Ateneo Research Institute of Science and Engineering Annual Report

The steps that Ateneo de Manila University has been taking to upgrade their energy efficiency plan and shift to clean energy are done because of their commitment to and knowledge of their environmental impact. This knowledge, being universally applicable, is better shared than kept. With this in mind, the university has a large opportunity to share this knowledge and influence the local community to take greater strides for the environment as well. They have been able to take advantage of this opportunity through the Ateneo Research Institute of Science and Engineering, or ARISE. ARISE was established in 2020, with its main purpose being the advancement of socially relevant and transformational multidisciplinary research. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic that occurred shortly after the establishment of ARISE, this objective was put to the test. Fortunately, they rose to the challenge: more than 40% of the internally-funded research approved by ARISE in 2020 were COVID-related or focused on the online delivery of STEM courses. Aside from this, they also manage the Ateneo Molecular Pathology Laboratory (AMPLify), which is a significant component of the university’s response to the pandemic. Because of their commitment to research and training that will benefit society and the environment, they were able to make an impact on science and engineering research and development despite being in the midst of a pandemic.

The 2020 ARISE Annual Report shows the various interdisciplinary research programs that ARISE researchers and fellows had accomplished or are still pursuing. They accommodate a wide range of researches, but are primarily focused on the following priority research areas: Environment, Health, Disaster Science and Mitigation, Science and Mathematics Education, and Current and Emerging Technologies. They have begun establishing hubs for interdisciplinary research focusing on these priority areas. More hubs are being planned and will be added in the future.

The laboratories under ARISE are the Ateneo Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Blue Swab COVID-19 Testing Center, and Climate and Disaster Resilience Laboratory (CDR). AMPLify is ARISE’s first laboratory and is part of their national efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19. It also focuses on providing high quality and cost effective molecular diagnostic services to the members of the public. The Blue Swab COVID-19 Testing Center is a specimen collection facility of AMPLify for the detection of SARS-CoV2 virus. It provides reliable and affordable molecular testing services to aid in the diagnosis of COVID-19. The CDR is their latest hub for inter- and multidisciplinary research in the priority area of disaster science and mitigation. It aims to provide excellent opportunities for experts coming from various disciplines to work together and solve complex issues afflicting the country, and to contribute to global efforts to address different challenges brought about by climate change, and man-made and natural disasters.

Some of the scientific projects that the report highlights are:

• Hand Gesture Recognition for Smartphone-Based Augmented Reality Applications

• Geometric Realizations of Abstract Regular Polyhedra with Automorphism Group

• Development of Elastomer- and Fluid-based Techniques for Modulating Bessel Beam Propagation Properties

• Phase Space Quantum Mechanics on Groups

• A Comprehensive Analysis of Historical Impacts and Drivers of Illegal Animal Trafficking in the Philippines Toward a Theory of Change for its Mitigation

• ARISE - Philippine Groundwater Outlook (GMP-PHIGO)

• 4Site: Modelling and Power Output Forecasting for Solar PV Microgrid Systems

Additionally, ARISE has instituted initiatives such as the IR 4.0 Fund Programme, ARISE Research Fellows, and ARISE Internship Programme. The IR 4.0 Fund is an internal funding programme for proposed researches from the School of Science and Engineering. As of 2020, they have funded a total of 38 research projects amounting to PHP 29,500,000. ARISE Research Fellows is an initiative to invite researchers with a proven track record in research. They are provided with subsidy, administrative, and logistical support for research projects. As for the internship programme, ARISE launched an initiative last May 2021 to allow students to sign up as an intern for different researches housed under ARISE.

Given the timing of the pandemic with the establishment of ARISE, much of their events were a series of webinars that discussed various research works, initiatives, and commentaries of Ateneans working in the frontlines of the pandemic. They encompassed several fields of study to highlight the importance of a holistic and integrative approach in tackling the pandemic and its impact. Some of these webinars were:

• The Novel Coronavirus, Handwashing, and Coconut Oil

• Enabling Resilience in the Time of Covid-19

• Reinventing Climate and Disaster Research for Community Resilience under the Covid-19 Lockdown

The entire report is evidence that Ateneo values holistic knowledge and believes that education and research can be of significant value to the wider community. They are thorough in all their projects, events, and initiatives that serve to provide socially relevant and high quality services and information to the public.