Filipina Scientists to Speak at National Science & Technology Week Celeb

(PNA) — Are you an aspiring scientist? Do you want to be inspired by true-to-life success stories?

At the fourth day of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) celebration on July 24-28, you’ll get the chance to learn from the experts, for free.

Four Filipina scientists are set to give carer-related talks on July 27 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Filipinos, especially students, will definitely learn from these alumnae of the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Science High School (DOST-PSHS). They were chosen for their outstanding scientific contributions.

Speakers include Dr. Ma. Corazon De Ungria from PSHS main campus Batch 1985. She now heads the DNA Analysis Laboratory of the University of the Philippines-Diliman National Sciences Research Institute.

Next is Dr. Reinabelle Reyes from PSHS main campus Batch 2001. Reyes is an astrophysicist who led a team that proved Einstein’s Theory of Relativity on a cosmic level, and another team that discovered 9000 quasars, the largest number of super massive black holes found.

Other speakers are Dr. Mary Ann Go from PSHS Eastern Visayas Campus Batch 2000 and Ma. Antonia Arroyo from PSHS main campus Batch 1995.

Go is a Balik-Scientist who will share her expertise in neuroscience. Arroyo, on the other hand, is the founder and CEO of Hybridigm Consultancy, a pioneering consultancy and commercialization firm in the Philippines.

All four of them are among the DOST scholars to be featured in an exhibit called “She for We: Highlighting the Role, Life and Achievement of Filipina Scientists in the Local and International Scientific Community.”

The said exhibit, which is also slated during the NSTW, is the agency’s way to celebrate the contributions of Filipina scientists and scholars.

Furthermore, the exhibit aims to make the public realize that at different points in time, the science community has been male-dominated.

“Despite the vast contributions that female scientists and engineers have given mankind, they are overshadowed by gender-bias that often favor their male counterparts,” the DOST said.

Thus, the exhibit will highlight the role of Filipina scientists as pioneers, movers, risk takers, builders, innovators, technopreneurs, icons, and torchbearers.

Also part of the exhibit are other Filipina scientists and scholars, including Dr. Gay Perez, Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara, Dr. Rosalia Mercado-Simmen, Dr. Cymbeline Culiat, Dr. Maria Victoria Espaldon, Dr. Jacq Romero, Maria Antonia Romero, Dr. Lourdes Cruz, Dr. Milagros Ibe, Dr. Ester Ogena, Dr. Aura Matias, Dr. May Lim, Dr. Dolores Ramirez, Dr. Josette Biyo, Dr. Carmencita Padilla, and Dr. Filipinas Natividad.

The DOST believes that creating greater awareness is vital to bring change in culture of the scientific community both here and abroad. (PNA) SCS/MCCA/SSC