Caesar Saloma

Caesar A. Saloma is a professor of physics at the [http://www.nip.upd.edu.ph National Institute of Physics] , University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. He is currently the Dean of the College of Science, University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. He also served as Director of the National Institute of Physics from June 2000 to May 2006 (two terms). Saloma obtained his BS, MS, and PhD degrees from the University of the Philippines in 1981, 1984, and 1989, respectively. The [http://www.science.upd.edu.ph/ College of Science] is the primary producer of PhD graduates in the basic and applied sciences and mathematics in the Philippines today.

Profile

In 2004 Saloma received the prestigious [http://www.ico-optics.org/ico_apr05.html Galileo Galilei Award] from the International Commission for Optics in recognition of his significant contributions in the field of optics that were accomplished under comparatively unfavorable conditions. He is the first and only scientist from an ASEAN member country to have received the Galileo Award.

On July 7, 2008, he received the ASEAN Outstanding Scientist and Technologist Award from the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology during the 8th ASEAN Science and Technology Week in Manila, Philippines. [ [http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/july/08/yehey/top_stories/20080708top6.html manilatimes.net, Filipino physicist wins Asean top science award] ] Saloma was recognized for his contributions to photonics and signal processing that were accomplished with colleagues and students at the National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines. [ [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view/20080712-148041/Filipino-dean-is-ASEANs-top-scientist newsinfo.inquirer.net, Filipino dean is ASEAN’s top scientist] ]

Saloma led the development of a method to generate high-contrast images of semiconductor sites via one photon optical beam-induced current imaging and confocal reflectance microscopy. The project received a US patent (No. 7,235,988) on 26 June 2007. He has published more than 100 papers in leading photonics, applied physics and multidisciplinary journals in the US and Europe. His efforts “resulted in the development of novel and cost-effective / non-invasive method techniques in optical signal recovery, retrieval and identifying microscopic defects in integrated circuits (IC). His technique enables the accurate identification of circuit defects by producing a high-contrast image map that distinguishes the semiconductor, metal and dielectric sites from each other.

His fields of interest include confocal laser scanning microscopy, [C. Palmes-Saloma and C. Saloma, "Long-depth imaging of specific gene expressions in wholemount mouse embryos with single photon excitation confocal fluorescence microscope and FISH," "J Struct Biol" 131, pp. 56-66 (2000); CM Blanca, VJ Cemine, B Buenaobra and C Saloma, "Localizing Defects on Circuits using High-Resolution OFT," "Optics & Photonics News (Optical Society of America)", p. 30 (December 2006).] interferometry, [P J Rodrigo, M Lim and C Saloma, "Optical-feedback semiconductor laser Michelson interferometer for displacement measurements with directional discrimination," "Appl. Opt." 40, 506-513 (2001).] signal and image processing, [M Soriano and C Saloma, "Improved classification robustness for noisy cell images represented as principal-component projections in a hybrid recognition system," "Appl. Opt." 37, 3628-3638 (1998).] neural networks, [C Monterola and C Saloma, "Noise-driven manifestation of learning in mature neural networks," "Phys. Rev. Lett." 89, 188102 (2002).] and complex adaptive systems. [C Saloma et al., "Self-organized queuing and scale-free behavior in real escape panic," "Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA" 100, 11947-11952 (2003)] Aside from developing new optical microscopy techniques, Saloma is also interested in the development of efficient models for describing the dynamics of real-world systems that involve a large number of interacting agents.

Saloma was inducted into the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST) in July 2005. The NAST is the highest recognition body of the Philippine government on science and technology. It also provides advise to the Philippine President and the Cabinet on matters related to science and technology

Saloma is a recipient of other awards and recognition including the NAST Outstanding Young Scientist (Applied Physics) in 1992, the NAST-Third World Academy of Science (TWAS) Prize in Physics in 1997, and the "Gawad Chanselor para sa Natatanging Guro" (Outstanding Teacher) in 2006 and several "Gawad Chanselor para sa Pinakamahusay na Mananaliksik" (Best Researcher in S&T) from the University of the Philippines Diliman. He is one of only three faculty members who have been appointed to the highest rank of Scientist III by the University of the Philippines System in 2006. He also received the 2007 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teacher Award on September 7, 2007.

The Department of Science and Technology-Philippines included Saloma in its list of "50 Men and Women of Science" that was released in June 2008 as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the foundation of the Department.

On 19 September 2008, Saloma received the Lingkod Bayan Award - the Presidential Award for Outstanding Public Service, from Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in a ceremony held at the Malacanang Palace. The award is the highest recognition given to a Philippine government employee for outstanding work performance.

Saloma spent his childhood in the town of Baclayon, Bohol and attended high school at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Tagbilaran City.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.nip.upd.edu.ph/ National Institute of Physics, Philippines]
* [http://www.ico-optics.org/ico_apr05.html ICO Galileo Galilei Awards 2004]