Carla B. Dimalanta, DSc, a professor at the UP Diliman National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS), was recently honored by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) as this year’s Outstanding Professional of the Year (OPY) for Geology.
According to the PRC, the OPY is an annual award that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the highest level of professional competence, have meaningful involvement in professional activities through their professional organizations, and upheld integrity in the practice of their respective professions. OPY recipients have also made significant contributions to the advancement of their profession and actively supported its social responsibility, through meaningful participation, in socially relevant initiatives.
In a Facebook post, NIGS stated that “the award affirms her commitment to professional competence integrity, and public service, as well as her involvement in professional development, civic endeavors, and community initiatives.”
A professor 12 at NIGS, Dimalanta’s specialization and research interest is in exploration geophysics. She earned her DSc in earth and planetary sciences from the University of Tokyo, Japan in 2001, and her MS and BS in geology from UPD in 1992 and 1984, respectively.
Dimalanta received the 2003 National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST)-Philippines Outstanding Young Scientist Award, 2018 NAST-Philippines Outstanding Research and Development for Basic Research (Eduardo A. Quisumbing Medal Award), 2018 Metrobank Outstanding Filipinos Award, and the 2024 Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Basic Research by the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology. She held the distinction of UP Scientist III from 2012 to 2023.
Dimalanta is NIGS deputy director for resources and facilities and heads the Rushurgent Working Group Laboratory. She was UP assistant vice president for academic affairs (research) from June 2014 to March 2023, president of the Geological Society of the Philippines from 2019 to 2020, and faculty advisor of the Society of Economic Geologists – Philippine Student Chapter from 2015 to 2020.