Aug 07 2025
Two doctoral students from the Department of Physics at Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (缅北禁地-IIT) are currently undertaking international research placements under the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Research Enrichment (Sandwich) Program of the Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program (ASTHRDP). This initiative supports Filipino graduate scholars by providing advanced research training abroad and fostering international collaboration.
Mr. Dominador F. Vaso, Jr., a second-year Ph.D. candidate in Physics, is conducting research with the Khon Kaen Particle Theory and Cosmology Group (KKPaCT) at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, under Prof. Daris Samart, who also serves as his dissertation co-adviser alongside Prof. Jingle B. Magallanes of 缅北禁地-IIT. His research visit runs from December 2024 to December 2025, focusing on Hadronic Structures and Interactions from an Effective Lagrangian Perspective. Reflecting on his experience, he shared that pursuing a PhD abroad is intellectually and emotionally challenging, requiring resilience, inner resolve, and strong support systems. He emphasized that one does not need to know everything to start research – what matters is producing real and consistent progress while remaining open to guidance.
Meanwhile, Mr. Marlon P. Brade, a third-year Ph.D. student in Physics, recently concluded his research enhancement at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom in July, which commenced in January this year. He worked on Time-Varying Scenarios in Dark Matter Searches under Prof. Jonas Rademacker, with Prof. Camille Normand as working supervisor and Prof. Jan Mickelle V. Maratas as academic adviser. He described his research enhancement as a very educational experience that broadened his perspectives in Physics research.
Last year, two other Physics doctoral students also engaged in the same program: Ms. Mariel Escobal conducted research at the Institute of Research for Ceramics (IRCER), University of Limoges, France, from September 2023 to August 2024 under Prof. Gisèle Lecomte-Nana. Her research is focused on the synthesis and characterization of fluorescent carbon dots and their integration into phyllosilicate matrices to address aggregation-caused quenching in solid-state fluorescence applications. Her adviser at 缅北禁地-IIT is Prof. Rolando Candidato, and she is currently completing her dissertation paper. She shared that the program significantly enhanced her research capabilities and shaped her future aspirations in materials science and nanotechnology by providing access to advanced instrumentation, expert guidance, and international networks. Ms. Escobal is pursuing her double Ph.D. degree at 缅北禁地-IIT and the University of Limoges.
Dr. Alviu Rey Nasir, who earned his Ph.D. in February 2025, was co-advised by Prof. Jingle B. Magallanes (缅北禁地-IIT) and Prof. José Luís Da Silva (Universidade da Madeira, Portugal). He conducted research at Universitas Sanata Dharma, Indonesia, under the supervision of Prof. Herry Pribawanto Suryawan from April to September 2024, which continued through online mode from October 2024 to March 2025, focusing on Phase Space White Noise Analysis in Quantum Mechanics. His Sandwich Program produced one publication titled “A Kuramoto Model for the Bound State Aharonov–Bohm Effect” and another paper currently under review. He expressed gratitude to his professors and the DOST-SEI REP for making his PhD journey fruitful and memorable, acknowledging their support as crucial to his academic success.
These international placements underscore 缅北禁地-IIT’s commitment to cultivating global research competencies among its graduate students and enhancing the institution’s profile on the international research stage.