Dr.Magno has done studies on the absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy of crystals, specifically rare-earth crystals; effects of typhoons on the distribution of atmospheric ozone; sky luminosity; atmospheric radiation; gravitation; and the philosophy of science. He is a co-author of University Physics, a textbook in physics at the University of the Philippines.

Dr. Magno was UP Endowment Professorial Chair holder in physics from 1973-1976 and recipient of a UNDP-WMO Fellowship in environmental physics and ozone research in 1974. He became Vice-President for Academic Affairs at the UP in 1975. In 1976, Dr. Magno was appointed Chairman of the National Science Development Board (NSDB), and in 1978, when the NSDB became a ministry, he became the first Minister of Science.