Rogel Mari Sese

Dr. Rogel Mari Sese is an internationally recognized astrophysicist, educator and space expert and is the Philippines’ leading advocate for space science and technology development. He is the Chair of the Department of Aerospace Engineering of the Ateneo de Davao University and Director of ACCESS Mindanao, a research and advocacy program of ADDU that aims to bridge the digital divide in Mindanao using satellite technology. Dr. Sese led the National SPACE Development Program which crafted the Philippine Space Development and Utilization Policy and proposal for the creation of the Philippine Space Agency. He wrote and spent years actively lobbying for the law that eventually became Republic Act 11363 or the Philippine Space Act, the Philippines’ first space law that led to the creation of the space agency and policy. He is recognized both locally and internationally, being selected as a 2012 Emerging Space Leaders by the International Astronautical Federation, one of the eight Filipinos in the Top 100 Asian Scientists of 2018 by the Asian Scientist Magazine, and recognized in Senate Resolution 882 in 2019 by the Philippine Senate for his contributions to space development in the country.
He has worked also with the private sector, having established Regulus SpaceTech in 2013 and served as a consultant of the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and Department of National Defense, and Department of Science and Technology for several years. He also served as the Focal Person of the Philippine Space Science Education Program of the Science Education Institute, established the Southeast Asian Young Astronomers Collaboration, member of the International Astronomical Union, National Point of Contact of the Space Generation Advisory Council and is a member of various local and international organizations.