Who We Are

Dr Emmanuel D Delocado is the Director of the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability. He received his bachelor’s degree and his PhD in Biology from Ateneo de Manila University. He is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biology and the Laboratory Head of the Ateneo Biodiversity Research Laboratory of Ateneo. He specializes in freshwater biodiversity and insect systematics, and his research interests include biodiversity conservation and education for sustainable development. Concurrently, he serves as the Country Manager of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Philippines (SDSN PH) and the Executive Director of the ASEAN University Network on Ecological Education and Culture (AUN-EEC). His work focuses on discovering countless new species of aquatic beetles which face immense environmental pressures due to anthropogenic activities and climate change, and on engaging local communities to promote sustainable use of river biodiversity.

Email: edelocado@ateneo.edu
Archium Ateneo: works.bepress.com/emmanuel-delocado/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/emmandelocado/ ​​​​​​

Daniel C Ratilla is the Program Head for Climate and Disaster Resilience at the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from the University of the Philippines-Diliman, and his master’s degree in Environmental Management from Ateneo de Manila University. He serves as Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Science. He is currently the Focal Point of the My Climate Risk (MCR) – Ateneo de Manila University Regional Hub, under the MCR Lighthouse Activity of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), and is part of the Secretariat of the ASEAN University Network on Ecological Education and Culture (AUN-EEC). He has been involved in research projects relating to climate risk, multisectoral collaboration for resilience, and ecological education. His research interests include urban ecology, climate communication, environmental management, and inter- and trans-disciplinary research.

Email: dratilla@ateneo.edu
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-ratilla/​​​​

Ma Margarita Christina A Lacdao-Umali is the Program Head for Sustainable Development Goals at the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability. She received both her bachelor's degree in Humanities and her master's degree in Basic Education Teaching from Ateneo de Manila University. Prior to joining AIS, Chris taught English and Creative Writing at the high school level, where she challenged her students to use their stories and words to bring to light the values and beliefs they uphold. To her, engaging audiences through words and effective communication is key to urging people to care about the issues that matter most — and she continues to build on this in her work in education for sustainable development.

Email: mlacdao@ateneo.edu

Josiah Theodore J Cacayan is the Program Head for Organizational Sustainability at the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management from the University of the Philippines Diliman and a master’s degree in Sustainability Management from Ateneo de Manila University. He is also a Lecturer at the Department of Leadership and Strategy. With eight years of experience in the hospitality and food & beverage industry, he built a strong foundation in business operations, strategy, and service excellence. His exposure to a social enterprise employing persons with disabilities deepened his commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in business. His expertise includes project management, business development, strategic planning, leadership, and integrating sustainability into business practices.

Email: jcacayan@ateneo.edu 
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/theocacayan/​​​​

Dr Maria Assunta C Cuyegkeng ​​​is a professor at the Department of Educational Leadership and Management of the Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design (GBSEALD). She is the Executive Director of the Lily Gokongwei Ngochua Leadership Academy and the ASEAN University Network on Ecological Education and Culture (AUN-EEC). She is also  the Managing Editor of the Journal of Management for Global Sustainability. In 2013 she helped establish the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability and became its Director from 2013 to 2021. She was Vice President for the Loyola Schools of Ateneo de Manila University from 2006-2010.

Achoot obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Chemistry from Ateneo de Manila University and her doctoral degree in Chemistry from the University of Regensburg in Germany.  Her current research and teaching interests are in the fields of leadership, systems thinking, social entrepreneurship, and sustainability.

Email: acuyegkeng@ateneo.edu
archīum.ATENEO: https://works.bepress.com/maassunta-cuyegkeng/

Andre Jacques F Tigno is the Program Officer for Organizational Sustainability at the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of the Philippines Diliman and is pursuing graduate studies in sustainability at Harvard Extension School, Harvard University. Before joining AIS, he served as a Sustainability Officer at Dr. Yanga’s Colleges, Inc. in Bulacan. He co-founded Youth Strike for Climate Philippines, a youth-led climate movement, and later became its National Convener. He sees nature as a source of healing and inspiration to his work and advocacy, and creatively, in music and film.

Email: atigno@ateneo.edu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrejacquest/ 

Ivy Geraldine D Ferrer holds the position of Program Officer for Climate and Disaster Resilience. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of the Philippines-Diliman. She is also a member of Global Shapers Community Manila Hub, a growing network of youths organized by the World Economic Forum. She has honed her leadership and organizational skills through her involvement with various school-wide and non-government organizations. In her spare time, Ivy produces sports content that highlights undercovered Filipino athletes. Her areas of interest include disaster resilience, urban planning and quality quotidian life, science communication, and photojournalism.

Email: idferrer@ateneo.edu
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ivygeraldineferrer/

Riza Maree D C Rapada is the Program Officer for Sustainable Development Goals at the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Ateneo de Manila University, graduating as the Program Awardee of her batch. Before joining AIS, she taught Practical Research Courses in the Ateneo Senior High School, where she mentored hundreds of students–most of whom were first-time researchers–in the conceptualization, planning, and execution of their research projects. She hopes to engage in biodiversity conservation, with a particular focus on the role of marine protected areas in the preservation of marine ecosystems.

Email: rrapada@ateneo.edu
​LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rizamaree/ ​​​​​​

France Justine A Arugay is the Business Development Officer of the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability. She holds a master’s degree in Sustainability Management from Ateneo de Manila University and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration Major in Management from University of Asia and the Pacific. She worked in the banking industry for five years focusing on local and foreign banks’ merchant acquiring business. She also served as a senior Sustainability consultant under SGV & Co’s Financial Services Organization-Climate Change and Sustainability Services (FSO CCaSS) for advisory and assurance engagements. Her expertise include business models, social enterprises, and sustainable finance.

Email: farugay@ateneo.edu
​​​LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/france-arugay/​

Charmaine Marie A Duñgo is the Administrative Assistant of the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability. She finished her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Miriam College and earned units in professional education. Previously, she served as Executive Secretary to the Vice President of ABS-CBN Corporation’s Customer Business Development - Research and Analytics Division. She has provided executive office and administrative support for the power and media industries for over ten years.

Email: cdungo@ateno.edu

Red T Gloria is the Communications Officer of the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability. They graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Ateneo de Manila University. Their research interests include environmental communication, animal welfare, and light pollution mitigation.

Email: igloria@ateneo.edu

Azriiel Eunice C Teves is a Research Assistant for Community Sensing on Mobility. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology, specializing in Microbiology, from Ateneo de Manila University. Her team placed second in the 2025 SOSE Research Awards under the Environment and Sustainability category for their study on fungal contaminants affecting paintings in climate-controlled and non-climate-controlled environments. Their work contributes to science-based conservation strategies suited to tropical regions, like the Philippines. This experience deepened her commitment to interdisciplinary work and reinforced her belief that sustainability is an inclusive shared responsibility that begins with one’s intentional, everyday choices.

Email: acteves@ateneo.edu
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/azriiel-eunice-teves

David Hans Y Lomarda is the Research Specialist for Biodiversity of the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability. He received his bachelor's degree in Biology majoring in Plant Biology from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. He previously worked as a Botanist for the Katala Foundation in Palawan. His research interest primarily focus on plant systematics.

Email: dlomarda@ateneo.edu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hans-lomarda

Judel I Lozada  serves as the Research Specialist for Disaster Literacy at the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Ecology, major in Human Settlements Planning, from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. An advocate for and a practitioner of open data, citizen science, risk-informed planning, she has worked on climate and disaster risk management, GIS, and data transparency with the Municipal Planning and Development Office of San Luis, Batangas, the UP Resilience Institute, BNHR IT Solutions, and the Human Ecology Institute of the Philippines, Inc.

Email: jlozada@ateneo.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judellozada

Justine Ysabelle A Barrion (3 AB Psychology)

Tanja Zsofia B Escalona (3 BS Environmental Science)

Rolen Jan E Muana (3 BS Applied Mathematics with specialization in Data Science)

Coleene Roumel Y Cortez (4 BS Environmental Science)

Elisha Juliana B Razon (4 BS Environmental Science)

Raphael Diongco (3 AB Political Science)​​​​​​​

Andrea Beanice Pador (2 AB Political Science)

Arcelle Mariz Braganza (3 BS Environmental Science)

Maria Alessandra Norberte (4 AB Economics)

Mary Therese Catapang (4 AB Development Studies)

Myfaith Bajo (4 BS Biology)

Kristin Therese Belizario (3 AB Sociology) (not in the picture)

Sarah Krizen Miguel (3 AB Diplomacy and International Relations)

Yosh Matthew Miguel (3 AB Communication)

Kirsten Chloe Distrajo (2 BS Legal Management)