DOST Fellows’ expertise utilized for national solutions

Science and technology experts are helping turn research into practical technologies and policy solutions as the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) marks five years of its S&T Fellows Program.

Since its launch in 2021, the program has engaged 84 experts deployed across DoST research institutes, councils, advisory bodies and regional offices. Fifty-one of these experts remain actively involved in various research, development and innovation initiatives.

Among the technologies highlighted during the recent S&T Fellows Convention at The Bellevue Hotel Manila was the Nuclear Plant Simulator & Analyzer Facility, or NuSIM, presented by DoST S&T fellow Engr. Mark Gino Alipero of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute.

Nuclear technology platform

NuSIM provides a platform for nuclear technology capacity building, workforce preparation and advanced engineering simulations, supporting the country’s efforts to develop expertise for future energy infrastructure.

Other fellows are working on technologies and research addressing environmental and health challenges.

Dr. Maria Theresa Cabaraban focuses on environmental engineering, waste management and waste-to-energy technologies, including the Smart Waste-to-Energy Evaluation and Planning for Cagayan de Oro City, a decision-support tool for local waste management.

In health research, S&T fellow Dr. Noel Salvoza is studying the relationship between dengue and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD. His work also examines the safety of lipid nanoparticle-based vaccine platforms for people with compromised liver function.

DoST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said the program has helped transform scientific expertise into projects, technologies, policies and partnerships.

Fellows’ expertise transformed into projects

“Five years ago, we started with a simple need: To strengthen DoST’s scientific and technical capability by bringing expertise where it is needed most. Today, our fellows have transformed that expertise into projects, technologies, policies, partnerships, and opportunities — turning knowledge into action and challenges into possibilities.”

Beyond laboratory work, fellows have also contributed to national policy.

Experts from DoST’s Industrial Technology Development Institute, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development and National Academy of Science and Technology helped advocate for the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines Law and draft its implementing rules.