Pinoy inventor jumpstarts monthly innovation forum

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Inventors revolutionize the world because they often see in a different light—sometimes literally so, as in the case of this Filipino scientist-entrepreneur.

Filipino biochemist and entrepreneur Dr. Carlito Lebrilla in his element. (Photo credit: Gregory Urquiaga, UCDavis)

A distinguished professor and biochemist, Dr. Carlito Lebrilla of the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is also a corresponding member of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST). He will be highlighting his research on mass spectrometry and the fundamentals of innovation for startup companies at the free inaugural iStories webinar hosted by the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) this coming March 27.



A business born from mass spectrometry

Dr. Lebrilla’s research is focused on understanding fundamental processes in the ionization, fragmentation, and detection of ions. This enabled him to build a complex Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometer that marked the start of a research and teaching career centered on mass spectrometry.

Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to identify and quantify compounds, and determine structure and chemical properties of molecules via molecular weight determination. Chemists can use a mass spectrometer to ionize a molecular compound in gaseous form, sort the fragments, and then identify the molecule fragments based on their molecular weights. Applications of mass spectrometry include determination of rock ages, biochemical evolution of the Earth, and space explorations.

In Dr. Lebrilla’s case, his work on mass spectrometry helped him transition into the biomedical field that led him to develop methods for characterizing glycoconjugates—the biochemicals that contain carbohydrates bonded to some other compounds such as protein and lipid—in cells, animals, and humans.

Dr. Lebrilla’s further research and discoveries in mass spectrometry have led to several patents and the founding of at least five companies. “I realized there were so many problems that mass spectrometry can solve in food, in health, and even in basic fundamental biological issues. I just kept finding new ideas there, which really appealed to me,” he says in one interview with Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectronomy.




iStories: a monthly series on innovation

iStories is one of UPD-CS’s initiatives to lead more researchers and students to adopt the perception of nation-building through science, according to Dr. Ricky B. Nellas, the Associate Dean for Research, Innovation, Development, and Enterprise (ADRIDE) of the College of Science.

“Innovations, especially recent advances in the fields of data science and breakthroughs in technology, have accelerated our knowledge on relevant fields of science such as disease biology, artificial intelligence, and the knowledge-research-product pipeline. It is only paramount for us, especially young scientists, to be up to speed with current advances in science and technology. We hope that the iStories webinar series would motivate Filipino scientists to forge new collaborations in order to solve relevant and neglected local and worldwide problems, through innovation-centric research.” he explained.

iStories is a free webinar series with innovation-themed lectures, storytelling, and activities featuring local and international scientists. The initiative is aimed at igniting the creativity and inventiveness of young scientists not just from the College of Science, but from other institutes inside and outside UP.

“We started this initiative to showcase the different paths towards scientific innovations that can be emulated by our researchers and students in order to contribute to nation building,” says CS Innovation Team Head, Dr. Lerrie Ann Ipulan-Colet. The team is composed of innovation representatives from nine institutes under the UPD-CS.

iStories is scheduled for 3:00 pm every last Monday of the month.


Interested participants can register to the webinar via Zoom through filling out this online form: bit.ly/3EocEmD. Subscription to the entire iStories webinar is also possible through the same form.



References:

Brenner, A. & Simpson, H. (2021). Faces of Mass Spectrometry/Carlito Lebrilla. J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. 2021, 32, 6, 1275–1277 https://doi.org/10.1021/jasms.1c00116

'Window of opportunity' seen to clean up oil spill

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Researchers urge oil spill cleanup amid calm weather


Scientists from the University of the Philippines - Diliman Marine Science Institute (UPD-CS MSI) have noted a “window of opportunity” to step up efforts to clean up the oil spill from the MT Princess Empress tanker that sank off Naujan, Occidental Mindoro, last February 28.

“Weaker winds and calmer seas allow for larger oil slicks to form because of less disturbance from waves,” the researchers noted in their latest update. Satellite data from the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as of March 21 showed that the floating oil had accumulated into a 37.84-square-kilometer slick—”larger than Las Piñas,” the scientists noted.

The accumulated oil, along with the improved weather, may be a boon to cleanup efforts: “Calmer seas and larger slicks should be taken as an opportunity to collect the oil in slicks near the sunken tanker using booms and skimmers and ramp up cleanup efforts to prevent the oil from spreading further,” the UPD-CS MSI said.

The researchers also warned that, with the seasonal weakening of the Amihan Northeast Monsoon, the subsequent strengthening of easterly winds may push the oil further westward through the Verde Island Passage (VIP), one of the most biodiverse regions in the world and home to thousands of unique species. With some of the highest concentrations of coastal fishes, corals, crustaceans, molluscs, seagrasses, and mangroves worldwide, the Passage is the main source of food and livelihood for millions of Filipinos.

For the full update and for notifications of new developments, please Like and subscribe to https://www.facebook.com/upmarinescienceinstitute

The UPD-CS MSI is also asking the public for help in monitoring the oil spill. The public is encouraged to contribute geotagged images of sightings of the MT Princess Empress oil spill through this form: https://bit.ly/MTPE_GPS. The use of a GPS-enabled phone and a GPS camera app such as “GPS Map Camera” (available on Google Play and the Apple Store) are recommended so that geotag location data can be preserved.

SM Foundation aids quake-hit Türkiye, Syria

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




In solidarity with earthquake-hit countries Türkiye and Syria, SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI) sent aid through the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) last Feb. 27, 2023.

Represented by SM Foundation Health and Medical Programs Executive Director Connie Angeles, SMFI handed 200 units of gasoline generators to PRC to provide power to the quake-stricken Türkiye and Syria.

Additionally, the social good arm of SM also donated Php5 million to help address the needs of earthquake victims.

The aid comes after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeast Türkiye and northwest Syria. The disaster was followed by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, hitting southern Turkiye, which led to additional casualties and damages.

To learn more about SM Foundation’s social good programs, visit www.sm-foundation.org or follow its social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube): @SMFoundationInc.

SMFI’s Connie Angeles (second from left) hands the donation to PRC chairperson Dick Gordon (third from left). Joining the turnover are PRC Governor Ernesto Isla and PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang (first and fourth from left, respectively). Photo from PRC.

PRC volunteers prepare to ship 200 units of gasoline generators donated by SM Foundation for quake-hit Türkiye and Syria. Photo from PRC.