Women in STEM: Dr. Marienette Morales Vega
Dr. Marienette “Moe” Morales Vega is an associate professor and director of the Materials Science and Engineering Program of the College of Science, UP Diliman (UPD). Having years of training in materials science and spectroscopy, her current research endeavors include nanoparticles in environmental monitoring and biological sensing.
During the time when the Materials Science program was still being instituted in UPD, Dr. Vega already found interest in this interdisciplinary field. It appealed to her because of its broader application and the unlimited areas that can be explored such as nanotechnology. Her foundations and techniques learned in physics can also be applied in material science.
Dr. Moe finished both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Physics in UPD and decided to pursue advanced studies abroad in 2005. She did another MS Physics in the University of South Florida before venturing into Nanotechnology for her doctoral studies at the University of Trieste in Italy.
Like most of the women who pursue higher studies abroad, Dr. Vega also had her fair share of discriminatory encounters with regard to her gender. She met Filipinos in Italy who were surprised to learn that a pinay is there for advanced studies. “Nowadays, we see more and more Filipinas pursuing science studies abroad and I am proud to be counted in the statistics of Filipina who did so. I hope that someday, people will not be shocked to learn that Filipinas are abroad for science,” Dr. Moe says.
Dr. Moe is married to a Dr. Michael Francis Ian Vega who is currently a professor at the National Institute of Physics in UPD. They pursued their higher studies and postdoctoral fellowships together in the US, Italy and Canada, all while raising their two children. Dr. Moe considers this a very challenging part of her life, but she is thankful not just for her very supportive husband but for the inclusive and accepting environment they experienced abroad.
Apart from having the scientific resources needed for her research accessible, affordable childcare was her savior during these times. As a mother of 2 young kids and a doctoral student, being unable to be there 24/7 for her children was difficult. She had doubts at first, but daycares in the countries they have been in were reliable and safe. She learned that it was the best option since her children can be with and interact with other children. “This is what I want to see in the Philippines soon. I hope we can build a nurturing environment like childcare centers for children whose parents are working, especially mothers,” Dr. Moe says as she observed these differences when her family came back to the Philippines.
The nanomaterials professor who is now teaching in UPD for 4 years emphasizes the importance of having a role model in the path one has chosen. She considers renowned scientists Dr. Cristine Villagonzalo and the late Dr. Maria Victoria Bernido as her career role models. And now, being a mentor herself, she also aspires to inspire the youth to be passionate with their dreams and encourage them to pursue their scientific goals.
Dr. Moe hopes that the country’s next leaders will reflect more support to scientists and researchers. “I hope they also continue to provide more conducive environments and present opportunities for women so they will not have doubts in getting involved with a science career. If women are given the right support, they can become role models themselves.”
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