PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering
Current position: Professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Philippines
Research focus: electrochemical energy storage, heterogeneous catalysis, green technology and renewable energy, science and technology policy
His childhood experiences in rural areas of the Philippines made him realise how crucial technology can be in improving human living quality, and how resilience to natural forces is crucial for people’s livelihoods. In his research he focuses on efficient electrode materials and processes in electrochemical technologies for energy and environmental applications.
2021 PhilAAST D.M. Consunji Award for Engineering Research
2020 National Academy of Science & Technology (NAST) – The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Prize in Chemistry
2019 President’s Young Scientist Award by The Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia (AASSA)
2018-2019 ASEAN Science and Technology Fellow
2016 United Kingdom Royal Academy of Engineering Newton Leaders in Innovation Fellowship
2015 Outstanding Young Scientist Award by the National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines
CV as submitted for the Green Talents award (2015):
University of the Philippines Diliman, Philippines
Research focus: development of novel and efficient electrode materials and processes in electrochemical technologies for energy and environmental applications
With a background in Chemical Engineering, Joey’s interest in how science and technology can help people at the grassroots level stems from his childhood experiences in rural Philippines, where he noticed how technology is key in improving human living quality, and how resilience to natural forces is crucial for people’s livelihoods.
Joey’s impressive academic background in Chemical Engineering and Public Management has awarded him scholarships and fellowships from Germany, South Korea, and the Philippines. Due to his prolific young career as a researcher with more than 25 publications, he was recently awarded as an Outstanding Young Scientist by the National Academy of Science and Technology in the Philippines. Electrochemistry & Catalysis (E&C), the research fields Joey is working on, are key areas in many aspects of the research on sustainability. His dissertation research focused on battery systems, particularly on developing a novel battery chemistry of germanium-air battery. Aside from his work on batteries, he was also involved in studies for the conversion of greenhouse gas carbon dioxide to more valuable chemicals and in the development of novel non-noble metal-based catalysts for fuel cells and water electrolyzers.
As Joey comes from the rural area of southern Philippines, he understands how poor people like farmers and fishermen are one of the most vulnerable sectors in the changing environment. The shifting climate and the prevalence of strong typhoons pose a great threat on the livelihood of millions of people, especially in developing countries like the Philippines. Joey believes that research efforts should be put towards enabling these vulnerable communities to become disaster resilient. Research should also help these communities in applying sustainable methods for making their livelihood with low environmental impact. Now an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering of the University of the Philippines Diliman, he is building a research laboratory in Electrochemical Engineering, developing technologies using electrochemistry and catalysis in practical applications.
The jury valued Joey’s innovative approach to this important area of research. They believe the Green Talents Forum will help him broaden his understanding on a variety of issues and not just in his circle of competence.
