Philippines
COAST Card- Philippines is made up of researchers from the National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines.
See the list below for more information on this team.
Dr. Rhodora Azanza
Dr. Rhodora Azanza is recognized for her pioneering work on seaweeds and harmful algal blooms, coastal environment management, and seafood safety in the Philippines. Her significant contributions and accomplishments in the field of biology and ecology of harmful microalgae, specifically her pioneering studies on toxic dinoflagellate species responsible for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning in the Philippines. Her original study in culturing the dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamanse var. compressum, the main Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning causative organism in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia, has paved the way in opening opportunities for further studies on the biology and eco-physiology of the dinoflagellate. Such studies have led to the identification of the factors that affect the occurrence of algal blooms and have contributed to the design and implementation of proactive strategies that can mitigate the harmful effects of red tides and other algal blooms. Thus, negative socio-economic impacts especially on the coastal people have been minimized, if not prevented.
Dr. Hildie Maria Nacorda
Education :
BS Fisheries (Inland Fisheries), University of the Philippines in the Visayas–College of Fisheries, 1983
MS Marine Science, University of the Philippines Diliman–Marine Science Institute, 1997
PhD, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Delft, The Netherlands, 2008
Dr. Hildie Maria Nacorda teaches aquatic and marine science and currently pursues research on the biodiversity of coastal zones and the deep sea, with a focus on soft bottom (sediment) ecology, behavior of marine invertebrates, invertebrate-seagrass interactions, seagrass ecosystems, and aspects related to coastal resources management.
Dr. Gil Jacinto
Dr. Lourdes Cruz
Co-Project Leader for the Philippines Team and will help facilitate knowledge exchange between the Philippines Project Team and stakeholders and the Project Consortia, and will serve as the internal evaluator for the Philippines Team. She will coordinate the project workshop that will be held during Year 2 in the Philippines. As Executive Director of Future Earth Philippines, she has extensive stakeholder connections.
Dr. Amaryllis Torres
Amaryllis Tiglao-Torres, Ph.D. (psychology), is a Professor Emeritus, at College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines and Executive Director, Philippine Social Science Council. She taught psychology early in her career but later shifted to applied social sciences: Community Development (CD), Women’s Studies, and Social Development Studies. Amar Torres has completed research and publications relevant to the disciplines of Community Development, Child Labor, Gender and Women’s Studies, Philippine Psychology, and Social Psychology. She has designed and provided training and technical assistance on gender mainstreaming for national agencies, international organizations, Southeast Asian governments, and local government units.
Dr. Eugene Herrera
Education:
PhD in Engineering (Mechanical and Environmental Informatics), Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2010
MS Civil Engineering (Water Resources), University of the Philippines Diliman, 2003
BS Civil Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman, 2000
Dr. Ariel Blanco
Dr. Deo Florence Onda
Dr. Onda is connected with the UPMSI’s Microbial Oceanography Laboratory, and is known for his research on host-symbiont interactions, microbial biogeography, diversity, dynamics and trophic interactions, and consequences of changing conditions. He has participated in a number of scientific expeditions, such as the Joint Ocean Ice Studies and Beaufort Gyre Exploration Project. He received multiple grants from different institutions and programs for his research, along with internships and further training abroad.
Dr. Deo Florence Onda, UP microbial oceanographer, and Mr. Victor Vescovo, American undersea explorer, check in from the bottom of Emden Deep during their historic first crewed descent into the third deepest point on Earth. Watch the video on Dr. Onda’s Facebook page.
Dr. Cesar Villanoy
Dr. Cesar L. Villanoy was recognized for his significant research contributions in the field of physical oceanography that have contributed to an understanding of ocean circulation and variability of the seas around and within the Philippines. For his proactive and science-based approach toward addressing the concerns of the country, particularly in fisheries, harmful algal blooms, storm surges, and other complex dynamics of archipelagic oceanography. He participated in international research initiatives that have enriched our understanding of our own archipelagic waters. His studies on storm surges have recommended strategic solutions to prevent potential problems. His research reminds us to always consider the processes that determine our physical environment in order to explain the ecology of organisms and the observed trends.
Dr. Maria Lourdes San Diego-McGlone
Professor Maria Lourdes San Diego-McGlone is a former director of UPMSI. She studies nutrient biogeochemistry in coastal systems, marine pollution, and environmental impacts of aquaculture/mariculture and ocean acidification. She will serve as the external evaluator for the Philippines Team.
Dr. Annette Juinio-Menez
Professor Marie Antonette Juinio-Meñez is a former director of UPMSI. She specializes in invertebrate ecology and culture and coastal resources management and will serve as the lead in developing teaching and training modules for local adaptations.
Dr. Charissa Ferrera
Dr. Charissa Ferrera is involved in transdisciplinary research on water quality and sustainable use of coastal and groundwater resources. During her stay, she is working with Prof. Ryuichi Shinjo, LINKAGE Project Leader, to introduce the socio-environmental report cards as one of the tools to bridge the different units of the adaptive governance framework. She will also be exploring environmental justice and obstacles to behavioral change toward the improvement of the natural systems unit while being involved in discussions on methods to trace pollutant sources in coral reefs and adjacent aquatic systems.
Dr. Emma E. Porio
Professor, Sociology & Anthropology Department | Project Leader, Coastal Cities at Risk in the Philippines. Porio's research and publications focus on climate and disaster risks in relation to social-cultural vulnerability, risk governance, and community well-being and resilience.
Dr. Laura T. David
Dr. Laura T. David is recognized of her multi-disciplinary study in shallow water and coastal oceanography. Her research involves looking into ocean productivity and diversity as it relates to physico-chemical characteristics and looking at how human activities on land and sea affect the coastal areas and our vulnerability to global climate change. Her research, as well as, her involvement as an invited lecturer in international workshops on coastal biogeochemical budgets and ocean remote sensing has earned her nomination and appointment to two international scientific committees and a co-chairmanship in the Remote Sensing Working Group of the World Bank/Global Environmental Facility sponsored international research on Coral Reefs. Since 1998, she has been continuously developing and teaching a graduate course on “Coastal Ocean Remote Sensing and Image Analysis” at UP MSI to spark local interest in using remote sensing in marine science research.
Rico Ancog
Aside from being a dean and professor, Dr. Ancog is also the head of the Ecosystem Services and Environmental Policy (ESEP) Research Laboratory, the managing editor of the Journal of Environmental Science and Management (JESAM), Board Secretary of the Philippine Network of Educators on Environment (PNEE), and the district chair of the environment protection committee of Rotary District 3820.
Dr. Ancog’s research projects concentrate on the systematic understanding of socio-ecological systems for efficient resource conservation and resilience. He specializes in environmental science and environmental economics to see how development and environmental protection can be balanced.
He applies his research by extending a hand to government agencies for various projects. He was a consultant in the initial development of the Philippine Mangrove Systems Accounts of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). He also helped analyze the Coastal Resources Management (CRM) programs of 24 selected local government units around the country, especially on efficiency and financing.
Dr. Mudjie Santos (NFRDI)
Mudjekeewis Dalisay Santos is a Filipino fisheries scientist and marine biologist at the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI). He was the first Career Scientist to have been conferred the Scientist V rank by the Scientific Career System. In July 2018, he was elected and conferred as an academician member of the National Academy of Science and Technology of the Philippines (NAST-PHL). He is also the president of the Philippine Society in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology since 2022. His fields of interest in fisheries science are genetics, resource assessment, aquatic biodiversity, biotechnology, climate change adaptation, and policy.
Dr. Ronald Mendoza
Dr. Mendoza has an extensive background in international development policy and international cooperation, with a resumé that includes work with the United Nations, the Asian Institute of Management and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
Dr. Mendoza has collaborated with government officials, academics and representatives of the private and nonprofit sectors to advance reforms that could improve human development, reduce poverty, and elicit more inclusive economic and political development.
He has carried out research, technical assistance engagements and missions to developing countries including Ethiopia, Mongolia, Senegal, Thailand, Turkey, Kyrgyz Republic and Ukraine. Before joining the Ateneo School of Government, Dr. Mendoza was also an associate professor of economics at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), where he also served as executive director of the AIM Rizalino S. Navarro Policy Center for Competitiveness. Working with a team of young researchers at AIM, he crafted and managed policy research on development issues relevant to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Together with Ateneo researchers, he co-authored a study on the impact of political dynasties on poverty and underdevelopment in the Philippine countryside. Dr. Mendoza also worked with Ateneo, La Salle, the University of the Philippines and an international group of researchers on Building Inclusive Democracies in ASEAN (Anvil Press, 2015), which won the Outstanding Book Award for 2016 from the Philippine National Academy of Science and Technology.