Ask Theory

This episode of Ask Theory was made possible by the British Council in the Philippines, in support of their Women in STEM Scholarship program. Kami Navarro is a professional science communicator based in Singapore. She manages Pinoy Scientists, a platform that aims to highlight Filipino scientists worldwide and their stories. She is also part of the Panel of Experts for the International Science C...

This episode of Ask Theory was made possible by the British Council in the Philippines, in support of their Women in STEM Scholarship program. Jana Quismundo is a recent Master's in Neuroscience graduate. Under the European Erasmus Mundus program, she spent the last two years in Germany and the Netherlands studying at the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She...

This episode features Mark John Mandigma, an aspiring research scientist in the field of synthetic method development and drug discovery. He is currently on a research exchange program (Elite Network of Bavaria/Swiss European Mobility Program) at Universität Zürich, Switzerland. We talked about the most remarkable thing he learned as a chemist, the chemical processes involved in his research, usin...

This episode features Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo, a neuro-ophthalmologist and public health advocate focused on tobacco control. He is the executive director of the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA).  We talked about the difference between secondhand smoke and thirdhand smoke, the diseases that can result from exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke, secondhand smoke during the CO...

This episode features Hillary Diane Andales, a science communicator and astrophysicist-in-training. In 2017, she won the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, an annual global competition for students to inspire creative thinking about science. She is currently an undergraduate researcher at the MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research. We talked about her research in astrophysics and obse...

This episode features Timothy James Cipriano, a geographer whose research is focused on hazards and disasters, urban and environmental studies, and disease geographies. He used to work with the UP Resilience Institute, and recently volunteered as a data validator for the UP COVID-19 Pandemic Response Team. We talked about the significance of geography, why science should always be done with the pe...

This episode features Dr. Inez Ponce de Leon, a molecular biologist and science communicator. She is an Associate Professor at the Department of Communication at the Ateneo de Manila University, as well as a weekly columnist for the Philippine Daily Inquirer. We talked about styles of science communication in the Philippines, having inclusive conversations about science, the trap of falling in lov...

This episode features Dr. Carlo A. Arcilla, a geologist and the Director of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI). We talked about how nuclear medicine can help in the fight against cancer, the role of nuclear science in the pandemic, how nuclear technology helps with food productivity, nuclear science and climate change, the Bataan Nuclear Powe...

This episode features Prof. Phillip Alviola, an Associate Professor at the Institute of Biological Science at the University of the Philippines Los Baños and the UPLB Museum of Natural History’s curator for small mammals and other wildlife. He is a bat biologist who uses his expertise to study bat-borne viruses and develop community-based methodologies for monitoring biological diversity. We talke...

This episode features Tara Abrina, an environmental economist and researcher at the University of the Philippines. She is the founder of Kapit Sisid, a network of freediving and marine conservation professionals. We talked about how free-diving serves as a medium for marine conservation, the Kapit Sisid initiative, involving rural communities in environmental conservation, being a STEM worker in t...

This episode features Dr. Pierangeli Vital, an environmental microbiologist and one of the 2021 Outstanding Young Scientists recognized by the National Academy of Science and Technology. We talked about pursuing environmental microbiology research, the best and worst parts of working as a microbiologist, popular myths and misconceptions about food safety in the Philippines, what the general public...

Co-hosted by Angela Mae Bagarra of the Northern Exotics and Wildlife Troopers – Nueva Ecija Branch (NEWT-NEB), this episode features Jazz Ong, an educonservationist and the Chief Executive Officer of Wildlife Matters. We talked about how Wildlife Matters started, the King Cobra Initiative, the difference between “venomous” and “poisonous,” bringing attention to endangered species that aren’t regar...

This episode features Shaira Panela, an award-winning science writer from the Philippines. Her work has appeared in local and international publications such as Asian Scientist Magazine, GMA News Online, Rappler, and SunStar. We talked about the differences between writing about science and writing about crime, politics, or entertainment, the toughest science stories she has ever worked on, her mo...

This episode features Dr. Thomas Neil Pascual, a nuclear medicine physician and Science and Technology Fellow III for the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI). He serves as a technical adviser and research coordinator, providing high-level expertise and advice to researchers while developing and implementing projects aimed at applying quality man...

Co-hosted by Daisy Acuña of the Veterinary Circle for 10, this episode features Dr. Jose Isagani "J.I." Janairo. He is a Full Professor at the Biology Department of De La Salle University, where he also serves as the Head of the Biological Control Research Unit under the Center for Natural Sciences and Environmental Research.  We talked about how microplastics end up in the ocean, the adverse...

This episode features Jay Fidelino, a wildlife biologist working with the Biodiversity Research Laboratory of the University of the Philippines Diliman’s Institute of Biology. We talked about life as a wildlife biologist, working in a research laboratory, the many fascinating things about bats, common misconceptions about bats, initiatives for conservation education, and more. [0:00] A quotable qu...

This episode features Lisa Paguntalan, the Executive Director of the Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. We talked about the work of a biodiversity conservationist, the challenges in Philippine biodiversity conservation, inspiring ordinary citizens to become biodiversity conservationists, the amazing rediscovery of a Philippine species once thought extinct, and more. [0:00] A qu...

This episode features Engr. Marlon Llana, the Technical and Operations Director at Nanotech Analytical Services and Training Corp (NASAT). We talked about disruptive technologies, nanotechnology and its impact in our everyday lives, how radical technologies may affect the Pinoy job market, and more. [0:22] A quotable quote from Engr. Marlon Llana. [1:33] Introducing Engr. Marlon. [4:42] Engr. Marl...

This episode features Kristine Buenafe, a quantitative marine biologist. She is a graduate of the TROPIMUNDO program, an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems. We talked about quantitative marine biology, community-based species conservation and management, marine protected areas, the TROPIMUNDO program, the dynamics of biodiversity conservation, and more. [0:0...

This episode features Genea Nichole Cortez, a mangrove botanist and professional teacher. We talked about the challenges of teaching science in a virtual setup, how learners are adjusting to online science education, effective techniques for teaching science to elementary, high school and college students, how to encourage student participation in online learning, areas for improvement in Philippi...

This episode features Dr. Michael C. Velarde, a professor at the Institute of Biology, University of the Philippines Diliman. He has a strong background in the study of female reproduction, aging, and related diseases. One of his research projects involves studying how environmental chemicals influence disease development and progression. We talked about PFAS and the health risks associated with t...

This episode features Vince Davidson Pacañot, an Energy Engineering graduate student at the University of the Philippines Diliman and an SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) advocate affiliated with the 2030 Youth Force in the Philippines Inc. We talked about the current state of the Philippine energy sector, coal power plants in the Philippines, the need for sustainable...

This episode features Matthew Vincent Tabilog, a senior BS Marine Biology student from Silliman University and founder of Mangrove Matters PH. We talked about common misconceptions regarding mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs, the importance of blue carbon, the effects of reclamation projects on the environment, the truth behind the climate crisis, the Mangrove Matters PH initiative, and more.

This episode features Peter James Abad, a genetic counselor and full-time educator at the University of the Philippines Manila’s College of Nursing. He is also affiliated with the Genetic Counseling Training Program under the Department of Pediatrics of the university’s College of Medicine. We talked about what genetic counseling is, the roles and responsibilities of a genetic counselor, the right...

This episode features Angelica Yang, a multi-awarded science journalist covering the energy and environment beats for BusinessWorld, the oldest business newspaper in the Philippines. We talked about energy and climate reporting, finding the right stories to focus on, the main job of a science journalist, writing for an international audience, and more.