6 Filipino scientists cited for outstanding research

The six Filipino honorees in this year’s Asia Scientist 100 are (from left) Marcela M. Navasero, May Anne E. Mata, Mary Donnabelle L. Balela, Garry A. Benico, Aurelio A. De Los Reyes V, and Romulo G. Davide. The list recognizes 100 prize-winning scientists, academicians, innovators, and business leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region. (Photos courtesy of Asian Scientist Magazine, UP Diliman, Association of Systematic Biologists of the Philippines, UPLB, and DOST-STII)

Six Filipino scientists were included in this year’s list of the top 100 most outstanding researchers in Asia compiled by the Singapore-based Asian Scientist Magazine.

They are Marcela Navasero and Romulo Davide from the University of the Philippines (UP) Los Baños, Mary Donnabelle Balela and Aurelio de los Reyes V from UP Diliman, Garry Benico from Central Luzon State University (CLSU), and Mary Anne Mata from UP Mindanao.

Navasero, a scientist from the pest management division of the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) in UP Los Baños, was recognized for her “leadership in natural pest control and agricultural biosecurity.”

Also from UP Los Baños, the list included Davide who was the 44th National Scientist of the Philippines after being appointed in 2024 and dubbed as the “Father of Philippine Nematology,” which refers to the study of nematodes or roundworms.

He was recognized for his “pioneering work in plant pathology and nematology, particularly his research on plant-parasitic nematodes,” and for founding the Farmer-Scientist Training program that benefitted around 70,000 Filipino farmers nationwide.

Also on the list was Balela for her work in developing modular kapok booms used in marine oil spills, for which she won the Outstanding Research and Development Award during the 2024 National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) held by the Department of Science and Technology.

Other scientists

The list also cited Benico, who was named as one of the Outstanding Young Scientist by the National Academy of Science and Technology in 2025, for his research in aquatic biosciences.

The founding head of the Algal Diversity and Bioresources Laboratory at CLSU, Benico was recognized for his work in the taxonomy and systematics of microalgae and harmful dinoflagellates that affect marine ecosystems, fisheries and aquaculture.

Another 2025 Outstanding Young Scientist awardee, Mata was recognized for her “exemplary research in infectious disease modeling and analysis, applied mathematics, mathematical biology and operations research.

She is a professor from the Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science at UP Mindanao, and was the first from the university to be named as Outstanding Young Scientist.