Ask Theory

Dr. Regine Carandang is a licensed dentist working in Makati. She specializes in Orthodontics, and has a developing love for aesthetic dentistry and prosthodontics.

We talked about some of the most common myths about dental care and dental health, why some people don’t seem to prioritize dental care, how often one should really be consulting a dentist, what it’s like to be a dentist in the Philippines, and more.

How to contact Dr. Regine:

Facebook: fb.com/docginnie

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Mario Jiz is the Chair of the Immunology Department at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). In 2017, the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) recognized him as an Outstanding Young Scientist for medical sciences due to his major contributions in schistosomiasis research and vaccine development.

We talked about the work of an immunologist, the highs and lows of pursuing the path of immunology, a disease that many Filipinos may not have heard of, the role of immunology during the COVID-19 pandemic, and more.

How to contact Dr. Mario:

Facebook: fb.com/SchistosomiasisNRL2020

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Alex Legarda is a family physician and clinic manager of FriendlyCare and the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) Family Wellness Clinic.

We talked about the work of a doctor trained in family medicine, why someone would choose to train as a family physician, the average Filipino’s attitude toward doctors, improving the Philippine healthcare system, family planning methods, and more.

How to contact Dr. Alex:

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: Commission on Population and Development Family Wellness Clinic -ASC

Felichi Mae Arines is a PhD student in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of Michigan. She worked at the International Rice Research Institute, where she was part of a team tasked with developing iron- and zinc-enriched rice. She recently obtained a Barbour Scholarship, which is awarded to outstanding women graduate students from Asia and the Middle East.

We talked about different perceptions on basic science and applied science, Felichi’s research on ubiquitin ligases and decluttering enzymes, stories of communicating research with non-scientists, tips for communicating research to the public, the similarities and differences between STEM education in the Philippines and in the United States, and more.

How to contact Peach:

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @peach_arines

Everlyn Gayle Tamayo plays a key role in the development, implementation and review of air quality activities and projects of an international non-profit NGO focused on air quality management by providing technical guidance in current and emerging air quality issues in the region, particularly in air quality monitoring, emissions inventory, health impact assessment, and capacity building. She has a Master’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of the Philippines Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, and trained through the World Meteorological Organization Global Atmosphere Watch and the European Research Course on Atmospheres.

We talked about air pollution in the Philippines, Philippine policies for air quality management, seemingly normal actions that actually contribute to the air pollution problem, collaborating with government agencies for air quality management, and more.

How to contact Everlyn:

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Everlyn Gayle Tamayo plays a key role in the development, implementation and review of air quality activities and projects of an international non-profit NGO focused on air quality management by providing technical guidance in current and emerging air quality issues in the region, particularly in air quality monitoring, emissions inventory, health impact assessment, and capacity building. She has a Master’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of the Philippines Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, and trained through the World Meteorological Organization Global Atmosphere Watch and the European Research Course on Atmospheres.

We talked about the status and risks of air pollution in the Philippines, claims that "the Earth is healing during the pandemic," the concept of just transition, challenges in PH air quality management, involving the public in environmental issues, and more.

How to contact Everlyn: 

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Dr. Ryan Collantes is an ophthalmologist who is actively doing research on the genetics of inherited ocular disorders. He is currently a research scientist at the Ocular Genomics Institute at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School.

We talked about juvenile onset open angle glaucoma, the discovery of the novel EFEMP1 mutations in Filipino families, the value of conducting scientific experiments alongside gene-based studies, the significance of Pinoy-focused genetic research, and more.

How to contact Dr. Ryan:

Email: [email protected]

This episode of Ask Theory was made possible by the British Council in the Philippines, in support of their Women in STEM Scholarship program.

Pamela Louise Tolentino is a researcher whose specialty lies in the roles of different watershed characteristics and hydrometeorological factors on river discharge. She handles projects involving the fields of hydrogeology, water quality, water resources, climate change, geohazard mapping and geology. She is currently doing her PhD in Earth Sciences at the University of Glasgow in the U.K.

We talked about Pamela’s research about rivers in the Philippines, the Philippines’ problems with water, the issues that Pamela aims to address, the power and potential of data when properly handled and interpreted, the joys and challenges of being a female scientist, and more.

How to contact Pamela:

Instagram: misspamelalouise

Twitter: @rivertropicsph

Facebook: fb.com/misspamelalouise

Email: [email protected]

Tell a keen Filipina scientist you know about the British Council scholarships for Women in STEM and help them realise their dreams! Visit https://www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-abroad/in-uk/scholarship-women-stem for more information on how to apply.

This episode of Ask Theory was made possible by the British Council in the Philippines, in support of their Women in STEM Scholarship program.

Ica Fernandez is an environmental planner and applied researcher working with spatial data for decision-making in transitional and post-crisis situations. She has served as consultant and evaluator for various international development organizations, national agencies, local governments, and civil society networks. She is also a PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge Department of Land Economy under the DOST-British Council Newton Agham scholarship.

We talked about Ica’s current research, issues concerning protracted forced displacement in the Philippines, the significance of citizen science or participatory science, Ica’s experiences under the Women in STEM scholarship program, applying for the Women in STEM program, and more.

How to contact Ica:

Email: icafernandez.com; urbanismo.ph

Twitter: @icafernandez

Tell a keen Filipina scientist you know about the British Council scholarships for Women in STEM and help them realise their dreams! Visit https://www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-abroad/in-uk/scholarship-women-stem for more information on how to apply.

Dr. Ryan Collantes is an ophthalmologist who is actively doing research on the genetics of inherited ocular disorders. He is currently a research scientist at the Ocular Genomics Institute at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School.

We talked about the fear of going blind, genetic eye conditions and how they can lead to blindness, superstitious beliefs regarding genetic eye conditions, the process of genetic testing and how it helps patients with genetic eye disorders, and more.

How to contact Dr. Ryan:

Email: [email protected]