With more than fifteen years of Friendship, the Founders started their humble beginnings in the city of Puerto Princesa. 

The three met as freshmen in Palawan State University - Laboratory High School and were part of the Pioneer of the Special Science Class in 2008. During these high school years, they would eventually form their thesis group in their junior and senior year. In March 2012, Acosta and Cervantes graduated top of the class as Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively, with Malolos following in Fifth Honors. Upon college, the founders pursued (individually) fields in Theoretical and Applied Physics, Petroleum Engineering, and Computer Science. 

The Founders reunited in their alma mater as College Professors in their respective colleges. Talks about starting a company started then as potential research and innovation topics were passionately studied by the three. 

Then, one Friday afternoon, on the 13th of September 2024, APPLIED MINDS COLLECTIVE has officially started.

Co-Founder, Applied Minds Collective

Geronimo Allan Jerome G. Acosta is a Physicist, educator, and research consultant with a robust background in applied sciences, intellectual property, and academic leadership. As a co-founder of Applied Minds Collective, he contributes his expertise to provide integrated, research-based solutions that drive community development and innovation in science and technology.

Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Palawan State University's Biophysical Department, Allan delivers theoretical and research-based instruction in physics while mentoring undergraduate research projects. He also holds affiliate positions with the university’s Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office and the Palawan International Technology Business Incubator, where he provides expert guidance on patent search, drafting, and innovation support.

His research contributions span geospatial analysis, environmental science, and smart technology systems, including recent projects like the Banay Hangin air quality monitoring system and energy-efficient temperature-controlled storage technologies. Alongside his co-founder Engr. Michael B. Cervantes, has also filed multiple patents in the Philippines for practical and inventive devices.

Allan holds an MS in Physics (non-thesis) and is a PhD candidate at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He graduated cum laude with a BS in Physics and is an active member of several national scientific organizations, including the National Research Council of the Philippines and Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas.

Driven by a commitment to interdisciplinary knowledge, Allan bridges academic rigor with real-world application—supporting researchers, innovators, and technopreneurs in translating ideas into impact.

Co-Founder, Applied Minds Collective

Engr. Michael B. Cervantes is a Petroleum Engineer, educator, and technopreneur with a strong background in process operations, engineering education, and technology incubation. As a co-founder of Applied Minds Collective, he contributes his expertise in energy systems, technical mentorship, and research commercialization to support sustainable innovation and community-focused solutions.

Michael currently serves as an Instructor in the Petroleum Engineering Department of Palawan State University and is a technical affiliate of the Palawan International Technology Business Incubator (PITBI). His academic involvement bridges theoretical instruction with real-world engineering applications, particularly in the areas of refinery operations and process systems.

He brings industry experience from his previous role as a Field Technician at JG Summit Olefins Corporation’s Naphtha Cracker Plant, where he handled operations related to ethylene and propylene production, including pump management, compressor systems, and plant safety protocols. His foundational experience in industrial operations is complemented by a deep commitment to safety, training, and mentorship.

A cum laude graduate of Palawan State University with a BS in Petroleum Engineering, Michael has completed his MS in Technopreneurship at the same institution. Alongside his co-founder Geronimo Allan Jerome G. Acosta, he has filed multiple patents in the Philippines, reflecting their joint commitment to inventive, real-world problem-solving.

Driven by a practical mindset and entrepreneurial spirit, Michael fosters the integration of engineering knowledge with startup innovation, helping bridge technical disciplines and business strategy at Applied Minds Collective.

Co-Founder, Applied Minds Collective

Jean Villar Malolos is a Data Scientist, educator, software developer and technopreneur passionate about empowering communities through data-driven innovation and sustainable digital solutions. As CEO and co-founder of Applied Minds Collective, she leads initiatives that integrate software development, research, and entrepreneurship to address complex social and environmental challenges.

With extensive experience in Natural Language Processing (NLP), machine learning, algorithmics and computational science, Jean has contributed to DOST-funded research at National University, focusing on public health and adverse drug event surveillance using NLP and machine learning approaches. And has ongoing research on protein interaction networks utilizing graph theory combinatorial approaches at University of the Philippines.

Jean is also a seasoned educator, having taught computer science, technopreneurship, and computational theory at institutions including the Far Eastern University, University of Santo Tomas, and Palawan State University. Her multidisciplinary expertise bridges computer science, public health, and bioinformatics.

She has co-authored studies on intelligent health surveillance, protein interaction networks, and smart environmental applications—most notably, the Eco Kolek mobile app for sustainable waste collection management, presented at IEEE conferences.

Jean is an MS Computer Science candidate at the University of the Philippines Diliman, where she is a DOST-ERDT scholar. She graduated cum laude with a BS in Computer Science from Palawan State University. She is affiliated with the University of the Philippines' Algorithms and Complexity Laboratory (ACL), IEEE (Student), and occasionally in the Computing Society of the Philippines.

Her vision for Applied Minds Collective is rooted in inclusive innovation—merging science, technology, and local insight to build impactful, scalable solutions for communities across the Philippines.