Four UP Diliman Scholars Triumph at 13th ASTHRDP Graduate Scholars’ Conference

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Science is not just about theories written on chalkboards or formulas etched into notebooks—it is the force that powers nations forward, the foundation of resilience, and the hope of a brighter tomorrow. This was the spirit that radiated at the 13th Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program (ASTHRDP) Graduate Scholars’ Conference, held on September 18–19, 2025, in Cagayan de Oro City. And at the heart of this celebration of intellect and innovation, four young minds from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) rose to distinction, earning Best Presentation Awards and proving once again that Filipino scholars are capable of world-class breakthroughs.

The prestigious gathering, hosted by Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) and co-chaired by Central Luzon State University (CLSU), brought together more than 200 of the country’s brightest graduate scholars, scientists, and project leaders. With the theme “Advancing Climate Action and Environmental Stewardship for the Well-being of Every Filipino,” the two-day conference became both a battleground of ideas and a sanctuary for collaboration, where the nation’s most promising researchers shared cutting-edge work across critical fields of science and technology.

The Four Bright Lights of UP Diliman

Among 21 UP Diliman scholars who participated, four emerged as awardees, taking home not just certificates and cash prizes but also the pride of representing the country’s premier state university with brilliance and purpose.

Marsden Badlisan (MS Physics) captured the Best Oral Presentation in Physical Sciences with his groundbreaking research on the “Electrically Controlled Goos-Hänchen Shift of a Light Beam due to a ZnO-GaAs Structure.” His work promises exciting applications in optics and photonics, showcasing how Filipino research can influence global scientific conversations.

Nicole Joy Datu (PhD Mathematics) earned the Best Oral Presentation in Mathematical and Computational Science for her dissertation on “On Strongly Φ-Reversible Elements of the Symplectic Group.” Her victory was not just a triumph of mathematics but also an inspiration to young women aspiring to excel in fields too often seen as the preserve of the few. “Growing up, I was told math was only for the naturally talented,” she reflected, “but I’ve learned that hard work and the right support can take you just as far.”

Miguel Revilla (PhD Meteorology) brought home the Best Oral Presentation in Environmental Sciences for his timely and vital dissertation, “Spatio-temporal and Surface-level Analysis of Tropical Cyclones Maintaining or Intensifying in the Philippines.” His research offers crucial insights that may shape the country’s disaster preparedness and climate resilience.

Wendell Manuel (MS Materials Science and Engineering) secured the Best Poster Presentation in Physical Sciences with his innovative study on “Tuned FeO/Fe3O4 Nanoparticles and Superclusters for Enhanced Magnetic Hyperthermia.” “Our study shows how small (nano) things can potentially make a big impact,” he remarked, a powerful reminder of how science turns the invisible into the revolutionary.

Each awardee credited the Department of Science and Technology’s Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) and the ASTHRDP program for enabling their research. More than scholarships, these initiatives are lifelines that allow Filipino scholars to transform ideas into discoveries with real-world impact.

A Gathering of Minds and a Call to Action

The conference was more than a showcase of academic excellence—it was a clarion call to use science as a tool for change. In his keynote address, DOST Secretary Dr. Renato Solidum Jr. urged scholars to take research beyond laboratories and bring science-informed solutions directly to communities. Plenary lectures delivered by experts such as Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, S.J. of Ateneo de Manila University, Dr. Ronilo Jose Flores of UP Los Baños, Dr. Laura David of UP Diliman, and Dr. Hernando Bacosa of MSU-IIT reinforced the urgent role of science in addressing climate change and environmental challenges.

The event also celebrated the human side of scholarship: the opening performance by the MSU-IIT OCTAVA Choral Society, the fellowship dinner that brimmed with camaraderie, and the spoken word performances by scholars all underscored that behind every data set and experiment lies a Filipino with a dream—to uplift lives and transform society.

Science as Nation-Building

The ASTHRDP, implemented by DOST-SEI in collaboration with the National Science Consortium of 11 universities, is designed to accelerate the production of high-level scientists and researchers in priority fields. By supporting graduate students in science and technology, it strengthens the country’s competitiveness and fuels innovation. For the Philippines, these scholars represent more than academic achievement—they are the torchbearers of progress, pushing boundaries in physics, mathematics, meteorology, and materials science.

For UP Diliman’s College of Science, this recognition is both a triumph and a responsibility: to continue nurturing minds that will lead the country toward resilience, sustainability, and innovation. As Dean Dr. Cynthia Saloma, who led the UPD delegation, emphasized, these victories are milestones that prove how Filipino science can change lives.

In the end, the story of Badlisan, Datu, Revilla, and Manuel is not just about winning best presentation awards. It is about the power of education, the importance of support, and the unyielding spirit of young Filipinos who dare to dream bigger than themselves. It is about science not as an abstract pursuit, but as a lifeline for a nation standing at the crossroads of climate change, technological advancement, and social transformation.

Their victories remind us that every breakthrough—whether in beams of light, theorems of math, patterns of storms, or clusters of nanoparticles—brings the Philippines one step closer to a future where knowledge is not just preserved but lived, shared, and used to uplift the lives of every Filipino.

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