IRAYA - An Interactive Marine Science Flipbook

Photo by Francesco Ungaro

IRAYÁ
AN INTERACTIVE FLIPBOOK OF NOTABLE FILIPINO MARINE SCIENTISTS
AND NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ACADEMICIANS

Prepared by Submitted to

John Mark Garcia Prof. Charina Lyn Repollo



Photo by Oleksandr Pidvalnyi

FOREWORD

The project's title, IRAYÁ, is a Filipino word for upstream, which
pertains to movement against the current or towards the source
of a body of water. What this project seeks to offer to its readers is
a comprehensive deep-dive on the immeasurable
contributions of the pillars and foundational figures of marine
science in the Philippines.

With imminent environmental threats looming in the horizon, it is
imperative for us to gain a firmer grasp of how the country's
marine science bastions paved the way to broader discernments
and explorations of our marine biodiversity and how it can be
conserved and protected.

In this interactive flipbook, six notable Filipino marine scientists
and ten academicians of the National Academy of Science and
Technology are profiled and featured.

Featuring the breathtaking marvels of marine life as background
photographs from cover to cover, this project offers an engaging
and captivating read to understand the breadth of the featured
personalities' impactful contributions and to appreciate the beauty
of the world beneath us in every page.

May this humble project widen your perspectives and strengthen
your grasp of the renowned Filipino experts and scientists who laid
the ground work for the continuously expanding and evolving
discipline of marine science in the country today.

FILSIPCININEOONTATMBILSAETRSINE

VELASQUEZ CRUZ ALCALA

GOMEZ NEMENZO
CONTRIBUTION MAP
TRONO

VIEWING INSTRUCTIONS

Select the image of the scientist or academician
to view their profile.

Click on their photo in their individual profile
page to return to the selection page.

Click the contribution map to view a summary
infographic of their contributions.

Photo by Conor McManus

ALIÑO

AZANZA CONCEPCION

MEÑEZ

MONTAÑO PRIMAVERA

OLIVERA

SANTOS SIRINGAN

VILLANOY

NATIONAACLADAECMAICDIAENMSYOFOTFHSECIENCE
AND TECHNOLOGY

NGARTEIOGNOARLISOCITE.NVTEISLTASQUEZ

BIRTH
2 September 1901

DEATH
16 October 1994

SPECIALIZATION
Ph.D. Phycology

DIVISION
Biological Sciences

EDUCATIONAL BIONOTES
BACKGROUND
Father of Philippine
1939 phycology
He made the first intensive
Ph. D. Botany study of the local
University of Michigan Myxophyceae or bluegreen
algae
1937 Devoted at least 30 years of
productive work in the
M.A. Botany study of Philippine algae
University of Michigan from which he received local
and international recognition
1931

M.S. Botany
University of the Philippines

1925

B.S. Botany
University of the Philippines

Photo by Francesco Ungaro

PHYCOLOGY

Study of algae

MYXOPHYCEAE

Bluegreen algae

CONUS MARINE
SNAIL

CONOTOXINS

Photo by Francesco Ungaro

LNOATUIORNDAELSSCJ.IECNRTUISZT

BIRTH
19 May 1942

SPECIALIZATION
Ph.D. Biochemistry

DIVISION
MPhaythseicmalaSticciaelnacneds

EDUCATIONAL BIONOTES
BACKGROUND
Pioneered the study of the
1968 biochemistry of
conopeptides from the venom
Ph. D. Biochemistry of fish-hunting Conus marine
University of Iowa snails
Her studies led in part to the
1966 biochemical characterization
of over 50 biologically active
M.S. Biochemistry peptides from Conus venom,
University of Iowa and the development of
conotoxins as biochemical
1962 probes for examining the
activities of the brain
B.S. Chemistry UP Diliman Emeritus at UPMSI
University of the Philippines

NAANTGIOENLACL S. ACILENCTAISLTA

BIRTH
1 March 1929

SPECIALIZATION
Ph.D. Biological Sciences

DIVISION
Biological Sciences

EDUCATIONAL BIONOTES
BACKGROUND
Conducted extensive
1995 research on Philippine
amphibians and reptiles since
Doctor of Humanities the mid-1950s
(honoris causa) Founded the Silliman Marine
Xavier University Laboratory
Instrumental in the
1966 establishment of the first
marine protected area in the
Ph. D. Biological Sciences Philippines
Stanford University Served as secretary of the
Department of Environment
1960 and Natural Resources

M.A. Biological Sciences
Stanford University

1951

B.S. Biology
(magna cum laude)
Silliman University

Photo by Vladislav Vasnetsov

UNIVESRILSLITIMYAMNARINE
LABORATORY

SUMILON ISLAND
MARINE SANCTUARY

First marine protected
area in the Philippines

PHILIPPINE
MARINE

ECOSYSTEMS

UP MARINE SCIENCE
INSTITUTE

University of the Philippines - Diliman

Photo by Francesco Ungaro

EDGNAATRIODNOADL S. GCIOENMTEISZT

BIRTH
7 November 1983

SPECIALIZATION
Ph.D. Marine Biology

DIVISION
Biological Sciences

EDUCATIONAL BIONOTES
BACKGROUND
Recognized for his outstanding
1973 researches on marine
ecosystems which became the
Ph. D. Marine Biology bases for management of the
University of California - San conservation programs for the
Diego (Scripps Institution of country's marine resources
Oceanography) Most notable among his
researches have been on coral
1967 reef ecology and conservation,
reestablishment of giant clam
M.Sc. Biology stocks, and marine science
St. Mary's University capacity enhancement
Father of the Marine Science
1962 Institute, University of the
Philippines Diliman
B.A/B.S. Ed. Social Science/
English
De La Salle University

NGAATVIOINNOALCS.CTIERNOTINSTO

BIRTH
30 November 1924

SPECIALIZATION
Ph.D. Marine Botany,
TSaanexadowCneuoelmtduyBr,eiEocdoivloegrsyity,

DIVISION
Biological Sciences

EDUCATIONAL BIONOTES
BACKGROUND
Successfully developed pond and
1968 open-water culture technologies
and management of stocks of
Ph. D. Botany (Marine) economically important
University of Hawaii seaweed species of the
Philippines such as Euchema/
1961 Kappaphycus, Gracilaria and
Caulerpa and Sargassum which
M.S. Agricultural Botany benefited seaweed farmers in
Araneta University coastal areas in the country
Authored the “Field Guide and
1954 Atlas of the Seaweed Resources
of the Philippines”, the most
B.S. Botany authoritative books on the
University of the Philippines seaweed floral resources of the
country today
UP Diliman Emeritus at UPMSI

Photo by Marcus Lange

KAEPUPCAHPEHMYAC/US
“FIELD GUIDE
AND ATLAS

OF THE
SEAWEED
RESOURCES

OF THE
PHILIPPINES”

CORAL
TAXONOMY

CORALS IN THE
PHILIPPINES

Photo by Tom Fisk

FRANCISCO NPEROMFEESNSZOOR

EXPERTISES
Zoology

Coral Taxonomy

EDUCATIONAL BIONOTES
BACKGROUND
Father of Philippine Coral
1981 Taxonomy
Meticulously described and
Doctor of Science catalogued over 375
(honoris causa) species of corals, including
University of the Philippines 94 new species and five
new varieties
M.A. Zoology

University of Michigan

M.S. Zoology

University of the Philippines

B.S. Zoology (summa cum
laude)

University of the Philippines

Photo by Leonid Danilov

DPOOCRTFOIRRIO ALIÑO

BIRTH
27 February 1958

SPECIALIZATION
Ph.D. Marine
Chemical Ecology

DIVISION
Biological Sciences

EDUCATIONAL BIONOTES
BACKGROUND
Recognized for his important
1989 accomplishments as a
marine ecologist in
Ph.D. Marine Chemical investigating the nature of
Ecology patterns and processes in
James Cook University coral reefs and associated
ecosystems in the country
1983 UPMSI Faculty

M.Sc. Marine Biology
University of the Philippines

1978

B.Sc. Marine Biology
University of the Philippines

Photo by Jiří Mikoláš

RHODORA V. AZDAOCNTZOAR

BIRTH
26 January 1951

SPECIALIZATION
Ph.D. Botany

DIVISION
Biological Sciences

EDUCATIONAL BIONOTES
BACKGROUND
Pioneered the studies on
1986 toxic dinoflagellate species
responsible for Paralytic
Ph.D. Botany Shellfish Poisoning in the
University of the Philippines Philippines
UP Diliman Emeritus at
1979 UPMSI

M.S. Botany
University of the Philippines

1972

B.S. Botany
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng
Maynila

Photo by Rachel Claire

DGOISCETOLAR P. CONCEPCION

BIRTH
7 November 1954

SPECIALIZATION
(PaPCnhrho.dDedB.muMicoiatsmsrt,irenyBde)iiocNcaahlteSumcriaeislntcryes

DIVISION
Biological Sciences

EDUCATIONAL BIONOTES
BACKGROUND
Identified and characterized
1995 marine natural products
with anti-cancer, anti-
Ph.D. Chemistry bacterial, anti-tuberculosis,
University of the Philippines - antimalarial, anti-
Diliman inflammatory and
immunosuppressant
1982 properties
UP Diliman Emeritus at
M.S. Biochemistry UPMSI
University of the Philippines -
Manila

1975

B.S. Chemistry
University of the Philippines -
Diliman

Photo by Jiří Mikoláš

MARIE ANTONETTE J. MDOECÑTEOZR

BIRTH
12 October 1959

SPECIALIZATION
Ph.D. Marine Biology

DIVISION
Biological Sciences

EDUCATIONAL BIONOTES
BACKGROUND
Worked in the
1991 phylogeography and
fisheries of lobsters, sea
Ph.D. Biological Science urchins, sea cucumbers
University of Rhode Island and giant clams
UPMSI Faculty
1986

M.S. Marine Biology
University of the Philippines

1981

B.S. Marine Science
University of the Philippines

Photo by Diogo Brandao

MDOACRTOCRO NEMESIO E. MONTAÑO

BIRTH
24 April 1951

SPECIALIZATION
Ph.D. Biological
Chemistry

DIVISION
Mathematical and
Physical Sciences

EDUCATIONAL BIONOTES
BACKGROUND
Characterized Philippine
1991 natural grade carageenan,
agars from different
Ph.D. Biological Chemistry seaweeds, effects of seasonal
Griffith University variations on agar
composition and quality,
1982 stability and post-harvest
characteristics, alginates and
M.S. Chemistry by-products such as seaweed
University of the Philippines fertilizers and ink for the
textile industry
1979 Former UPMSI Faculty

Postgraduate Diploma in
Marine Pollution
Chemistry
University of Liverpool

B.S. Chemistry

University of San Carlos

Photo by Los Muertos Crew

BALDOMERO M. OLDIOVCETROAR

BIRTH
29 July 1941

SPECIALIZATION
Ph.D. Biochemistry

DIVISION
MPhaythseicmalaSticciaelnacneds

EDUCATIONAL BIONOTES
BACKGROUND
Identified the complex
1968 nature of the neurotoxic
venoms of marine snails at
Post-Doctorate in the physical, biochemical
Biochemistry and molecular levels
Stanford University Identified the first marine
drug named Prialt that is
1965 used for intractable pain

Ph.D. Biophysical
Chemistry
California Institute of
Technology

1959

B.S. Chemistry
University of the Philippines

Photo by Guillaume Meurice

JDUORCGTOERNNE H. PRIMAVERA

BIRTH
22 February 1947

SPECIALIZATION
Ph.D. Marine Science

DIVISION
Biological Sciences

EDUCATIONAL BIONOTES
BACKGROUND
Focused on the aquaculture
1996 of marine shrimp, the
science-based utilization
Ph.D. Marine Science and conservation of
University of the Philippines mangroves, and critically
important beach forest
1969 ecosystem

M.A. Zoology
Indiana University

1966

B.S. Zoology
University of the Philippines

Photo by Rachel Claire

MUDJEKEEWIS D. SADONCTTOOSR

BIRTH
7 June 1971

SPECIALIZATION
Ph.D. AppBliioesdcMieanrcinees

DIVISION
Agricultural Sciences

EDUCATIONAL BIONOTES
BACKGROUND
Advanced the fisheries
2008 science and governance in
the Philippines, particularly
Ph.D. Applied Marine in the areas of aquatic
Biosciences species genetics, molecular
Tokyo University of Marine immunology, assessment,
Science and Technology biodiversity

2005

M.S. Aquatic Biosciences
Tokyo University of Marine
Science and Technology

1992

B.S. Biology
University of the Philippines
- Baguio

Photo by Daniel Torobekov

FDEOCRTNOARNDO P. SIRINGAN

BIRTH
11 February 1962

SPECIALIZATION
Ph.D. Geology

DIVISION
PMhaytshiecmalaStcicieanl acensd

EDUCATIONAL BIONOTES
BACKGROUND
Looked at the
1993 environmental changes
and processes from
Ph.D Geology geological to historical
Rice University time scales, coastal-plain
subsidence and its link to
1988 worsening floods and a new
field, the submarine
M.S. Geology groundwater discharge
University of the Philippines UPMSI Faculty

1983

B.S. Geology
University of the Philippines

Photo by Francesco Ungaro

CESAR L. VILLDAOCNTOOYR

BIRTH
9 July 1960

SPECIALIZATION
Ph.D. Physical
Oceanography

DIVISION
Mathematical and
Physical Sciences

EDUCATIONAL BIONOTES
BACKGROUND

Ph.D. Physical Among the pioneers in
Oceanography physical oceanography that
have contributed to an
University of Sydney understanding of ocean
circulation and variability
Ms.C. Physical of the seas around and
Oceanography within the Philippines
UPMSI Faculty
University of Sydney

BS.C Zoology

University of the Philippines
- Los Baños



Photo by James Lee

REFERENCES

Distel, D. L., Altamia, M. A., Lin, Z., Shipway, J. R., Han, A., Forteza, I., Antemano, R.,
Limbaco, M. G. J. P., Tebo, A. G., Dechavez, R., Albano, J., Rosenberg, G.,
Concepcion, G. P., Schmidt, E. W., & Haygood, M. G. (2017). Discovery of
chemoautotrophic symbiosis in the giant shipworm Kuphus polythalamia
(Bivalvia: Teredinidae) extends wooden-steps theory. Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences, 114(18). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1620470114
FlipScience. (2019, June 27). Dr. Lourdes J. Cruz: The Pinay biochemist who
studied a deadly snail. https://www.flipscience.ph/news/features-news/
features/national-scientist-lourdes-j-cruz/
GMA News Online. (2014, September 10). INTERACTIVE MAP: Pinoy scientists
plot the country’s aquatic riches. Yahoo! News. https://ph.news.yahoo.com/
interactive-map-pinoy-scientists-plot-countrys-aquatic-riches-093906201.html?
guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_r
eferrer_sig=AQAAAAEFLXIlBTuVdlOrKbcpiODfw9zmoHMcoFYY_ENAzBxqpIBP_pc
VfYqWWWtb1ytjHSNTAsr21crilHGFchEzMPjnlXD0-
AcvpuUSnCMkT2In9BUn9gjzT5LpbnH3ciD0TVc0kSlYKrPqX2QpGrkhl2th4XCdpM
grT5Bjwpgj75fF
National Academy of Science and Technology. (n.d.). List of
National Scientist. https://members.nast.ph/index.php/list-of-national-scientist
National Academy of Science and Technology. (n.d.). NAST Members. https://
members.nast.ph/index.php/list-of-nast-members?
resetfilters=0&clearordering=0&clearfilters=0
Nemenzo, F. (2018). Philippine Corals. De La Salle University. https://
www.dlsu.edu.ph/research-1/centers/shore/coenomap/
The University of Utah. (2019). Baldomero M. Olivera - Home - Faculty Profile -
The University of Utah. https://faculty.utah.edu/u0034901-
BALDOMERO_M_OLIVERA/hm/index.hml

Photo by Francesco Ungaro

People ask: why should I care
about the ocean? Because the
ocean is the cornerstone of
Earth's life support system, it
shapes climate and weather. It

holds most of life on Earth.
97% of Earth's water is there.

It's the blue heart of the
planet — we should take

care of our heart.

SYLVIA ALICE EARLE

American marine biologist

Photo by Francesco Ungaro

© 2022 JOHN MARK GARCIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.