It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Jose Maria “Joma” L. Escaner IV, Full Professor of Mathematics. A conscientious teacher and brilliant mathematician, he made contributions in the fields of actuarial science, mathematical finance, mathematical biology, and differential equations.
Joma earned from UP Diliman his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (1990) and Master of Science in Applied Mathematics (with a specialization in Actuarial Science, 1993), and his PhD in Mathematics (2001). He did part of his PhD research at Waseda University, where he had been a Research Student for two years in the late 1990s.
Throughout his more than three decades of teaching, Joma guided undergraduate, MS, and PhD candidates through their academic journeys, instilling in them a passion for mathematics and a commitment to honor and excellence. The University recognized his dedication to and excellence in teaching when he was conferred the UP Diliman Gawad Tsanselor para sa Natatanging Guro in 2021.
As the Academic Head of the Institute’s Mathematical Finance and Actuarial Science Group, Joma played a pivotal role in shaping the curriculum and fostering an inclusive academic environment. A regular member of the DOST National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), he was known for his contributions to understanding mathematical models in finance and insurance, with numerous publications in WoS- and SCOPUS-indexed journals. His notable works also include studies on parabolic equations, the unique solvability of singular partial differential equations, and innovative approaches to quantile risk measures using extreme value theory.
In addition to his teaching and research, Joma had served the University and the Philippine mathematics community in various capacities: He was Assistant College Secretary and later the Associate Dean for Student Affairs at the College of Science. He was former president of the UP Diliman Mathematics Foundation. At the time of his passing, he was President of the Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP), after serving for two years as Treasurer.
Beyond his academic achievements, Joma was known for his warmth and kindness towards his students and colleagues. He will be sorely missed.
Source: UP Diliman Institute of Mathematics Facebook