Caesar A. Saloma, professor emeritus at the UP Diliman National Institute of Physics (NIP) has recently been elected as an Optica Fellow.
According to its website, Optica was founded in 1916 as the Optical Society of America. It is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students, and others interested in the science of light.
Saloma was recognized “for his pioneering research and development efforts in optics and photonics in the Philippines, including the training of young Filipino scientists.” He is the first Filipino to receive the distinction.
In an email correspondence with Saloma, he explained that Optica Fellows are nominated by a peer group of other current fellows. Saloma added that according to Optica’s bylaws, the number of fellows cannot exceed 10% of the total membership, and the number of fellows elected annually is limited to approximately 0.5% of the current membership.
Saloma obtained bachelor, master, and PhD degrees in physics from UPD in 1981, 1984, and 1989, respectively. He first joined UPD in June 1981 as an instructor at the then Department of Physics of the College of Arts and Sciences. He then rose from the academic ranks and became a full professor of physics in 1997. Presently, Saloma has handled and overseen the dissertation and thesis research of 23 PhD and 40 MS graduates at the NIP. He has been the editor-in-chief of the Philippine Journal of Science since 2011.
For his distinguished and noteworthy researches, Saloma received prestigious awards such as the 2004 Galileo Galilei Award from the International Commission for Optics, the 2008 ASEAN Outstanding Scientist and Technologist Award from the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology, the 2008 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award from the Office of the President of the Philippines, and as inaugural fellow of the Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas in 2008.
In 2005, Saloma became a National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines member. He was one of the first recipients of the UP Scientific Productivity System, as UP Scientist III, when the award was implemented in 20006.
Saloma served UPD in various capacities. He was NIP director (2000-2008), UPD College of Science dean (2006-2011), and UPD chancellor (2011-2014).