Biology Youth Lecture: Persisting in Uncertainty and Reaping its Rewards
Words by: Althea Marie Guadalupe Esteban
The Department of Biological Sciences held a Biology Youth Lecture last March 29 at the Blas Hall, attended by UST junior and senior students seeking to understand their options when they go to college.
The event was hosted by senior students Allana Mae Jimenez and Dave Ryan Sombilon from Biology and Microbiology, respectively.
The first speaker was Dr. Jose Paolo E. Aguilar who spoke of his experience and insights as a rare species of being a physician-scientist. His dual roles, which arose from uncertainty of what he wanted to become, allowed him to be aware of persisting problems in the real world and to be equipped with the tools to answer such problems. This has led to translational research, which bridges the gap between basic research and applied research.
His current position does not come without its difficulties. He narrated his struggles through humorous and frank anecdotes regarding what they might expect upon taking the path of medicine. They will invest money, time, effort, and graduating four-year courses, NMAT, internships, board exams, and specializations are just some of what they will encounter. He encouraged them to pursue further studies in the service-oriented field if they are truly driven and passionate about doing so.
Reverent Fr. Nicanor Pier Giorgio Austriaco, O.P., Ph.D., SThD also gave a short remark at the end of the first half, in which he requested that newly graduated students stay for at least five years to give back to the country, stating that the lack of experienced manpower due to better opportunities abroad does not allow the Philippines to meet the benchmark for sufficient health and social workers. He adds that even if the Philippines lack the technology and tools, graduates can learn to be intuitive regarding the human body compared to those who have grown enmeshed and dependent on said technology.
In the second half, graduating students from the Biological Sciences were introduced. These were Stephen Lorance Diego of Medical Biology, Paul Cervin Rivera of Environmental Biology, Christian Elmarc Bautista of Industrial Biology, and Jaem Therese Rodriguez of Microbiology. They detailed their experiences as students under their respective programs through videos and pictures of their demonstrations and fieldwork. By detailing their research, they piqued the interest of their audience and shared their knowledge.
The University of Santo Tomas has produced many home-grown talents that have excelled in their field both nationally and internationally with no small thanks to their students’ efforts and the university’s rigorous training and thorough curricula. As such, even at a crossroad, a Thomasian scientist will excel in their chosen field fueled by passion as they engrave the core values of Competence, Compassion, and Commitment, taking to heart the college motto “Galing Science, Galing Science!” with a determined roar!
