Scientific Leadership

Dr. Christopher Monterola is a physicist and AI scientist whose work sits at the intersection of rigorous research and real-world impact. He holds the Aboitiz Chair in Data Science at the Asian Institute of Management, where he founded the Aboitiz School of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (ASITE). As Principal Scientist and Executive Managing Director of the Analytics, Computing, and Complex Systems (ACCeSs) Lab, his core focus is on R&D and the development of data and AI products that address complex, high-stakes challenges across urban systems, public health, agriculture, finance, and beyond.

Beyond the lab, Dr. Monterola has designed and built hundreds of business-driven, highly customized AI models and systems across industries ranging from retail and logistics to finance and urban infrastructure. He also serves as an advisor to technology companies on AI strategy, data architecture, and the responsible deployment of machine learning at scale. As co-founder of CorteX Innovations, he works with organizations to translate AI and data science capabilities into practical, measurable outcomes.

His leadership at the ACCeSs Lab has driven multi-million-dollar initiatives addressing critical challenges in both the public and private sectors. He has advised senior government and industry stakeholders on science, technology, and innovation in the Philippines and Singapore, including his role in shaping the Philippines’ national AI roadmap. As an Academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology — the highest recognition for scientists in the Philippines — he contributes to shaping national science and technology policy.

Previous Positions

  • Senior Scientist and Capability Group Manager of the Complex Systems (CxSy) Capability Group, Computing Science Department, Institute of High-Performance Computing, A*STAR, Singapore (August 2013-August 2017)
  • Principal Investigator/Scientific Director, Complex Systems Programme, A*STAR Urban Systems Initiative (2012-present)
  • Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Complexity Institute, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. (October 2015-2020)
  • Associate Professor 7, National Institute of Physics, UP Diliman (2005-2012)
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden (2003-2005)

Experience

  1. ASITE School Head

    Asian Institute of Management
    Chris is the founding school head of the Aboitiz School of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (ASITE). ASITE is home to six academic programs, namely the Ph.D. in Data Science program, M.Sc. in Data Science, B.Sc. in Data Science and Business Administration, Master in Innovation and Business, Master in Entrepreneurship, and Master in Data Analytics.
  2. Professor of Data Science and AI

    Asian Institute of Management
    Prof. Monterola handles different courses on artificial intelligence and machine learning. He also mentors MSDS and PhD in Data Science students, training them in data science and artificial intelligence.
  3. Academic Program Director, Ph.D. in Data Science

    Asian Institute of Management
    Chris is the founding director of AIM’s PhD in Data Science, the first doctoral program in data science in the Philippines. The program is also known for producing the country’s first PhD graduates in Data Science.
  4. Co-Founder and Strategic Advisor

    CorteX Innovations, Corp.
    Chris is a co-Founder of tech company, CorteX Innovations, Corp. CorteX helps organizations design and execute practical data, AI, and digital transformation strategies—from governance and maturity assessment to real-world AI solutions.

Education

  1. Postdoctoral Fellow in Complex Systems

    Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems
  2. PhD Physics

    University of the Philippines Diliman
  3. MSc Physics

    University of the Philippines Diliman
  4. BSc Physics

    University of the Philippines Diliman