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About Me

 

 


 

 

PROFESSIONAL

PREPARATION

 

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Louis T. Rader Award

Department of Systems and Information Engineering, University of Virginia (September 1999 – May 2003)

 

Master of Science (M.S.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Department of Industrial Engineering, University of the Philippines (June 1989 – March 1997)

 

 
APPOINTMENTS

Research Assistant Professor

(Promoted from previous positions of Research Associate and Research Scientist)

Center for Risk Management of Engineering Systems, University of Virginia (July 2003 – Present)

 

Research Assistant

Center for Risk Management of Engineering Systems, University of Virginia (May 2000 – May 2003)

 

Teaching Assistant

Department of Systems and Information Engineering, University of Virginia (August 1999 – May 2000)

 

Assistant Professor

(Promoted from previous position of Instructor)

University of the Philippines, Quezon City, Philippines (June 1995 – September 1999)

 

Industrial Engineering (IE) Program Specialist

Department of Education, Culture, and Sports, Philippines (December 1997 – April 1998)

 

Corporate Planner

Philippine National Oil Company, Makati City, Philippines (January 1995 – May 1995)

   

RESEARCH INTERESTS

 

My research strengths and interests are on the following areas: (i) risk analysis; (ii) multi-objective optimization; and (iii) interdependency analysis. I had the great opportunity to experience high-quality guidance and mentorship from my Ph.D. advisor (Yacov Haimes) who exposed me to many risk analysis applications. In particular, I have specialized in extreme-risk analysis of catastrophic events such as natural disasters, willful attacks, and stock market crashes. I co-authored a paper that investigated various risk dimensions associated with a volcanic eruption, which was awarded “Best Paper” by the Society for Risk Analysis (SRA). Currently a research faculty at the University of Virginia, I serve as a co-investigator in several projects commissioned by funding agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, Virginia Department of Transportation, and National Science Foundation. For my independent work on multi-objective optimization, I received a provisional patent and another “Best Paper” award from SRA for developing a genetic algorithm model for portfolio selection that seeks to balance achievable returns with extreme market risks. On interdependency analysis, I am one of the key developers of the inoperability input-output model (IIM), which captures the interactive behaviors of different infrastructures and economic sectors in the nation or regions thereof. The IIM is supported by tools and databases such as geographic information systems (GIS) and regional input-output multiplier system (RIMS II). Some recent projects where the IIM was extensively used include the analysis of high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) attack scenarios in Greater Northeast region of the United States, impact analysis of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) threat alert levels, and vulnerability analysis of oil and gas SCADA systems. I am a member of several professional associations including the SRA and the International Input-Output Association (IIOA). I was recently awarded a travel grant to attend the 15th IIOA conference held in Beijing, China where I presented my research work on using the IIM for impact analysis of terrorist attacks. To date, I have published more than 10 papers of which 8 appeared in peer-reviewed journals. I have served as a referee for several journals including Risk Analysis, Systems Engineering, Infrastructure Systems, IEEE Systems, Man and Cybernetics, and IEEE Reliability.

My work as a research faculty at the University of Virginia’s Center for Risk Management of Engineering Systems has contributed significantly to my intellectual growth and interpersonal skills. I enjoy being involved in a variety of risk analysis research topics commissioned by major policymaking agencies on important real-world problems. The cumulative experience I have gained over the past three years of post-doctoral research will be pivotal in achieving my ultimate professional goal, which is to engage in a well-balanced mixture of research and teaching responsibilities
. Before I initiated my Ph.D. studies at the University of Virginia, I served as a faculty member of the University of the Philippines for 5 years where I was awarded Most Outstanding Instructor for my teaching skills. I consider teaching and delivering high-quality research products as excellent means to reciprocate and express my utmost appreciation of the mentorship (and friendship) I experienced from my mother (my first teacher) and all of my former professors.