Maria Corazon de Ungria
Dr. Maria Corazon A. De Ungria is the Head of the DNA Analysis Laboratory of the Natural Sciences Research Institute at the University of the Philippines and the Director of the Program on Biodiversity, Ethnicity, and Forensics at the Philippine Genome Center. She studies human genetic diversity and uses DNA as a tool for human identification. She advocated for promulgating the Rule on DNA Evidence which prescribes how DNA should be used in Philippine court. Dr. Cora recognized the need for effective research communication, science-driven national policies on forensic DNA databases, institutional protection of the rights of indigenous peoples, and proper institutional governance to ensure the ethical conduct of research in the Philippines. Dr. Cora identifies herself as a changemaker who uses ‘DNA' as her catalyst for change.