[2] Roman presently sits as the chairperson of the board of trustees of the International Rice Research Institute and is Professor Emerita at the Cesar E.A.

Roman took her secondary education (highschool) at the University of the Philippines Rural High School at Los Baños, Laguna.

[3] On November 17, 2004, the 12-member Board of Regents declared a 6–6 tie between Roman and her closest rival, Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Edgardo B. Espiritu.

Among candidates for the presidency includes the English and Comparative Literature chairperson Dr. Consolacion R. Alaras, well-known lawyer[4] Soledad C. de Castro, former Mass Communication dean Dr. Georgina R. Encanto, former University of the East chancellor Dr. Ernesto S. de Castro, former Food Technology director Dr. Eduardo C. Sison, chemistry professor Dr. Ester A. Garcia, businessman and professor Dr. Federico M. Macaranas, political and economic analyst and commentator Prof. Solita C. Monsod, and retired Justice Abraham F.

[1] In order to break the tie between Roman and Espiritu, another Board of Regents meeting was set on November 22, where she was elected over 7-5-vote unanimous decision.