S&T Experts Share Their S&T Journey to the Students, Teachers during S&T Talk

Author: Abigail Atienza Published: Sep. 01, 2023

As part of the celebration of its Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week, the DOST-NCR spearheaded the “S&T Talk: Fostering a Culture of Innovation and Technopreneurship” on August 30, 2023 at the Kalayaan Hall, SM Aura Tower, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City highlighting breakthroughs made by local scientists that contribute to the nation’s economic development.

Moderated by Dr. Ruby Roan-Cristobal of the Science Communicators Philippines, Inc., three of the country’s distinguished scientists presented their ground-breaking works and discussed how these would solve society’s problems.

Dr. Raul V. Destura, CEO and Founder of Manila HealthTek, Inc. narrated their company’s struggles in commercializing their disease detection kit prototypes that led him to establish the Manila HealthTek Inc. The company’s biggest break came when they developed a COVID-19 detection kit during the pandemic in response to the country’s need for a low-cost detection kit.

Dr. Rico C. Ancog, Dean of the University of the Philippines-Los Banos School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM), talked about the blue economy and the measures that need to be done to fully realize the potential of coastal and marine resources. The findings from his projects, which he undertook in collaboration with different agencies, suggested that a strategic, integrated and participatory approach must be enforced to protect and develop our coastal and marine areas.

Lastly, Dr. Michael B. Baylon, Senior Structural Health Engineer of USHER Technologies, shared that their Structural Health Monitoring System (SHMS) aims to alleviate casualties and structural damage due to natural disasters. Through the SHMS’s continuous monitoring capability, early warning, recommendations, and risk reduction strategies can be made based on the current performance of a structure.

Two next generation scientists also gave their impressions and their early-life experience in the sciences. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students, Ms. Aprelle Rowena F. Simora, a scholar from the Sen. Renato “Companero” Cayetano Memorial Science and Technology High School, and Ms. Ruth Paula P. Buhion, a BS Nutrition student from the University of the Philippines-Los Banos, shared their motivations in choosing the STEM strand and their positive experiences as Science and Technology (S&T) scholars. Both women emphasized the role and importance of science, technology, and innovation in improving individuals, communities, and our nation.

The S&T Talk is a regular activity of the DOST-NCR to inspire students to pursue STEM courses and careers.