Dr. Rex Victor O. Cruz has significant contribution to the practice of watershed management in the country, which advanced its application to the integrated management of forest, soil and water resources. He pioneered the application of GIS in planning and watershed management in the Philippines and initiated the establishment of the first network of learning watersheds, which are intended to become a comprehensive database on key attributes of watersheds amin climate change, land use change and othe natural and anthropogenic stressors. His work in the field of climate change, particularly in relation to forestry, water, soil, biodiversity and local comunities, helped set the direction for the conduct of research in this field in the country.
Birthdate: 26 August 1956
Educational Background:
- Ph.D. Watershed Management - University of Arizona 1990
- M.S. Forestry - University of the Philippines Los Baños 1981
- B.S. Forestry - University of the Philippines Los Baños 1978
Research Interest:
- Watershed and Ecosystem Mangement
- Biodiversity
- Climate Change Studies
- Forest Policy Studies
- Land Use Change
- Sustainable Forest Management
Honors and Awards Received:
- 2016 - One UP Professional Chair in Forestry (Watershed Management)
- 2016 - Environmental Science Award - National Academy of Science and Technology
- 2015 - Scientist III - University of the Philippines
- 2012 - Scientist III - University of the Philippines
- 2010 - Centennial Professional Chair - University of the Philippines Los Baños
- 2010 - Best Scientific Poster (Agricultural Sciences) - National Academy of Science and Technology
- 2009 - Distinguished Scientist Award (Basic Science Achievement Award) - National Research Council of the Philippines
- 2009 - Ten Outstanding UPLB Alumni Award - University of the Philippines Los Baños Alumni Association
- 2008 - One of the Most Illustrious Sons of the Province of Laguna - Sanggniang Panglalawigan of Laguna
- 2008 - Scientist II - University of the Philippines
- 2007 - Nobel Peace Prize as Member, UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
- 2006 - Alamciga Award - University of Los Baños
- 2002 - Arsenio G. Espiritu Professional Chair - University of the Philippine Los Baños
- 2001 - Mancono Award - CFNR Alumni Association
- 2001 - Most Outstanding Researcher - University of the Philippines Los Baños
- 1999 - Golden Harvest AWard for Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Forestry - University of the Philippines Los Baños
- 1998 - UP Endowment Fund Professional Chair in Forestry and Watershed Management - University of the Philippines Los Baños
- 1997 - Diamond Jubilee Professional Chair in Forest Management - University of the Philippines Los Baños
- 1993 - Guillermo Ponce Professional Chair in Forestry - University of the Philippines Los Baños