Maria Theresa Medina Castro is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Cooperatives and Bio-Enterprise Development (ICOPED), College of Economics and Management, University of the Philippines Los Banos. She finished her Master’s degree in Development Studies with Distinction at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. For the past 10 years, she has been involved in different international and local research projects focused on gender, agriculture, climate change, disaster risk management, and international rural development. These research involvements showcase her professional exposure in conducting participatory (action) research and development, as well as her great passion for contributing to the development of marginalized groups including women, children, sexual and gender minorities, and displaced people (i.e. refugees). Her recent gender research studies are entitled “Strengthening Capacities Towards a Resilient Future: The Case of Sexual and Gender Minorities in Tacloban City, Philippines after the 2013 Typhoon Haiyan” and “How Do Cooperatives Enable Empowerment Among Rural Women? Evidence from the Municipality of Cavinti, Laguna.” In addition, her research interest includes social innovation and social enterprise development. She plans to pursue PhD studies in this field.