...the Nuclear Science Director

International nuclear science group hails Filipina scientist as new director

By Jan Carlo Anolin

21 February 2019

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has recently appointed a Filipina scientist to be one of its new directors in Vienna, Austria, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

Dr. Jane Gerardo-Abaya officially assumed her new position on January 1, 2019 as IAEA’s Department of Technical Cooperation Asia and the Pacific Division Director.

Philippines Ambassador to Austria Maria Cleofe R. Natividad (second from the left) congratulates new IAEA Division Director Dr. Jane Gerardo-Abaya (second from the right). They are joined by Consul General Deena Joy Amatong (far left) and Vice Consul Allen Carillo (far right). (Vienna PM photo / DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS / MANILA BULLETIN)

Dr. Abaya is an Austria-based scientist who has worked for various capacities of IAEA since 1994.

The University of the Philippines alumna contributed her works on isotope hydrology and water and geothermal energy resources to the state university’s National Institute of Geological Sciences.

Dr. Abaya finished her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Geology in 1981 and 1988, respectively.

She completed her doctorate in Applied Geology and Geothermal in 2004 at the Universitat Fur Bodenklultur in Vienna, according to DOST’s profile.

Dr. Abaya became a recipient of “Balik Scientist Award” and had a research grant from the Department of Science and Technology in 2008.

In 2017, she received a “Superior Achievement Award” from IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano while former IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei granted her a “Distinguished Service Award” in 2008.

The new IAEA Director paid a courtesy call with Ambassador to Austria Maria Cleofe R. Natividad in the Philippine Permanent Mission in Vienna’s chancery last January 18.

According to DFA, Natividad said Dr. Abaya’s appointment is a “remarkable achievement in the Philippines’ efforts towards increasing women’s representation at the higher echelons of the IAEA.”

Natividad is confident that Dr. Abaya will fulfill her new role as director given her “exemplary qualifications and extensive experience.”

IAEA is the world’s central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in nuclear science, according to its official website.

The agency works for the safe, secure, and peaceful uses of nuclear science and contributes it to international peace and security and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.