CatSU honors DOST Balik-Scientist Program Awardee in Meet and Greet 2024
LinkagesAs part of the institutionalization of the Balik-Scientist Program (BSP) under Republic Act No. 11035 which aims to strengthen the scientific and human resources of the academe and public and private institutions, including locally registered enterprises to promote knowledge sharing and accelerate the flow of new technologies into the country, a DOST Balik-Scientist Program Meet and Greet was held at CatSU Accreditation Room, January 29, 2024.
The event was in collaboration with the university’s International Relations and Continuing Professional Development Services office, led by its Director, Prof. Zyra Mae T. Tumala, and Climate Change Solutions Office, headed by Dr. Dexter M. Toyado.
Attended by faculty members and students from the College of Science, College of Education, and College of Agriculture & Fisheries, the event highlighted Dr. Deborah N. Tangunan of Cardiff University School of Earth and Environmental Sciences (EARTH), Cardiff, United Kingdom, a DOST Balik-Scientist Program Awardee for CatSU 2024.
In his welcome speech, Prof. Vicente Padilla, Dean of the College of Science, expressed his affirmation of support to the Balik-Scientist Program and thanking Dr. Tangunan for choosing Catanduanes State University as the recipient of her engagement.
At the outset, Dr. Rosana S. Abundo, Vice President for Research, Extension and Production Affairs thanked the organizers and DOST as this is the first time that CatSU hosted the BSP through the university’s Center for Climate Change Solutions.
Dr. Abundo emphasized two points in viewing the BSP in relation to the Catandunganons and as individuals, with first as Values of Gratitude, and the second as Spirit of Bayanihan.
“BSP gives back and shares the knowledge and expertise for the advancement of research and development of the province. For the “bayanihan”, it is basically part of our culture. Let’s take all these as an opportunity. Let us altogether navigate this path towards a sustainable future for CatSU,” she said.
Dr. Deborah N. Tangunan, with a vision of imparting knowledge, is expected to bring a wealth of expertise in biogeochemistry and paleoclimate research. Her research aligns seamlessly with the instructional, research, and extension activities pursued by the institution.
Also in attendance were Faculty Regent Prof. Danilo O. Murillo, and Vice President for Administrative & Financial Affairs, Engr. Benjamin Hannycel T. Nuyda, and Executive Vice President, Dr. Robert B. Barba Jr.
Dr. Tangunan aims to offer workshops to interested students with linked topics, propose and contribute through advanced scientific knowledge, and showcase the geological history of Catanduanes. Throughout her informative talk, she shows her interest in collaborating with the students in studying with her proposed activities.
Prior to this Meet and Greet
event, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources
Research and Development (PCAARRD) personnel Mr. Sherwin Delos Reyes, visited
CatSU on January 4, 2024, and met with President, Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza,
in line with the signing of Contract of Award of Dr. Deborah N. Tangunan under
the Balik Scientist Program.
𝑮𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝑲𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕
Dr. Deborah Tangunan is a geologist and
climate scientist and currently a Marie Sklodowska Curie Postdoctoral Research
Fellow at the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences in Cardiff University,
United Kingdom. She works on the biochemistry of marine phytoplankton, and what
they can tell us about past climate, ecology, ocean productivity, and marine
carbonate chemistry, to better understand the present and future climate
scenarios.
She obtained her BS degree in Agriculture major in Soil Science and MS degree in Geology at the University of the Philippines in Los Baños and Diliman, respectively, before moving to Germany to undertake her PhD in Geosciences at the University of Bremen, while working as a research scientist at the Center for Marine Environmental Sciences.
After earning her PhD in 2017, she then took a role as a Postdoctoral Investigator at the University of Salamanca in Spain and is now working on her project funded by the European Research Council in Cardiff University.
Dr. Tangunan is also keen on outreach work, participating in the Once Upon a Time series of science short stories, written to engage the public about climate change and the importance of the marine environment, and has taken part in and won a number of science engagement and impact activities and grants such as Science slams, Falling Walls Lab, American Geophysical Union Centennial grant, among others.
In 2019, she had a short stint as a Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Balik Scientist, with the UP Institute of Environmental Sciences as the host institution. With CatSU CICCS and the College of Science as host institution, Dr. Tangunan aims to collaborate with CatSU researchers, scientists, and faculty in the fields of climate, oceanography, and geosciences.
Dr. Tangunan hails from Lanao, Virac,
Catanduanes, such a Catandunganon pride.
