FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS of the first batch of Balik Scientists who visited MMSU last March, another expert, this time in the field of material science, was tapped by MMSU to deliver a special lecture on clay minerals, May 4-5 at the University Training Center.

At 35, Dr. Chelo Pascua may be the youngest Balik Scientist to visit MMSU, but in no way is he lightweight in his credentials.

Pascua, who traces his roots from Candon, Ilocos Sur, is currently an assistant professor at the National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, where he earned his BS and MS degrees in Geology. At 30, he obtained a Ph.D. in Environmental Mineralogy and Geochemistry from Kanazawa University, Japan. He was granted a postdoctoral researcher position at the National Institute for Material Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.

After delivering a special lecture at the University Training Center, Pascua met with faculty members of the Department of Ceramic Engineering of the College of Engineering to discuss possible research endeavors. This is in response to the challenge posed by President Miriam E. Pascua for MMSU to come up with clay products that can be commercialized. President Pascua expressed her hopes that the university can produce something bigger than the usual clay trinkets and decorative items that had already been produced.

Dr. Samuel Franco, chair of the Department of Ceramic Engineering, was upbeat about collaborating with Dr. Pascua whose previous research involvements include topics in geology, remote sensing and GIS, acid mine drainage, clay mineral dissolution, and arsenic contamination and remediation. His current work is focused on synthetic clay minerals for applications in clay-polymer nanocomposites, band tunable (ultra) thin films, clay-based photocatalysts, and liquid crystal mineral moieties.

In a positive development, 19 applicants have already sought admission to the ceramic engineering program as of press time. Said program was frozen last year due to lack of enrolment.

On March 25-April 4, three balik scientists, all from the United States, came to MMSU to deliver a series of lectures—Dr. Terencio I. Sarigumba, Dr. Catalino A. Blanche, and Dr. Josefino C. Comiso. Dr. Fiorello B. Abenes of the California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, USA , is also at MMSU on a six-month visiting professorship under the Fulbright Fellowship Program.

Under the auspices of the Department of Science and Technology, the Balik Scientist Program aims to strengthen the scientific and technological human resources of academic, public and private institutions to accelerate the flow of technologies and stimulate the development of new or strategically important technologies vital to national development and progress.

The Balik Scientist program at MMSU is coordinated by the International Programs Division of the External Affairs and Partnership Directorate.