PSHS Alumni Feature

Stories and list of outstanding Philippine Science High School alumni, featuring Dr. Leo Anthony Celi of MIT.

Featured alumnus: Dr. Leo Anthony Celi

Dr. Leo Anthony Celi is widely recognized as the founder and driving leader of MIT Critical Data, the collaborative effort that evolved into initiatives like the MIT Critical Data Consortium. He has led its mission to democratize access to healthcare data, promote open science, and bring together clinicians, data scientists, and researchers globally.

He is a global health leader who directed the team that built and maintains the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC) database, which is the world's most widely used publicly available critical care dataset. As an educator, he has run over 50 data science and medical research datathons across 22 countries, building localized, team-science communities worldwide.

His textbook, Secondary Analysis of Electronic Health Records, has been translated into multiple languages and downloaded over a million times. He is highly recognized for his warnings regarding human bias in AI, advocating for systems that emphasize "epistemic humility" and recognizing when AI is outside its training dataset.

Featured alumni list

Dr. Joel Villasenor

MC '80

Research Scientist, Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Angel Michael (Mike) Evangelista

MC, '82

Managing Director and Country Division Head Pharma Bayer Philippines Inc.

Ernesto Baello

'69

Cardiologist, Philippine Heart Center

Magdalen A. Barcelon

'69

Applied medicine in community service

Ma. Brenda E. Carbonilla

'85

Community Service in Medicine

Leo Anthony Celi

'83

Infectious Diseases Specialist; Research Fellow in Medical Informatics, Harvard - MIT Health Services and Technology

Rafael Consunji

'83

Surgeon

Rolando Eric Domingo

'85

Leadership in health sector; Former Director of PGH

Edsel Salvana

MC, '92

Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine; 2010 Outstanding Young Scientist, 2010 Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Philippines, 2012 Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World for Humanitarian and Voluntary Leadership by JCI International for the Tremendous National and International Impact of his HIV advocacy; Gawad Lagablab Awardee (2015)

Virginia Irene Reyes-Santos

'71

Childhood TB Advocate community worker

Pia Bagamasbad

MC, '97

Molecular Biology and Biotechnology; One of the Filipino scientists on the 2023 Asian Scientist 100 list; Recognized as one of the 2022 Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service awardees for spearheading an RT-PCR training program for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, to support the Department of Health's COVID-19 response.

Relicardo Coloso

'70

Leadership position in the fisheries sector

Cymbeline Tangcoco Culiat

'78

Inventor of various patent applications related to the Clinical applications of the Nell1 protein in tissue regeneration, Chairperson of Scientific Advisory Board, NellOne Therapeutics Inc.

Maria Corazon Abogado de Ungria

'85

Forensic DNA Technology Specialist in the Phils.

Florecita Fernandez

'69

Food Research and Technology; Gawad Lagablab Awardee

Mario Antonio Jiz

'97

Chair, Immunology Department, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine; 2017 Outstanding Scientist in Medical Sciences; 2017 Gawad Dabadaba

Rodel Lasco

'77

Expert in Natural Resources Conservation and Environmental Management

Dalisay Samarita-Maligalig

'74

Regional Statistician, Asian Development Bank

Elpidio Cesar Nadala

MC, '78

International Research in Microbiology, Virology; Gawad Lagablab Awardee

Gonzalo Puga

'69

Applied Sciences / Nuclear Medicine

Reinabelle Reyes

MC, '01

Astrophysicist; Gawad Lagablab Awardee (2015)

Rolly E. Rimando

'79

Geologist

Jose Manuel Serrano Jr.

'78

Expert in Applied Natural Sciences

Rosalia Mercado-Simmen

'69

Professor of Physiology and Biophysics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; Associate Faculty of the Arkansas Cancer Research Center; Senior Investigator in Developmental Biology at the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center

Sylvia Sta. Ines-Tsao

'74

Owner of three US patents on silicon Insulator and Advanced Microelectric Materials

Luis Tupas

'79

Climate Change and Agriculture

Jesus Noel S. Villasenor

'80

Space Plasma Physicist; MIT

Dan Lachica

'71

President, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc.

Ramon L. Jocson

'77

Information Technology, Head of the Enterprise Services Group which serves as BPI's infrastructure backbone covering HR, Centralized Operations, Information Systems and General Administration Services; former IBM Asia Pacific VP & GM for Strategic Outsourcing

Delfin Jay M. Sabido IX

'83

Micro-electronics, Humanitarian Technology, Research and Development Executive at IBM Phils.

Roberto S. Verzola

MC, '69

Executive Director, Philippine Greens Institute; IT specialist; Gawad Lagablab Awardee for Applied Sciences

Rogelio Calunsag

'70

Navy Chief Vice Admiral

Hermogenes C. Esperon, Jr.

'70

National Security Adviser and Director-General, National Security Council; Former Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines

Efren F. Abaya, PhD

MC, '72

Chair, UP Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering; awarded Most Outstanding Electrical Practitioner in Education by the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines; Gawad Lagablab Awardee (1993)

Carlos Arcilla, PhD

MC, '77

Director, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute; Former Director, National Institute for Geological Sciences, UP Diliman; Gawad Lagablab Awardee (2015)

Edgardo Atanacio

MC, '71

Former Dean, UP College of Engineering; Gawad Lagablab Awardee (2002)

Arnulfo P. Azcarraga, PhD

'79

Professor, Software Technology Department, De La Salle University

Marlon Conato, PhD

'77

Associate Professor in Chemistry, UPD, 2015 DOST Balik Scientist Awardee, 2016 Gawad Dabadaba

Francis de los Reyes III

'86

Engineering Professor at the North Carolina State University and 2008 Balik-Scientist awardee

Louie Divinagracia

Professor and University Administrator, UPLB, De La Salle University, Universitas Pelita Harapan Surabaya; Lead Author, eLearning Agribusiness. Expert/Chief Expert, Asian Food and Agribusiness Conferences

Ma. Victoria Espaldon, PhD

'78

Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension of UP Los Banos; Former Dean, UP Los Banos, School of Environmental Science and Management

Adolfo Jesus R. Gopez

MC, '73

President, FEATI University; Outstanding Metallurgical Awardee in 1995; Gawad Lagablab Awardee (1998)

Zosimo Lee

'70

Former Dean, UP College of Social Sciences and Philosophy

Ma. Emma Concepcion D. Liwag

'77

Former Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, ADMU

Priscilla Supnet Macansantos

'72

Palanca Awardee; Former Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Baguio

Titos Anacleto O. Quibuyen

'69

Professor, Institute of Chemistry, UP Diliman

Arnel A. Salvador

'79

Professor, National Institute of Physics, UP Diliman

Jose Danilo Silvestre

'74

Former Director of Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (UPD-OICA), UPD; Associate Professor and Former Dean, UP College of Architecture

Reynaldo B. Vea

'69

President, Mapua University

Ma. Amihan V. Abueva

'75

Co-Founder, (End Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism) ECPAT Philippines; recipient of the Wilberforce Leadership Award in 2008 by the Free the Slaves organization of the USA

Vicky Tauli-Corpuz

'71

UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Cristi Marie Nozawa

'80

Vice-Chair, World Commission on Protected Areas; Regional Director, BirdLife Asia

Soliman M. Santos, Jr.

'70

Peace Advocate and Lawyer

Antonio Tujan

'69

Social Activist; Founder, Ibon Philippines, Inc.

Joseph Emilio Abaya

'83

Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC); Former Congressman, 1st District of Cavite

Rowena Cristina Guevara

'80

Undersecretary for R&D, DOST; former Executive Director of DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology and Research Development (PCIEERD); First Woman Dean of the UP College of Engineering

Cielito Habito

'70

Former Director General, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)

Romeo Recide

'71

Director, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics

Vicente R. Romano III

'72

Former Undersecretary, Department of Tourism (DOT)

Mario Taguiwalo

'69

Former Health Undersecretary, DOH, political theorist

Linus C. Villanueva

MC, '82

Gawad Lagablab Awardee for Social Upliftment

Isabelo P. Africa

'71

Insurance Industry

Ma. Antonia Arroyo

MC, '95

Founder and CEO of HYBRIDIGM Consulting, 2011 TOYM; Gawad Lagablab Awardee (2015)

Anna Bayle

'74

A New York-based international fashion model, entrepreneur

Carlos Antonio Berba

'81

Chairman and Director, San Miguel Brewing International

Ramon Castillo

'77

Founder, Innovatronix, Inc.

Elise Acio-Del Rosario

'72

Operations Research

Jaime del Rosario

'71

Former SGV partner and Accenture CEO

Florecita Fernandez

'69

Vice-President of Unilever / RFM Conglomerate

Rod Franco

'76

CEO of the Manila North Tollways Corporation

Gil Genio

'76

Managing Director, Ayala Corporation, Globe Telecom Head - Carrier Services

Irving C. Guerrero

MC, '71

Executive Vice-President, First Life Financial Company, Inc.; Gawad Lagablab Awardee for Quality Management (1998)

Jose Ma. Esteban III

'73

Business and Industry

Marcelino C. Mendoza

'71

Housing Development

Elpidio Cesar Nadala

'78

Co-founder of an award winning biotech company in Silicon Valley

Jose Maria Ochave

'81

Senior Vice-President of United Laboratories, Inc.

Gil M. Raposas

'69

Business and Industry

Jaime M. Santiago

'71

Executive Vice-President, First Guarantee Life Assurance Co., Inc.

Joselito H. Sibayan

'75

President and CEO, Mabuhay Capital Corporation

Remus C. Villanueva

'85

Entrepreneur

Zeus C. Villanueva

'87

Entrepreneur

Atom Araullo

2000

ABS-CBN journalist and newscaster

Jose 'Butch' Dalisay, Jr.

'71

Writer, Editor, Columnist

Nestor Jardin

'70

President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines

Luis Katigbak

A multi Palanca Awardee writer

Joel Magus P. Navarro

'70

Composer and Artist

Jun Ryan Orbina

'97

Public Health Communication, WHO

Lore Reyes

'69

Film and TV director

Auraeus Solito

'86

Filmmaker, and director of the Internationally-acclaimed "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros", "Tuli", and "Pisay"

Jessica Zafra

'82

Fiction Writer, Columnist, Editor, Publisher, Former Television and Radio show host, Palanca Awardee

Mario Antonio L. Jiz II, PhD

'97

Chair, Immunology Department, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM); Recipient of International Competitive Research Award Dec 2015, given by RITM PRAISE Committee; Recipient of Best Research Award for Young Scientists, Second Place, Merck Inc. Philippines & DOST; Top 100 Asian Scientists of 2018, Asian Scientist Magazine; Outstanding Young Scientist, National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) 2017; Gawad Dabadaba Awardee, PSHS-WVC

Marlon T. Conato, PhD

'97

PhD Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA; Associate Professor, University of the Philippines Diliman; Balik Scientist Award 2015, Department of Science and Technology (DOST); Outstanding Young Scientist, National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) 2020; Gawad Dabadaba Awardee, PSHS-WVC

Erees Queen B. Macabebe, PhD

'98

Associate Chair and Graduate Program Coordinator, Ateneo de Manila University; Co-Founder, SolarSolutions, Inc.; Outstanding Young Scientist, National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) 2020; Gawad Dabadaba Awardee, PSHS-WVC

Jared M. Billena, MD, MMPM, DPSP

'97

Chair, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Department of Molecular Laboratory, Institutional Review Board - Iloilo Panel, The Medical City Iloilo; Diplomate, Philippine Society of Pathologists (Anatomic and Clinical Pathology); Gawad Dabadaba Awardee, PSHS-WVC

Ness Jerold A. Justo, MD

'06

Skull Base Neurosurgery - Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris (Hopital Lariboisiere Subspecialty in Complex Lesions of the Brain and Skull Base - Paris, France; First Aklanon Neurosurgeon - Panay Health Care - MPC, Kalibo, Aklan - First Brain Tumor Surgery, February 2022; Most Outstanding Resident - The Medical City; Gawad Dabadaba Awardee, PSHS-WVC

Fabini Delmo Orata

'03

Postdoctoral Fellow - Bio-Conversion Databank Foundation, Edmonton, Alberta; Gawad Dabadaba Awardee, PSHS-WVC

Rodelen C. Paccial, MD, MPH, MA, PHD, DSBPP, FPPA

'98

Public Relations Officer - Philippine Psychiatric Association (2022); Consultant for Development of online/virtual IRB training modules and complementary roll-out of Quality Rights e-training in facilities with Mental Health Services, World Health Organization - Philippines and Department of Health - Mental Health Division; Gawad Dabadaba Awardee, PSHS-WVC

Ralph Elvi M. Villalobos, MD, FPCP, FPCCP

'04

Pulmonary Medicine Specialist Fellow - Philippine College of Physicians & Philippine College of Chest Physicians; Active Pulmonary Medicine Consultant - University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital, St. Lukes Medical Center - Global City, AMOSUP Seaman's Hospital; Gawad Dabadaba Awardee, PSHS-WVC

Dave P. Dingal, Ph.D.

CMC, '05

Assistant Professor, Department of Bioengineering, Department of Biological Sciences (affiliate), Center for Systems Biology (member); The University of Texas at Dallas. Winner, University-wide Faculty 3-Minute Thesis, University of Texas at Dallas, 2022

PSHS Alumni Feature

Featured alumnus: Dr. Leo Anthony Celi

Featured alumni list

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