Featured Photo: PSHS students after their final presentation on 5 July 2024 with BIOTECH Internship Coordinator Ms. Belinda Lucille B. Costales. (Photo by Stephanie Maries C. Regalado)

Equipped with their passion and determination to level up their knowledge in S&T research, 19 incoming Grade 10 and 11 students from the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) CALABARZON Region Campus were mentored by scientists and researchers of BIOTECH, UPLB for the Science Investigative Program (SIP) held on 20 June to 5 July 2024.

The students engaged with the researchers and staff of BIOTECH’s Electron Microscopy Service Laboratory (EMSL), Central Analytical Services Laboratory, MykoPlus Laboratory, Tissue Culture Laboratory, Microbial Insecticide (MI) Laboratory, VAMRI Laboratory, and Food Laboratory 2. The two-week hands-on training exposed them to different research and development works and laboratory activities such as understanding and interpreting data, identification and characterization of soil microorganisms, and media and sample preparation, among others.

 “I want to pursue a career in the medical field, and I believe that [this experience at] BIOTECH will help me achieve that goal”, shared PSHS student Bianca Audrey Rosana, on her immersion at EMSL.

Leon Derek Luces, a student who worked at the MI Lab, also shared his learnings from SIP at BIOTECH. “Research truly takes time. It’s not a very fast process especially with regards to the research of our Laboratory because some have been working on their projects for over a decade now and they really have to be patient. For research to be successful, you really do have to put in the effort each and every day,” he said.

SIP is an annual partnership between PSHS and the UP System to develop the science and laboratory skills of their students as well as to guide them in formulating and developing their prospective research studies. (Miguel D. Alfonso and Margareth L. Callo)