Dr. Nia Santos shares how she used both genetics and morphology to identify the freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium spp.) in Cairawan River Antique. With 11 species identified, the highest number of species reported from a single river, this study highlights the ecological value of Philippine rivers and their potential for sustainable fisheries.

📚Reference: Santos MNM, Wowor D, Ikeda M, Padilla PI and Romana-Eguia MRR. 2024. Morphological and genetic diversity assessment of freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium spp.) in the Cairawan River, Antique Province, Philippines. The Philippine Journal of Fisheries 31(1). DOI:10.31398/tpjf/30.2.2023-0009.

🤝Behind The Science Podcast is presented to you by Marine & Earth Science Learning Hub, UP Resilience Institute, The Philippine Agricultural Scientist, The Philippine Journal of Fisheries, and SciEnggJ.

In this episode, chemical volcanologist John Michael Ausejo breaks down his study on primitive arc lavas from the Macolod Corridor. By analyzing the geochemical and mineralogical composition of igneous rocks, he traces the melt generation and magma storage conditions of primitive arc lavas in the Macolod Corridor 42 km beneath the Earth’s surface.

⌛ Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Makulod Corridor

00:45 Podcast Introduction and Partners

04:14 Research Experience and Education]

09:52 Studying Magma and Eruption Dynamics

15:47 Primitive Magma and Its Importance

21:59 Monogenetic and Polygenetic Volcanoes

27:55 Rock Analysis and Fieldwork

34:02 Research Challenges

39:56 Analyzing and Publishing Results

45:58 Tips for Aspiring Researchers

📚 Reference:

Ausejo JM, Perez AdC, Pasco JA, and Payot BD. 2024. Melt generation and magma storage conditions of primitive arc lavas in the Macolod Corridor, southwestern Luzon arc, Philippines. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 455(108206).

🤝 Behind The Science Podcast is presented to you by Marine & Earth Science Learning Hub, UP Resilience Institute, The Philippine Agricultural Scientist, The Philippine Journal of Fisheries, and SciEnggJ.

Is it safe to exercise while pregnant? In this episode, Dr. Clarissa Velayo shares the results from her clinical study on the effects of Sheng Zhen Gong, a traditional low-intensity exercise, on the wellbeing of both mother and child.

⌛Chapters

00:46 Podcast Introduction and Partners

04:02 Dr. Clarissa Velayo's Journey into Medicine

14:09 Review of Dr. Velayo's Study on Sheng Zhen Gong

16:36 Understanding Shen Zhen Gong and its Benefits

21:00 Study Methodology and Results

24:01 Exercise Results in Pregnancy

29:48 Steps to a Healthy Pregnancy

34:58 Funding and Preparing for a Study

38:13 Challenges in Conducting a Study

43:48 Advice for Aspiring Doctors and Researchers

📚Reference:

Velayo C, Suplido SA, Sy AD, Tantengco OA, Caragay R, Zuniga M. 2024. Sheng Zhen Gong in pregnancy: The effects of a traditional low intensity exercise form on maternofetal health and wellbeing. SciEnggJ. 17:163–175.‌

Are native chickens really antibiotic-free? In this episode, microbiologist Dr. Rina Opulencia breaks down her research on multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria found in healthy Philippine native chickens. Her team sequenced bacterial genomes and discovered antibiotic resistance genes in Philippine native chickens, which raises important questions about farm hygiene and food safety. Learn how resistance spreads, what mobile genetic elements do, and what this means for farmers, consumers, and policy.

⌛Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Native Chicken and Antibiotics

00:35 Podcast and Partners Introduction

03:04 Scientific Journals and Publications

05:55 Dr. Rina's Journey into Science

08:46 Getting Started in Microbiology

11:56 Graduate School Training

14:53 Finding the Right School

18:09 U.S. Experience and Research

21:06 Study of Antibiotic Resistance

24:10 Introduction to the Study of Enterobacteria

26:57 Genetic Basis of Antibiotic Resistance

29:50 Importance of Philippine Native Chicken

37:10 Transmission of Microbes from Animals to Humans

40:54 Farm Management and Prevention of the Spread of Microbes

42:20 Antibiotic Resistance and Chicken Health

45:50 Concerns about Broiler Chickens and Bacteria

47:25 Risks to Farmers and Training

50:04 Funding and Support for Research

52:09 Laboratory Safety Standards

55:44 Study of Chickens and Microbes

01:01:04 Analysis of the Prevalence of MDRs

01:02:48 Tips for Those Who Want to Do Research

📚Reference:

Jimenez A, Buday GJ, Opulencia R. 2025. Antibiotic Resistome, Mobile Genetic Elements, and Virulence Profile of Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Isolated from Healthy Philippine Native Chicken as Revealed by Analysis of Whole Genome Sequence. The Philippine Agricultural Scientist. 108(1):13–24.

🤝Behind The Science Podcast is presented to you by Marine & Earth Science Learning Hub, UP Resilience Institute, The Philippine Agricultural Scientist, The Philippine Journal of Fisheries, and SciEnggJ.

Marine biologist Dr. Wilfredo Licuanan explains his team’s groundbreaking work in developing a new scale to assess coral reefs. The new letter-grade scale replaces the outdated standards and helps scientists, policymakers, and citizen scientists better understand reef health. This research has already influenced national guidelines and could reshape how we protect our reefs. #CoralReefsPH #MarineScience #FilipinoScientist #EcosystemServices

⌛Chapters

00:00 Starting the Conversation on Marine Research

00:30 Podcast and Partners Introduction

04:01 Introduction to the Shore Center and Projects

07:47 Citizen Science and Coral Reef Monitoring

11:46 Introduction to the Monopod for Reef Surveys

17:57 Review of the Policy Brief on Coral Cover

30:04 Understanding Hard Corals and Coral Reefs

35:53 Understanding the Status of Coral Reefs

41:06 Changing Assessment Methods

46:15 Assessing Ecosystem Services

51:36 NAKER Program Projects

55:12 Research Challenges and Successes

01:01:05 Translating Science into Action

01:06:39 Advice for Beginning Researchers

📚Reference: Licuanan WY. 2020. New scales to guide the assessment of hard coral cover and diversity in the Philippines. The Philippine Journal of Fisheries, 27(2), 121-126.

🤝Follow the DLSU Br. Alfred Shields FSC Ocean Research Center on Youtube and Facebook.

🤝Behind The Science Podcast is presented to you by Marine & Earth Science Learning Hub, UP Resilience Institute, The Philippine Agricultural Scientist, The Philippine Journal of Fisheries, and SciEnggJ.

Dr. Karmina Aquino reveals her groundbreaking study on geologic hydrogen in Zambales - a natural hydrogen gas released from rocks through water-rock interactions. Her research found one of the highest hydrogen outgassing rates ever measured globally. We also explore her path from geology to geochemistry, the role of ophiolites in hydrogen production, and the potential of geologic hydrogen as a future energy source for the Philippines.

⌛Chapters

00:00 Starting the Geologic Hydrogen Conversation

00:55 Podcast and Partners Introduction

04:10 A Scientist’s Journey

08:46 Geochemistry and Ophiolites Review

12:05 Understanding Geologic Hydrogen

15:08 Hydrogen Outgassing Review in Zambales

18:02 Zambales Study Results and Information

33:36 Geologic Hydrogen Studies

36:36 Hydrogen Applications in Energy

41:17 Fieldwork and Communication Challenges

51:16 Fieldwork Experiences

58:47 Ongoing Projects and Scholarships

📚Reference: Aquino, K. A., Juego, C. M. M., Tagle, Y. G. M., Leong, J. A. M., & Codillo, E. A. (2025). High hydrogen outgassing from an ophiolite-hosted seep in Zambales, Philippines. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 105, 360-366.

🤝Behind The Science Podcast is presented to you by Marine & Earth Science Learning Hub, UP Resilience Institute, The Philippine Agricultural Scientist, The Philippine Journal of Fisheries, and SciEnggJ.

Dr. Pamela Tolentino breaks down her decade-long research on sustainable river management in the Philippines. From river migration and sediment flow to flood risk and dike failure, she shares how new data, geomorphic insights, and nature-based solutions can reshape how we manage our waterways. We also talk about her journey from biology to geology to fluvial geomorphology, and the challenges of publishing, policymaking, and creating a national river database.

⌛Chapters

00:00 Starting the River Conversation

00:38 Podcast and Partners Introduction

03:50 Journey as a Scientist

09:56 PhD and Scholarship Review

15:04 Introduction to the River Project

18:49 Key Points in River Management

31:09 Technologies and Policies in River Management

37:55 Using Communication Technology

38:51 Introduction to Studies and Results

40:34 River Management and Strategies

43:35 Analyzing Historical Data and Flood Estimation

46:30 Studying Different Types of Rivers

49:50 Impact of Structures on River Management

52:43 Building a Community of River Practitioners

55:08 Reviewing Experiences and Challenges

01:00:55 Writing Research and Planning

01:07:22 Next Steps and Community Inclusion

01:10:25 Promoting River Awareness

📚Reference: Tolentino, P. L. M., Williams, R. D. and Brierley, G. J. (2025) Reconfiguring River Management in the Philippines. Project Report. University of Glasgow.

🤝Behind The Science Podcast is presented to you by Marine & Earth Science Learning Hub, UP Resilience Institute, The Philippine Agricultural Scientist, The Philippine Journal of Fisheries, and SciEnggJ.

How do scientists make sure our weather radars are actually accurate? In this episode, climatologist Dr. Irene Crisologo explains how she used satellite data to calibrate ground-based weather radars in the Philippines and overcoming challenges like beam blockage from mountains and urban structures. We also trace her journey from physics to geology and climatology, and how she turned her love for drawing into science communication. #RadarScience #ClimatePH #ScienceCommunication #PinoyScientist

⌛Chapters

00:00 Radar and Satellite Analysis of Rain

00:50 Podcast and Partners Introduction

04:00 Meet Our Guest

09:35 Moving from Physics to Geology and Climatology

13:20 Developing Radar Research and Science Communication

19:53 Understanding Beam Blockage and Radar Measurements

28:49 Introduction to Dr. Irene's Research

32:40 Analysis of Rain Measuring Instruments

34:44 Importance of Calibration in Radar Data

42:02 Analysis and Calibration Methods

48:49 Data Access and Research Challenges

52:31 Research and Analysis Experiences

58:06 Tips for Beginning Researchers

📚Reference:

Crisologo, I., Warren, R. A., Mühlbauer, K., & Heistermann, M. (2018). Enhancing the consistency of spaceborne and ground-based radar comparisons by using beam blockage fraction as a quality filter. Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, 11(9), 5223-5236.

🤝Behind The Science Podcast is presented to you by Marine & Earth Science Learning Hub, UP Resilience Institute, The Philippine Agricultural Scientist, The Philippine Journal of Fisheries, and SciEnggJ.