About me

I am an incoming Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB), University of the Philippines Diliman.

My main academic interests reside in endoderm and gut tube development. My current collaborations expand this theme across all three fields of Eco-Evo-Devo, as well as fish metabolism and physiology, and ecotoxicology (see my Research page).

My postdoc focused on the study of clownfish metamorphosis, on the early (post-embryonic) development of clownfish digestive tract, and on the role of thyroid hormones in this process. I worked as part of a multi-lab research grant studying the evolutionary basis of bilaterian metamorphosis and through-gut patterning.

My PhD was in biotechnology and bioengineering, and also focused on endoderm developmental biology, but in the context of the mammalian embryo. I therefore also have expertise in stem cell biology, mouse developmental biology, and endoderm developmental biology. I have also experience in synthetic embryology and bioengineering. I am an advocate for intersectional open science, preprints, equitable publishing, and knowledge equity. Aside from my work, I am interested in data communication and visual storytelling in developmental biology.

I am a signatory of DORA, and a member of the International Union of Scientists Against Militarism and the Destructive Use of Science and Technology. I am currently also a member of the Taiwanese Society of Developmental Biology and of the Philippine Society for Developmental Biology.