The Philippine Genome Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Windell L. Rivera as its new Executive Director.
Dr. Rivera is a Professor of Microbiology at the Institute of Biology, College of Science, and UP Scientist III at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He also serves as an Academician at the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), chairs both the Microbiology Consortium of the Philippines and the Biological Sciences Division of NAST PHL, and is the President of Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society, Philippines. He is also the President of the Philippine Association of Tropical Medicine and Global Health.
Following his undergraduate studies in BS Biology (Microbiology) at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Dr. Rivera earned his MS in Microbiology (Biomedical Microbiology) at University of the Philippines Diliman. He pursued further studies at the Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki, Japan for his PhD in Medical Science (Molecular Microbiology) and later conducted his Postdoctoral Fellowship in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.
With over two decades of academic leadership and research, Dr. Rivera has earned significant recognition both nationally and internationally. He has been consistently listed among the Top 2% of the World’s Researchers (2021, 2023, and 2025) and was named one of the Top 100 Scientists of Asia (2017). His national awards include Outstanding Young Scientist (2006), The Outstanding Young Men (2006), Outstanding Microbiologist (2009), the NRCP Achievement Award in the Biological Sciences (2010), the CHED REPUBLICA Outstanding Research and Publication Award (2014), UPAA Distinguished Alumnus in Science and Technology (2013), and the Eduardo A. Quisumbing Medal for Outstanding Basic Research (2015).
Dr. Rivera’s expertise is evident in his multiple published works in protozoology, medical biotechnology, and applied bacteriology. In 2015, he co-invented a patented technology: a “Rapid and accurate detection kit for amebiasis patients through salivary IgA”. The genome center and its core facilities led by Dr. Rivera, will continue to advance research capacity, building on his experience in implementing research projects spanning from parasitology, diagnostics, food safety, antimicrobial resistance, and natural product discovery, among others.
Dr. Windell L. Rivera’s appointment was earlier formalized and documented by the Office of Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA) effective June 01, 2025. The Philippine Genome Center extends its warm welcome to Dr. Rivera, and anticipates his expertise and leadership to further advance Omics for a better Philippines.
Per OVPAA Memorandum No. 2025-132, September 15, 2025: PGC is officially under the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI). This transition is intended to streamline operations, strengthen coordination, provide oversight, and ensure that programs and activities under the mandate are effectively carried out under the supervision of the OVPRI.
