Leia Maminta Smith was born in Batangas City and grew up in the Philippines. She moved to the US in pursuit of science and completed her PhD in Tumor Cell Biology from Northwestern University. She trained in molecular biology at Washington University in St. Louis, MO and at the National Cancer Institute, Maryland. She worked in academic and biotech organizations and is currently a scientific consultant. To explore her love of photography, she immersed herself in learning more about the history, techniques and business of photography through a Certificate Program at the Univ of WA. She is a member of Seattle Photographic Society. She has earned multiple awards from the Northwest Council of Camera Clubs and Shoreline Arts Festival. She enjoys doing portraits, nature and travel photography. She has been a volunteer for Pagdiriwang for several years as coordinator of the photography exhibit.