Dr. Francis Aldrine A. Uy, Mapúa Dean of the School of Civil, Environmental, and Geological Engineering (CEGE) has been recognized as among the most outstanding scientists in Asia. Dr. Uy was one of eight Filipinos included in the Asian Scientist 100 recently released by Singapore-based Asian Scientist Magazine.
“I feel blessed and honored to represent the country in the prestigious list,” shared Dr. Uy.
Institutionalized in 2016, the annual list recognizes innovators and researchers that made an impact in their respective jurisdictions within the Asian region. Those included in the list must have received a national or international prize for their research in the preceding year. The effort must have made a significant scientific discovery or provided leadership in academia or industry.
Just last year, Dr. Uy received the David Consunji Award for Engineering Research from the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology. The award was established to recognize outstanding researchers in the field of engineering.
Some of his research works include:
- Automated Real-Time Monitoring System for Magat Dam;
- Automated Real-Time Monitoring System for Ambuklao, Binga and San Roque Dams (Project ARMS); and
- Data Validation of LIDAR Dem and its Utilization in Watershed Modeling and Flood Hazard Assessment: The Cabarzon River Basin.
Full-fledged Mapúan
Dr. Uy graduated from Mapúa University with a civil engineering degree back in 2000 and has served the university in various posts for almost 20 years.
“At Mapúa, I became more interested in engineering because of the many successful Mapúans in the industry like Dado Banatao. CEGE has been recognized every year as the school with most externally funded research reaching almost P200 million. Then we successfully established the first spin-off company from Mapúa since its founding,” he explained.
As the dean of CEGE, Uy acquired more research projects funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). His vision and mission are for the university to produce more startups that will highlight the ingenuity of Mapúa engineers and scientists.
“I would like to see Mapúa in the future as a higher education institution that is rich in intellectual property and royalties because of the thousands of startups it has produced. When we reach this stage, we will also be assured that we have the best instruction in developing the future professionals of the country,” said Uy.
Moving Forward
Uy is also the founder and president of Universal Structural Health Evaluation and Recording (USHER) Technologies Inc., the first Mapúa spin-off company derived from the USHER Project developed in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technologies Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).
The USHER device monitors the structural integrity of buildings and bridges, minimizing the effects of natural calamities such as earthquakes. The USHER system can also be utilized as an early warning system. USHER Technologies is the only Filipino-made structural health monitoring system in the market.
“One of the most important outputs of my research projects is USHER Technologies Inc. I plan to ensure that it becomes a stable and strong company that will help strengthen disaster resilience in our country and the world. I plan to launch more startup companies in the next three years,” he added.
He underscored that everyone has different gifts and talents, but what matters most is how one uses these gifts and talents for the betterment of communities and the nation.