Head, Student Services Division Coordinator, Curriculum and Instruction Services Division Chief and, eventually, Campus Director in 2015. Under her leadership, Pisay Ilocos was conferred the Philippine Quality Award Level 2 (Recognition for proficiency in Quality Management) in 2021, the first secondary school in the country to achieve such feat.
Dr. Orteza graduated cum laude and Student Leader of the Year in 2001 from Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-Southern La Union Campus in Agoo, La Union, where she took up Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Mathematics. She finished Master of Arts in Technological Education major in Mathematics in 2003 and her PhD in Technological Education Management minor in Development Administration in 2008, both from Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-Graduate College in the City of San Fernando, La Union. Dr. Orteza also completed the Diploma in Development Management program at the Development Academy of the Philippines with honors in 2020 and Master of Arts major in Applied Statistics from Benguet State University in La Trinidad, Benguet in 2023.
Dr. Orteza is a multi-awarded government official having been awarded the 2023 Civil Service Commission (CSC) Pagasa Award, the Gantimpala Agad Award conferred by CSC Regional Office 1 in 2020, the Outstanding Employee Award (Executive Level) conferred by PSHS System in 2021, the Special Award conferred by PSHS System (2023) and the Career Executive Service Eligibility (CESE) by CSC in 2023.
Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. is currently the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). He was the agency's Undersecretary for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change, Undersecretary for Scientific and Technological Services, and Chief of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology before his appointment as secretary.
Dr. Solidum is a geologist with a BS Geology degree from the University of the Philippines. He finished his M.Sc. in Geological Sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago and his Ph.D. in Earth Sciences from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego. In recognition of his contributions to disaster risk reduction in the Philippines, Dr. Solidum has been awarded the Presidential Citation for Public Service, the Presidential Lingkod Bayan (Civil Servant) Award by the Civil Service Commission, the Professional of the Year in the field of geology by the Professional Regulation Commission, the Excellence Award for Government Service by the Philippine Federation of Professional Associations, and the Presidential Career Executive Service Award by the Career Executive Service Board.
Dr. Padolina is a distinguished Filipino scientist, educator, and research administrator. He is an Academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology and served as Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology from 1994 to 1999. Dr. Padolina is recognized for his significant contributions to chemistry, biotechnology, science policy, and research development in the Philippines. Throughout his career, he has held key leadership roles in academe and government, helping advance science, technology, and innovation for national development.
PLENARY SPEAKERS
National Institute for Science and Mathematics
Education Development
University of the Philippines
Research, Policy, and Academics Division
Philippine Science High School System
Philippine Science High School - Cordillera Administrative Region Campus in Baguio City
Philippine Science High School - Cordillera Administrative Region Campus in Baguio City
CLOSING
Usec. Sahagun currently serves as the Undersecretary for Scientific and Technological Services. Prior to this role, she held significant positions within the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), including Assistant Secretary for Finance and Strategic Planning and Director of the Planning and Evaluation Service. Usec. Sahagun's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Masters in Technology Management, both from the University of the Philippines Diliman. Demonstrating a long-standing commitment to academic excellence, Sahagun was a DOST scholar from secondary school (PISAY Scholar) through undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
Deputy Executive Director, Philippine Science High School System
Dr. Shena Faith M. Ganela is an accomplished educator, curriculum leader, and academic administrator currently serving as Deputy Executive Director of the Philippine Science High School System (PSHS). With over three decades of experience in education, she has dedicated her career to advancing excellence in teaching, curriculum development, and science education leadership. She earned her Bachelor of Secondary Education (Magna Cum Laude) from West Visayas State University, a Master of Education in English as a Second Language from the University of the Philippines Visayas, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education major in Curriculum Development from West Visayas State University.
Prior to her current role, Dr. Ganela served as Director III of the Philippine Science High School – Western Visayas Campus for more than twelve years, where she championed innovative programs that strengthened academic excellence and institutional development. Her exemplary leadership and contributions to education have earned her numerous distinctions, including the 2023 School Director of the Year Award, the 2009 Metrobank Outstanding Teacher Award, and multiple Outstanding Employee and Teaching Performance Awards.
A respected advocate for educational innovation and leadership development, Dr. Ganela continues to inspire educators and learners through her commitment to quality education, strategic planning, and curriculum transformation in the Philippine education system.