This July 2020, we celebrated another milestone with our partners Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as our three Newton PhD scholars completed their studies in the UK. While the British Council has granted scholarships for graduate studies since we started operating in the Philippines 40 years ago, this is our first batch of doctorate studies in the UK.
Jhud Mikhail Aberilla – PhD in Environment and Sustainable Technology
CHED-Newton scholar, Jhud Mikhail Aberilla successfully completed his graduate studies at the University of Manchester, UK. He will return to his home institution, University of the Philippines Diliman, Chemical Engineering Department as assistant professor.
Dr Aberilla hopes to make sustainability assessment a standard in business, industrial and policy development. ‘The outcomes from my research show promising options for remote communities to develop self-sufficient access to energy and water,’ he said. He also aims to empower civil society to act towards addressing climate change, energy access, water security and other global challenges through education, training and public engagement.
Jopeth Ramis – PhD in Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Therapies
DOST-Newton scholar Dr Ramis of Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) successfully completed his PhD at the University of Nottingham. In our interview with him, he shared his plans for the development of tissue-engineered organs through new class technologies, with the help of DOST. ‘Hopefully I can work with our current experts to enhance further our capabilities in biomedical research in the Philippines’, said Dr Ramis who is set to return to TIP Manila as an associate professor.
Sherdon Niño Uy – PhD in Engineering
After completing his PhD studies at the Birmingham City University on a DOST-Newton grant, he is set to return to the Manila Observatory to serve a research post. Dr Uy hopes to aid in the capacity-building of the country for sustainable development through his research. ‘The wind energy research I am involved in would hopefully contribute to the development of rural electrification projects as well as deployment of sustainable technologies for power production,’ Uy stated.
Kevin Jace Miranda – PhD in Chemistry
CHED-Newton PhD scholar Dr Miranda finished his graduate study at the University of Aberdeen. As he prepares his homecoming at Adamson University, he told us of his plans to establish his own laboratory to focus on biodiscovery. Dr Miranda is optimistic about utilising the Philippines’ rich biodiversity and its potential in discovering novel compounds for pharmaceutical, biological and industrial use.