Photo courtesy of Prof. Stephen Doliente
Feb 2017 – During the 78 th Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers, Inc. (PIChE) National Convention held in Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City last February 22-25, 2017, Prof. Joey Ocon was awarded the “2017 Outstanding Chemical Engineer for Research and Development.” Prof. Ocon hails from Tagum City and it was fitting that a proud and hard-working Mindanaoan received his award in Cagayan de Oro City.
For eight years as a chemical engineer, Prof. Ocon has committed his time and effort in R&D while doing his PhD at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea and in teaching and doing research as a faculty member of UP Diliman Department of Chemical Engineering. Prof. Ocon passed the ChE Licensure Examination in April 2009, placing 9th in the exam. He has authored and co-authored 33 articles published in international peer-reviewed journals. His current Google Scholar h-index is 10.
As head of the Laboratory on Electrochemical Engineering, he is giving guidance and mentoring to future engineers and scientist of the country. In his acceptance speech, Prof. Ocon encouraged other Filipino chemical engineers to take advanced degrees because “we need more dynamic, open-minded, evidence-based policymakers and technocrats in the Philippines.”