Behind The Science Podcast

Cloud physicist Marco Polo A. Ibañez shares his experience in weather modeling and his research on raindrop size distribution during the Southwest Monsoon in Western Luzon. He also shares the importance of measuring the raindrop size in better understanding atmospheric processes. ⌛Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Weather Modeling 03:00 Experience at the Manila Observatory and NASA 06:07 Growing Int...

Marine biologist Marivic Pepino discusses her research on deep sea precious corals in Japan. She explores the ecological significance of these corals, their use in jewelry, and the challenges posed by overexploitation. Marivic shares insights on her work involving artificial fertilization, coral restoration, and genetic analysis to help sustain coral populations. This in-depth conversation offers...

Mr. Raymond Rodolfo shares his research on the gas bubbles coming off the seafloor in a diving site in Mabini, Batangas, which is popular for its marine biodiversity. This is called submarine groundwater discharge, which can have profound implications on our understanding of coral reefs and ocean acidification. This phenomenon is also not unique to Mabini, Batangas, and is reported in many coastal...

Dr. Loraine Pastoriza Primaleon discusses her experience in the geothermal industry. She shares her unexpected journey to becoming a geologist, her decision to pursue a PhD, and the challenges she faced in her research. She also discusses the results of her study on fractures in geothermal systems and the importance of having the right mentor and opportunities in the field of science.⌛Chapters00:...

In this episode of Behind The Science Podcast, we explore disaster resilience in the Philippines with Koji Elegado and Reina Chong. They discuss their climate change and disaster risk research, focusing on Catanduanes, a region often hit by typhoons. We will learn about the factors affecting resilience such as socioeconomic conditions, gender differences, and urban vs. rural vulnerabilities. The c...

Mr. Sandy Rey Bradecina, an associate professor at Central Bicol State University and a PhD student at Kochi University, discusses his research on parasites called trematodes found in marine snails. He explains the complex life cycle of these parasites, their potential impact on both marine organisms and humans, and how they can spread through various hosts, including snails, fish, and birds. He a...

In this episode of Behind the Science Podcast, we dive deep into the fascinating interaction between coral reefs, sea level changes, and tectonics with geoscientist Jeffrey Munar. Specializing in marine acoustics, coastal geomorphology, and geospatial analysis. Jeffrey shares his findings about the morphology of Apo Reef and Tubbataha Reef and how it relates to sea level change and tectonics durin...

Dr. Andrian Gajigan, a microbial oceanographer, shares insights from his research on marine microbes around Benham Rise in the Philippines. He discusses the vital role of these microbes in the ocean ecosystem, their diversity at varying depths, and the methods used to study them. Dr. Gajigan also reflects on the challenges of conducting field research and his future plans to explore marine viruses...

Ms. Tara Abrina shares her unique journey into marine economics, her research on coral reef valuation and fisheries value chains, and her experiences in citizen science initiatives in coastal communities. The conversation highlights the importance of integrating scientific research with community engagement while exploring effective methods for coral restoration. 📚Reference(s): [1] Abrina T.A. an...

Dr. Lorenzo Halasan, a Postdoctoral Researcher at the National Sun Yat-sen University, shares his research on the population genetics of the yellowstripe scad, Selaroides leptolepis, and showed a microevolution into an Asian and Australian lineage. Research spotlight: Halasan LC, Geraldino PJL and Lin H-C (2021) First Evidence of Cryptic Species Diversity and Population Structuring of Selaroides l...

Engr. Joshua Agar, a Civil Engineering professor from UP Diliman, discusses his expertise in wind engineering and its role in assessing the damage caused by Typhoon Odette. He shares his journey from shifting our from BS Political Science to Civil Engineering and specializing in wind engineering. Engr. Agar talks about his research on estimating typhoon wind speeds, his experience with structural...

Dr. Emil Joseph Vergara, a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Oxford, shares his journey from veterinary medicine to vaccine research. With a Ph. D. in immunology, Dr. Vergara discusses his work on improving dengue vaccines and the challenges faced during the pandemic. He also offers valuable advice for aspiring researchers, emphasizing the importance of finding a research niche, collab...

Ms. Jessica Legaspi, a PhD student at Kochi University, shares her research on examining the life history of squids captured in Concepcion, Iloilo using ear bones. Research spotlight: Legaspi, J. M., del Norte-Campos, A. G., & Campos, W. L. (2024). Age and Growth of the Indian Squid, Uroteuthis duvaucelii : Analysis of Statolith Microstructure and Length Frequency Data . Zoological Studies, 62...

Guest Speaker: Audrei Anne Ybañez, M.Sc. Supervising Science Research Specialist UP Resilience Institute Ms. Ybañez shares how they produced landslide susceptibility maps downscaled to the community-level for the entire Leyte province using remote sensing, numerical modelling, and GIS. Research spotlight: Eco R, Aquino D, Lagmay A et al (2015) Landslide and debris flow susceptibility mapping of Le...

In Episode 45 of the #BehindTheSciencePodcast, we talked with healthcare professionals about the feasibility of telepsychiatry to improve mental health. 👤Guest Speakers: Mr. Gregorio Candelario is the head of the Data Privacy and Telemedicine Office of the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City. Ms. Cristela Candelario is an assistant professor in the School of Medical Laboratory Scien...

👤Guest Speaker: Edwin Dumalagan, M.Sc. Assistant Professor Mindanao State University at Naawan In this episode of Behind The Science Podcast, Mr. Edwin Dumalagan shares his research on the spatial variability in benthic assemblage composition in shallow and upper mesophotic coral ecosystems in the Philippines. Research Spotlight: Dumalagan Jr, E. E., Cabaitan, P. C., Bridge, T. C., Go, K. T., Qui...

👤Guest Speaker: Lea Dasallas, Ph. D. Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Canterbury In this episode, Dr. Dasallas discusses her research on developing a multiscale flood model using variable grid sizes for the Marikina-Pasig River Basin. Research Spotlight: Dasallas, L., An, H., & Lee, S. (2022). Developing an integrated multiscale rainfall-runoff and inundation model: Application to a...

👤Guest Speaker: Regina Martha Lumongsod, M.Sc. PhD Candidate Kangwon National University In this episode, Ms. Lumongsod explains the factors that can contribute to karstification. Research Spotlight: Lumongsod, R.M.G., Ramos, N.T. & Dimalanta, C.B. Mapping the karstification potential of central Cebu, Philippines using GIS . Environ Earth Sci 81, 449 (2022). #BehindTheSciencePodcast is presen...

Guest Speaker: Orlando A. Calcetas, PhD Senior Science Research Specialist Department of Agriculture DA-RCPC-IVA-CALABARZON In this episode, Dr. Calcetas shares how he discovered a new species of leaf beetle in the Philippines and named it Podontia rustiai. Research spotlight: Calcetas O, Staines C. 2024. New Species of the Genus Podontia Dalman (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) i...

Guest Speaker: Gabriel Hildawa Research Assistant Br. Alfred Shields FSC Ocean Research Center De La Salle University In this episode, Mr. Hildawa shares how he transformed his research on using coral color to measure coral health in Calatagan, Batangas from a college thesis to a full paper published in the Philippine Journal of Science. Research spotlight: Hildawa G et al. 2024. Coral Health and...

👤Guest Speaker: Dominique Mediodia, M.Sc. Assistant Professor College of Fisheries and Ocean SciencesUniversity of the Philippines Visayas Mr. Dominique Mendiodia shares his experiences in studying fish fossils (Paleoichthyology) in the Philippines. ⌛Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 01:57 What got me interested into science 07:13 Why I chose fisheries for college 11:51 Journe...

Guest Speaker: Jolly Joyce Sulapas, M.Sc. Junior Managing Researcher / Project Coordinator UP Resilience Institute Ms. Sulapas discusses why the cities of Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Legazpi are sinking. ⌛Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 02:02 How I got into science 07:16 Research focus: ground subsidence in major Philippine metropolitan cities 14:27 Research funding and...

Guest Speakers: Joseph Basconcillo, PhD Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) Dr. Basconcillo sheds light on the increase in occurrence of Christmas typhoons in the Philippines in recent years. ⌛Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the podcast and guest 03:14 What got me into science 06:11 Things you need to know about the climate map of the Philippi...

Guest Speakers: Lala Calle, Dana Manogan, Paolo Co, Mary Rose Gabuyo, Bryan Casauay Research assistants from the University of the Philippines - Marine Science Institute share their experiences of doing research studies in the Pag-asa Island Research Station in the West Philippine Sea. --- #BehindTheSciencePodcast is presented to you by Marine & Earth Science Learning Hub, UP Resilience Instit...

Guest Speaker: Jeffrey Perez, M.Eng. This episode highlights the research of Mr. Perez on the prehistoric earthquakes from the Surigao segment of the Philippine Fault. Mr. Jeffrey S. Perez is a licensed geologist and a Supervising Science Research Specialist at PHIVOLCS. He is a graduate of BS Geology from the UP Diliman and gained a Master of Engineering Major in Civil and Environmental Engineeri...