Mr. Bernard Alan “BA” Racoma – Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology
Mr. Bernard Alan "BA" Racoma - Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology
Bernard Alan “BA” Racoma is currently a 3rd year PHD student and an instructor in the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM). Through a scholarship, he is taking up a double degree: a PHD in Meteorology at the University of the Philippines Diliman and a PHD in Atmosphere, Oceans and Climate at the University of Reading in the UK.
Before his doctorate studies, he also ventured into the world of Applied Physics as an undergraduate and Geology as an MS student. That being mentioned, BA has studied and is currently studying multiple disciplines and calls himself a hybrid scientist. “It allows me to see multiple, holistic perspectives. It also lets me understand how one field affects the other and, more importantly, how these scientific fields relate to social studies and humanities,” he says.
In 2011, BA was recruited as part of the ClimateX project where he helped in developing a tool to convert satellite data into meaningful information that will predict rainfall. The tool is helpful in monitoring rainfall during extreme weather events like tropical cyclones and enhanced monsoons. In 2016, he joined DOST’s Project Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards or Project NOAH. Project NOAH is a response program that monitors satellite or radar data used for real time risk assessment. Through this, they were able to provide the list and maps of high-risk areas that were used by different agencies to respond and manage the typhoon. These projects were carried on to monitor other succeeding weather events. As an IT Officer of NOAH, he led the IT and web development team before he moved on to take further studies in 2018.
BA wants to relay the importance of science communicators. Although he believes that people generally have more awareness of the weather, atmospheric and climate status because of the use of different social media platforms, he still thinks that there is a need to bridge the gap that sets apart the scientific community and the society. “A scientist’s mission should not only be to publish a paper, but also to be able to relay their research to the public through effectively translating its findings and implications.”
BA hopes to inspire more Filipino scientists in the future as he plans to continue teaching in IESM after he finishes his PHD. He is greatly knowledgeable in Geographic Information System (GIS) Mapping and Programming and this is one of the skills that he wants future environmental scientists and meteorologists to learn. He wants to relay the importance of good mentorship to people who are still creating the person they want to be. Some students that he used to mentor in the past have become engineers, doctors or taking up higher studies, and he feels fulfillment in this. “Although I did not directly help them in becoming professionals, I’d like to think that I somehow inspired them,” he adds.
“In whatever science you are studying, besides asking all questions you need to understand, try to look at what you’re studying from different perspectives and always think how your science can be of benefit to people,” says BA to those who want to pursue higher studies and research.
For weather updates and important information, you may follow BA on twitter: @bumaBAgyo
Dr. Aletta Yniguez – Marine Science Institute
Dr. Aletta Yniguez – Marine Science Institute
As a faculty member and scientist in the Marine Science Institute (MSI), Dr. Aletta Yñiguez’ area of interest includes marine ecology, biological oceanography, ecological modelling, and dynamics of marine systems. Currently, she is still focusing on these specializations but with a distinct objective—to develop tools model for sustainable fisheries that will be accessible not only to big industries but also to small-scale fisherfolks.
Dr. Yñiguez started immersing herself into the Philippine waters, literally, when she came back to the country after finishing her PhD degree in Miami, Florida, 14 years ago. Since then, she has contributed to and headed numerous publications and research projects, taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses, went on many scientific dives and research cruises, and was recognized by many award-giving bodies. Needless to say, she is one of the Philippines’ most successful marine scientists.
But what does a successful and socially aware scientist like Dr. Yñiguez want more in their scientific journey?
It is her ultimate goal to generate scientific information, tools and systems that help ensure the health of our ocean resources; this includes developing decision-support systems for resource managers like BFAR, DENR, as well as coastal communities. Particularly, these tools and systems provide real-time ocean status. This data and information are then used to forecast probable change in the conditions of the water that may help decision-makers like LGUs determine the best course of response to take. This will greatly help the public as most sea-related issues generally affect them, taking red tide as an example.
One of her recent projects, together with three other MSI researchers, is the “ARAICoBeH” System. This very resourceful and creative instrument, mainly made up of an underwater camera, stabilizer, laser lights, GPS and echo sounder, is an inexpensive alternative tool for capturing underwater images such as coral reefs. This innovation saves time and resources as it makes scientific diving assessments unnecessary, while producing similar results
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Dr. Yñiguez is also involved in extension programs such as organizing summer camps and marine science events for the youth because she believes that producing advocates of science starts at the basic level of education and that there is a need to strongly enhance scientific literacy in the country.
“Different methods are already used in foreign countries, but some are out-of-reach as of now. So we are hoping to create something Philippine-made that is also accessible and easy to adapt,” Dr. Yñiguez says as she expresses her plans to develop more tools and approaches to sustain the country’s ocean resources and protect marine ecosystems.
Dr. Reina Reyes – National Institute of Physics
Dr. Reina Reyes - National Institute of Physics
It was in 2014 when Dr. Reinabelle Reyes decided to go back home to the Philippines and eventually settle. At the height of her scientific career abroad, with her confirming Einstein’s theory of relativity and making headlines for her scientific discoveries and achievements, she questioned herself,
“What was all of it for?” She was experiencing a midlife crisis and wanted to do something more fulfilling — being a scientist serving her own country.
Reyes is an astrophysicist and data scientist who took her PhD in Astrophysics in Princeton University after graduating BS Physics in Ateneo de Manila University. When she made the big move from Chicago back to the country she grew up in, she found herself slowly moving from astrophysics to a data science-focused career.
One of the remarkable things she started when she came back was a blog called Pinoy Scientists. Growing up, she was inspired and encouraged by role models and mentors who greatly influenced the scientist she is today. She also wanted to do such for the youth and this became her major goal in creating the blog, which eventually became an Instagram and Facebook blog account where the tagline was “Yes, we exist.” Every week, the account was taken over by one scientist who would share their research and life stories in their own words and ways. Additionally, the platform aims for her peers to reach out to a wider audience, voice out, and build linkages with other scientists. It has been nine years since the creation of Pinoy Scientists but the blog is still steadily growing over these years, catering to Filipino scientists all over the world.
Currently, Reyes is working with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in the laboratory called “Pintig Lab,” to apply data science and analytics to developmental problems. As the lab’s chief technical adviser, she supports and guides the lab’s initiatives to monitor and track the COVID-19 pandemic and provide data-driven support to DOH, IATF, and other agencies in their response and recovery efforts. “The [COVID-19] pandemic showed the importance of timely and accurate data and the need to invest in people who have the skills and mindset to collect, organize, analyze and present data to decision makers,” says Reyes whose current goal is to contribute to helping PH achieve the sustainable development goals.
She also used to travel to deliver talks around the country which was recently diverted into online talks with today’s current challenges. While still sharing topics on astrophysics, Reyes is more dedicated to sharing her experience and knowledge on data science, hoping to spread its importance to many societal aspects and of course, to inspire younger generations.
In UP, Reyes is also helping undergraduate and graduate students in addressing societal challenges by way of research. She believes that faster solutions can be done through accurate and thorough research. Through being a teacher, she hopes to nurture Pinoy scientists who will have the heart to do scientific research for the betterment of the country. She is currently an Associate Professor at the National Institute of Physics and heads the Data & Computation Research Group under the Theoretical Physics Group. The group’s research interests currently fall under topics in data-driven astronomy— including gravitational wave astronomy and extragalactic astrophysics— and computational physics and data analysis— including machine learning and data for social good.
Reyes is open to visiting other countries to give talks but she expressed that she is happier doing public service here in the Philippines as a data scientist. She has worked in many private companies and government offices here with this specialty and so far, she is feeling content and satisfied with where she is now.
“With the connectedness of the world, it is easy for the youth to gain new knowledge everyday. Use the resources we have today to satisfy your curious minds.” These are her words of wisdom to the youth. She wants to encourage scientists of today to support the next generation of scientists so that the country becomes a better place for learning and doing science.
UP Diliman College of Science Statement on Ethical Research Involving Indigenous Peoples
UP Diliman College of Science Statement on Ethical Research Involving Indigenous Peoples
In light of the recent issues on the collection of genomic data from our Indigenous Peoples (IPs), the College of Science reiterates the importance of going through the proper channels and respecting the mandates of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB).
Scientists have been interested in conducting research (e.g. genetic analysis) involving the IPs as they reveal a lot about their community’s history, migration, adaptations, language, etc. The PHREB, as mandated by Republic Act No. 10532, requires all research that involves human subjects to undergo an ethical review and clearance from a PHREB-accredited Research Ethics Committee before its conduct. This is to ensure the safety and well-being of the research participants and, in this case, the IPs.
The College of Science strives to comply with the laws and regulations before conducting research and experiments, especially when it involves human subjects. The College, as one of the active institutions that produce respected scientists, will not tolerate that its constituents skip or neglect these necessary ethical steps.
We encourage every researcher, not just from the College, to preserve and respect the culture, tradition and dignity of IPs in the Philippines by strictly abiding by the implementing rules and regulations of the PHREB and NCIP. Above all our scientific endeavors, we must also be mindful of the social impact of our goals.
CS Freshie Orientation Program 2021
CS Freshie Orientation Program 2021
Moratorium on Student Loans for Academic Year 2021-2022
NIGSCON 2021
This October, the University of the Philippines National Institute of Geological Sciences brings you… NIGSCON 2021! With the theme “Overcoming Barriers, Strengthening Connections”, the research symposium features the latest research findings, developments, and emerging trends in petrography, geochemistry, mineral and energy resources, tectonics, geophysics, stratigraphy, paleontology, surface processes, and geological hazards. Learn how earth scientists overcome challenges and pursue research amidst the pandemic.
Your participation and research contributions will help make this event a success! Submit your abstract/s through https://tinyurl.com/nigscon2021 on or before 24 September 2021. Follow this template for your abstract submission: https://tinyurl.com/nigscon2021abstract.
Registration is free! Pre-register at https://tinyurl.com/nigscon2021reg.
See you (virtually) on 13-14 October 2021!
First Semester AY 2021-2022 General Registration Reminders
PRESS RELEASE: Filipino study shows high levels of “forever chemicals” in women with breast cancer in the Greater Manila Area
PRESS RELEASE
Filipino study shows high levels of “forever chemicals” in
women with breast cancer in the Greater Manila Area
A recent study headed by UP Diliman Professor Dr. Michael Velarde was conducted to provide data on the exposure of Filipino women to 41 endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs, when absorbed by the human body, can interfere with the normal function of the endocrine system and can cause a wide variety of health issues.
After analyzing EDC concentration through urine and blood samples of 150 participants who were half breast cancer patients and half with no breast cancer, Velarde et al.’s study showed high PFAS exposure in Filipina breast cancer patients. It also highlighted that long-chain PFAS (PFAS molecules with longer carbon backbone) levels were significantly higher in women from the CALABARZON region, a heavily industrialized region compared to the National Capital Region (NCR). Additionally, the study found out that factory workers had significantly higher levels of PFOSA (a type of PFAS) compared to non-factory workers; household workers had significantly elevated PFDoA blood serum concentrations compared to non-household workers. PFOSA and PFDoA are types of PFAS.
Forever Chemicals, or Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are a group of man-made chemicals that are widely used in a variety of industries. They can be found in food packaging, non-stick cookware, stain- and water-repellent fabrics, paints, cosmetics, and a lot more items that people may see, use, and consume everyday. The study was able to determine that chemicals present in these household items are risk factors for breast cancer occurrence.
PFAS are very persistent in the human body and our environment; they can take up to 1000 years to break down. This means that these chemicals are a threat to public and environmental health. Common ways of human exposure to PFAS are through contaminated water, food, and even air, and through skin exposure to household consumer products that contain PFAS.
Studies like this have continuously reiterated the negative impacts of certain chemical exposure on women’s health, especially those of pregnant women and mothers. Breast cancer is now the most common form of cancer globally, with the Philippines having the highest prevalence of breast cancer in Asia, and approximately 70% of breast cancer cases occur in women with undetermined risk factors, such as non-stick cookware, furniture, food packaging and wrappers, etc.
Many organizations all over the world have expressed their position on this major health issue, calling for an urgent need to protect people and the environment from these harmful synthetic chemicals. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) recommends PFAS-free clothing, food packaging, and furniture. It also urges governments to prioritize legislation to phase out all non-essential uses and manufacturing of PFAS, starting with uses that are likely to result in greater exposures to pregnant women and children.
Supporting FIGO and its call to a global phase-out of non-essential PFAS, Velarde et al. also hope the data they have gathered will encourage the government to also check up on our status as a country and take action on this current environmental and public health problem.
The publication, Elevated levels of perfluoroalkyl substances in breast cancer patients within the Greater Manila Area, is a collaborative project between UP Diliman Institute of Biology, UP Manila Philippine General Hospital and the UCSF in California USA through the CHED-Philippine-California Advanced Research Institutes.