About Me

I’m currently an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Resilience of Rabdan Academy. Previously I was an Associate Professor at the Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction (IDMR), Sichuan University – Hong Kong Polytechnic University. I was a Integrated Research on Disaster Risk Program (IRDR) Young Scientist. IRDR is a research program co-sponsored by the International Science Council (ISC) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). In 2018, I became a Japan Foundation Asia Center (JFAC) Fellow. In 2019, I was invited to be one of the inaugural Section Editors of the Progress in Disaster Science Journal published by Elsevier. I’m now an Associate Editor at the Environmental Development Journal, also published by Elsevier. I previously worked as a researcher at the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) in Bangkok, Thailand and at the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies (GSGES) at Kyoto University in Japan. In my Master’s thesis and PhD dissertation, I investigated youth participation in disaster risk reduction (DRR) in the Philippines, through school-based science clubs and through community-based youth councils, respectively. I was the founding President of U-INSPIRE Philippines and am now one of its mentors. U-INSPIRE is the new Asian platform for youth participation and leadership in DRR established in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2019 with the help of UNESCO and it now has 12 active chapters in the region.

I’m originally from Pagadian, Philippines. Our city was devastated by the 1976 Moro Gulf Tsunami, which killed more than 8,000 in Mindanao. The idea of helping our city prepare for the next tsunami propelled me to pursue graduate studies in disaster risk management in Japan.

I can be reached through e-mail at gf_fernandez AT outlook.com

WORK EXPERIENCE

Faculty of Resilience, Rabdan Academy, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Associate Professor, August 2022 – present

  • Teach undergraduate courses related to Business Continuity Management and to Emergency Management
  • Contribute to the Academy’s research publications

Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction (IDMR), Sichuan University – Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Chengdu, China

Associate Professor, May 2018 – July 2022

  • Build IDMR’s research program on the roles of youth organizations in disaster resilience
  • Develop institutional research and educational collaborations in ASEAN countries
  • Serve as focal person for IDMR research on business continuity management (BCM), disaster waste management, and science diplomacy
  • Teach undergraduate and graduate courses related to disaster management and reconstruction
  • Mentor graduate students

Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies (GSGES), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

Researcher, Grant for Global Sustainability (GGS) Project, March 2016 – March 2018

  • Coordinated participatory local platform activities on urban disaster resilience (risk assessment, disaster scenario planning, and action planning) in Kathmandu, Nepal and Yangon, Myanmar, for a project funded by the United Nations University (UNU)
  • Helped facilitate the activities of eight joint research teams composed of members from Kyoto University and local universities, NGOs, and local government offices in Kathmandu and Yangon
  • Participated in the joint research among Kyoto University, Center for Disaster Studies (CDS) of Tribhuvan University, National Society for Earthquake Technology – Nepal (NSET), and Karyabinayak Municipality on earthquake risk perception and housing reconstruction in Khokana Village in Nepal
  • Participated in the joint research among Kyoto University, Yangon Technological University (YTU), Myanmar Engineering Society (MES), and Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) on earthquake, cyclone, and fire risk perception and housing safety in Pazundaung and Tamwe Townships in Myanmar
  • Prepared project reports and academic publications and built and maintained the dedicated project website
  • Assisted PhD and Master’s students in the Global Environmental Architecture Laboratory with their research

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), Bangkok, Thailand

Researcher, iPrepare Business Facility, April 2015 – March 2016

  • Facilitated the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) resilience survey and policy review in Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, as part of a research in private sector engagement in Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in a regional 18-month project funded by ADB and GIZ
  • Produced capacity-building materials on Business Continuity Management (BCM) based on ISO 22301:2012 standards and on Business Continue Institute (BCI) Good Practice Guidelines (GPG) and directly delivered BCM training to government officials, SMEs, and an NGO (Oxfam Philippines)
  • Drafted communication materials (annual report, newsletter articles, speeches, meeting summaries, presentations, etc.)
  • Maintained good relations with donors (ADB, GIZ, Oxfam, JICA, etc.), partners (national agencies in-charge of SMEs and DRM), and key stakeholders (SMEs, other development organizations, etc.) through meetings and regular updates

Section of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), UNESCO Head Office, Paris, France

Desk Study Consultant, September 2012 – January 2013

  • Conducted desk research and prepared a country report on policy development on ESD (including Climate Change Education, Disaster Risk Reduction Education, and skills development for green economies) in the Philippines.

Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC), World Bank Tokyo Office, Tokyo, Japan

Short-Term Consultant, May 2011 – June 2012; January 2013 – June 2013

  • Produced a session summary for non-academic readers on each of eight session topics under the Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and the Pacific – 2011 and 2013 Distance Learning Seminar Series.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Business Unit, Consumer Health Division, Novartis Healthcare, Makati, Philippines

Logistics Officer, September 2008 – February 2009

  • Handled order processing, product availability, and shipment facilitation for the following markets: Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam; liaised with suppliers in Switzerland, United Kingdom, Turkey, Pakistan, and Philippines
  • Prepared supply chain key performance indicator reports (customer service level, forecast accuracy, inventory turnover, out of stocks, etc.) and inventory level reports for submission to regional office in Australia
  • Utilized SAP in placing purchase orders; recording receipt of shipments; allocating stocks to trade, samples, destruction; etc.

Corporate Export Sales and Business Development Department (CESBD), San Miguel Corporation, Mandaluyong, Philippines

Associate Manager, January 2007 – March 2008

  • Handled 30 clients in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and West Asia, generating USD 4M in revenue in 2007; traveled to Sri Lanka, India, Angola, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE to meet with clients and for market visits
  • Generated sales volume and revenue via new market penetration, new product introduction, or new distributor linkage
  • Supervised order management and customer service; interfaced with customers effectively; acted on requests and queries promptly and to the satisfaction of the clients

Private Labels Associate, April 2003 – December 2006

  • Managed virtual product development teams, composed of members from R&D, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Logistics, QA, packaging suppliers, and clients
  • Assisted in launching 26 customized food and beverage products from 2003 to 2007 in the following markets: Korea (10), Japan (6), Cambodia (3), Vietnam (3), Thailand (2), Malaysia (1), Taiwan (1); traveled to Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, Thailand, and around the Philippines to meet with clients and suppliers
  • Coordinated client’s inspection and approval of color guides, specification sheets, prototypes/mock-ups; accompanied clients to packaging factory online approval and to plant visits; attended to quality issues raised by clients

Production Department, Pacific Glass Corporation, Mandaluyong, Philippines

Industrial Engineer, September – December 2002

  • Conducted a motion and time study (including layout analysis, capacity determination, machine maintenance scheduling, etc.)
  • Reviewed proposals from candidate suppliers
  • Created a computer program for cost estimation (glass crating costing, labor costing, etc.)

National Distribution Group (Supply Chain Solutions), Delbros, Inc., Manila, Philippines

Capacity Planner, June – September 2002

  • Established the operating procedures for the Capacity Planning function (demand forecasting, capacity requirements planning, input-output control, capacity planning for reverse logistics)
  • Monitored the daily truck utilization and prepared performance reports for higher management
  • Regularly updated the company’s delivery Service Guide

Economics and Scheduling Section, Shell Philippine Petroleum Corporation, Pililla, Philippines

Summer Intern, April – May 2001

  • Performed correlation analysis between different oil properties and process yield
  • Constructed a customer complaints database
  • Calculated fuel oil blending quality give-away

National Executive Council, Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs (PSYSC), Quezon City, Philippines

Volunteer, June 1999 – May 2002

  • National Membership Officer, 2001 – 2002
  • Resource Speaker and Organizing Committee Member, 2010 National Youth Science, Technology, and Environment Summer Camp, Royale Tagaytay Country Club, Alfonso, Cavite
  • Overall Coordinator and Marketing Committee Head, 2002 National Youth Science, Technology, and Environment Summer Camp, University of the Philippines – Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila
  • Teachers’ Facilitator, 2001 National Children’s Science Interactive Workshop, Leyte Park Resort Hotel, Tacloban City, Leyte
  • Food Committee Head, 2001 National Youth Science, Technology, and Environment Summer Camp, BSP Capitol Hills Scout Camp, Cebu City, Cebu
  • Organizing Committee Head, 2000 National Children’s Science Interactive Workshop, Air Force City, Clark Field, Pampanga
  • Accommodations Committee Head, 2000 National Youth Science, Technology, and Environment Summer Camp, Midway White Beach, Tubigan, Initao, Misamis Oriental
  • Students’ Facilitator, 1999 National Children’s Science Interactive Workshop, Panglao Resort, Calamba, Laguna

EDUCATION

Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies (GSGES), Kyoto University, Kyoto City, Japan

PhD in Global Environmental Studies, April 2012 – March 2015

  • Straight-A student, represented GSGES PhD graduates in receiving our diploma from the Kyoto University President at the university-level graduation ceremony and gave a speech on behalf of the PhD graduates at the graduate school-level graduation ceremony
  • Scholar, Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
  • Recipient, Certificate of Completion, Global Center of Excellence Program in Sustainability/Survivability Science for a Resilient Society Adaptable to Extreme Weather Conditions (GCOE-ARS), Kyoto University
  • Dissertation: “Youth Council Participation in Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction in Infanta and Makati, Philippines” (Advisor: Prof. Rajib Shaw, International Environment and Disaster Management Laboratory)
  • Team Leader (2010 – 2015), Environment and Disaster Education Working Group, IEDM Lab

Master in Environmental Management, April 2010 – March 2012

  • Straight-A student
  • Scholar, Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
  • Recipient, Certificate of Completion (Specialization in Sustainability Science)
  • Recipient, Certificate of International Environmental Leadership, International Center for Human Resource Development in Environmental Management (EML Program), Kyoto University
  • Thesis: “Youth Participation in Disaster Risk Reduction through Science Clubs in the Philippines” (Advisor: Prof. Rajib Shaw, International Environment and Disaster Management Laboratory)

Research Student, April 2009 – March 2010

  • Scholar, Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)

Faculty of Management and Development Studies, University of the Philippines Open University, Los Baños, Philippines

Master in Public Management, June 2012 – December 2020

  • Specialization in Public Policy and Program Administration (PPPA)

Diploma in Environment and Natural Resources Management (DENRM), June 2007 – April 2009    

  • No. 1 DENRM graduate (Dean’s List awardee, GWA 1.19)

College of Engineering University of the Philippines – Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, June 1997 – April 2002

  • Oblation Scholar (among the Top 50 out of 60,000 applicants), UP College Admission Test 1997
  • Scholar, Philippine Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute
  • Scholar, Avon Philippines
  • Scholar, University of the Philippines Engineering Research and Development Foundation, Inc.
  • Scholar, Analog Devices, Inc.

Zamboanga del Sur National High School, Pagadian City, Philippines

  • Valedictorian

Saint Columban Grade School, Pagadian City, Philippines

  • Salutatorian