Unleashing the Marvels of COVID-19 Biosurveillance and Science Communication
Words by: Stefani Sy, Nicole Sera Jose, and Annrhe Siscar
The Department of Biological Sciences hosted the DBS Hyflex Lecture on March 28, from 9:30 AM to 12:00 NN. The two-part series featured genomic biosurveillance and scientific communication, both keys to the future of science and technology.
Dean Prof. Rey Donne S. Papa, Ph.D. enjoined the audience through his inspiring opening remarks, believing in the unsung heroes — our competent, committed, and compassionate scientists.
As the first highlight of the program, Dr. Benedict A. Maralit shared his interest and passion in genomic studies with his talk entitled “Sequencing in the Pandemic: DSCF’s Sequencing Activities for COVID-19 Research.”
As a Program Director of the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) — DNA Sequencing Core Facility, he narrated his first-hand struggles in the height of the pandemic. “There were others who doubted our capacity, and did not believe in the talents we had as a center. We still have to send our findings abroad but I think it’s high time that we do things here independently. After all, with great power comes great responsibility,” Dr. Maralit admitted. Despite their little morale at the start, they struggled at the frontlines but came out victorious as one of the pioneer teams to conduct RT-PCR testing. In their collaboration with Philippine General Hospital (PGH), the whole genomes of SARS-CoV-2 and its subsequent variants were sequenced.
PGC has an ongoing pilot sequencing project for COVID-19 biosurveillance in the country which aims to expand the virus’ track and trace system and sequence other emerging diseases. Such protocols can disrupt transmission routes and reduce new cases, for the protection of Filipino health.
The second highlight was delivered by Dr. Inez Z. Ponce De Leon, an Associate Professor at Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Communication. She expressed her love for science and writing in her talk, “Putting the Communication Back in Science Communication: Why It’s Not About Facts Alone?”
Contrary to popular belief, Dr. De Leon stressed that science is not entirely about hard facts and data but the manner by which information is conveyed, which is the essence of science communication.
“Do we always operate on knowledge alone? What is science to you?” such questions engaged the audience to think critically beyond the surface. In the Deficit Model, knowledge goes beyond translation but is limited to dissemination. The Dialogic Model is more community-need based to sustainably craft their own solutions. In the Conversational Model, everyone including the scientist is equal which facilitates mutual learning and exchange.
At the heart of this talk, scientists should prioritize the lives of people beyond technical science because everyone understands risk differently based on different cultures. Passion for the work we do must also be rooted into something deeper, “Your passion has to depend on the why. From there, you stick to it and that’s when you stay. Our mindset should be ‘I really want to find out more’ rather than ‘I want to prove myself’,” Dr. De Leon exclaimed.
Additionally, Crocodylus Porosus Phils., Inc. (CCPI) donated laboratory equipment to the college. To seal the deal, a contract was signed between Mr. Vicente P. Mercado of CCPI, Asst. Prof. Mae Lowe L. Diesmos, Micro-Biological Laboratory Inc. (Microlab) and Dean Rey Donne S. Papa, Ph.D.
In his closing remarks, Asst. Prof. Richard Thomas B. Pavia Jr., Ph.D. commended the scientists in their journey to the Service of Science for the People. “We view them as superheroes rather than just experts in their field. Yet, we should also remember that they are human. Hopefully, this serves as an inspiration for us because we too have the potential to reach this,” he said.
