For his important contributions to science and technology in the country and in the world, specifically, his expertise in mathematics and the emerging field of systems biology, Dr. Eduardo R. Mendoza was elected Corresponding Member for 2011 by the members of the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST Phl). His leadership in many aspects of scientific and mathematical endeavours and his significant studies in the new field of systems biology have resulted important breakthroughs in many academic and technological undertakings. Corresponding membership is conferred on non-resident Filipino scientists who have made exemplary contributions to the advancement of science and technology and must have continuing connections and contributions to Philippine science.
His Ph.D. thesis on Cohomology studies was recognized as one of the pioneering works in a highly sophisticated area of mathematics which was cited in many international publications worldwide. His Systems Biology studies and dynamics of complex biological systems in terms of its components through a combination of quantitative experimentation and computational modelling has achieved many academic success, including the organization of the “Joint Experimenter-Modeler” projects at U.P. Diliman and the development of Systems Biology in the Munich region through the establishment of the “Munich Systems Biology Forum.”
He co-designed the EUCLIS (EUCLOCK Information System) initially for the European project (EUROCLOCK) but now supported by the two largest professional societies for Chronobiology, Society for Research in Biological Rhythms (SRBR) as part of the worldwide information infrastructure of the field.
He was also instrumental in the modelling of halophilic archae (in close collaboration with the group of Prof. Dieter Oesterhelt at the renowned Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry). The pioneering computational models for these organisms have contributed to new insights for these biotechnologically important organisms.
Furthermore, he initiated the development of “algorithmic systems biology” methods such as the Brane Algebra PABM and pioneering application to modelling influenza A infection which was presented at the 11th International Conference in Systems Biology in Edinburgh, UK (2010).
Dr. Mendoza co-edited the book entitled “Systems Biology in Psychiatric Research which help orient researchers in the quest for the deeper understanding of complex brain diseases. He is Founding Member of the European Electronic Messaging Association (1987) and the Center for Digital Technology and Management (1998). He has been member of the German Society for Informatics and the German Mathematical Society. Concurrently, he is Member for the Center of Nanoscience at Ludwig Maximilians University and Board of Trustees at the Max-Planck Institute for the Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems at Magdeburg, Germany. He was awarded the Microsoft’s President Award (1997), the first Filipino to achieve such distinction during his stint at the international software industry.
Dr. Mendoza obtained his bachelors degree in B.S. Mathematics from the University of Heidelberg in 1968 (magna cum laude). He earned his master and doctorate studies in Mathematics at the University of Bonn in 1974 and 1980, respectively.
He has always strived for excellence in all his undertakings which he tries imbue in his students and advisees. During his visits as “Balik-Scientist” and on many personally financed visits, he devoted all his time to teaching graduate courses and mentoring graduate students and researches in the University of the Philippines, Ateneo, La Salle, and other universities. Students and institutions have benefited from the pioneering research and course offerings of Dr. Mendoza.
At present, he is Senior Research Scientist at Ludwig Maximilian University and Adjunct Professor at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Manila, and Los Banos campuses. Luningning Samarita, Executive Director, NAST
