Top Filipino Biologists

Because of their work, research, and inventions, these biologists have made it to the top of the list
of famous Filipino biologists:

• Angel C. Alcala
• Benjamin D. Cabrera
• Pedro B. Escuro
• Edgardo Gomez
• Bienvenido O. Juliano
• Milagrosa R. Martinez
• Evelyn Mae T. Mendoza
• Baldomero Olivera, Jr.
• Eduardo Quisumbing
• Asuncion Raymundo
• Reynaldo A. Tabada
• Carmen Velasquez
• Benito S. Vergara
• Prescillano M. Zamora

Angel C. Alcala

Angel C. Alcala worked for the conservation of tropical marine resources and invented artificial
coral reefs that are to be used for fisheries in Southeast Asia. He is known for his research of
Philippine amphibians and reptiles which led to the addition of 50 new species.

Benjamin D. Cabrera

Benjamin D. Cabrera has been involved in medical parasitology and public health and has
published over 100 scientific studies. He has developed innovative drug treatments for mosquito-
borne diseases. He earned the Philippine Legion of Honor for his work with filariasis, a parasitic
disease. He also worked on controlling Ascariasis; a human disease caused by a parasitic
roundworm.

Pedro B. Escuro

Pedro B. Escuro has achieved fame as a plant breeder. He developed high-yield varieties of C4
rice that was hardy against disease and pests. His varieties are high quality rice and have good
flavor.

Edgardo Gomez

Edgardo Gomez researches marine ecosystems and is a well-known marine biologist. His work on
coral reefs led to saving the true giant clam from extinction.
Bienvenido O. Juliano

Bienvenido O. Juliano has spent much of his life improving the grain quality of rice. He made the
rice more economical and more nutritious. He developed a method of evaluating grain quality and
is a senior consultant for the Philippine Rice Research Institute.

Milagrosa R. Martinez

Milagrosa R. Martinez is a pioneer in the field of micro-algaculture. Milagrosa researched in the

field of phycology and studied nostoc commune and chlorella.

Evelyn Mae T. Mendoza

Evelyn Mae T. Mendoza has performed research in plant biochemistry, particularly in the
makapuno phenotype of coconut and the nutritional worth of certain legumes indigenous to the
Philippines, cassava, and sweet potatoes. She also studied the resistance of certain plants to pests
or disease.

Baldomero Olveria, Jr

Baldomero Olivera, Jr. has conducted research in the fields of molecular biology and biochemistry
and he has isolated key DNA enzymes. His discovery of Conus peptides may lead to drugs for
pain and nervous system disorders.

Eduardo Quisumbing

Eduardo Quisumbing is an authority of Philippine plants. He has published numerous papers, many
concerning medicinal plants, like orchids. He has received many awards, like the Distinguished
Service Star (botany) and the Diploma of Merit (Orchidology).

Asuncion Raymundo

Asuncion Raymundo is a researcher into the chemistry of natural products. She applied
biotechnology and microbial genetics to agriculture of the Philippines. She is an Academician of
NAST, the National Academy of Science and Technology, and is on the advisory group of science
and technology to the Office of the President.

Reynaldo A. Tabada

Reynaldo A. Tabada has made contributions in air pollution and water resources. This was namely
assessing the environmental impact of pollutants from thermal power plants that use coal, the
effects of heavy metal emissions and hydrogen sulfide from geothermal plants on vegetation, and
assessing the nitrogen and phosphorus in Laguna Lake.
Carmen Velasquez

Carmen Velasquez has studies parasites and their hosts in the fish, or fish parasitology. She
discovered 32 species and one genus of digenetic trematodes on fish populations. She also
discovered two new trematode species of birds and five on mammals. She also discovered a
parasitic copepod and two new species of nematodes.

Benito S. Vergara

Benito S. Vergara is an expert on the flowering response of rice to photoperiodism and physiology.
His research has led to improvement of deep-water rice, rice that is tolerant to floods and cold
temperatures, and increased production.

Prescillano M. Zamora

Prescillano M. Zamora has done work on the xylem elements of vascular plants. His research on
ferns has led to the discovery of additional species. He has also contributed to the conservation of
natural resources and environment policy research.