20/05/2026
๐| ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฃ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ฏ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฌ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ซ๐ฒ
Bridging the gap between classroom theory and modern scientific practice, the INSiGHt (In Silico and In Vitro Group for Health) project is reshaping research culture within the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) by integrating computational modeling with traditional laboratory methods. Through mentorship, workshops, and collaborative inquiry, it provides undergraduate students with hands-on research experience that makes scientific work more accessible and purposeful.
Dr. Ma. Cristina De las Llagas, a professor from the NSM Department, led the launch of the INSiGHt project, addressing the lack of hands-on research training. The initiative bridges theoretical learning with practical application, ensuring students are better prepared for scientific inquiry.
What started as an interest in natural products research soon evolved into something more dynamic. Dr. De las Llagas realized that, in order for the NSM Department to truly thrive, it needed to break down the walls between different fields of study.
โWe saw an opportunity for biology and computational/data science collaboration. Also, this initiative is designed to immerse students in structured, mentor-guided research experiences. It began as a response to the need for stronger research engagement among students, particularly addressing gaps in hands-on training, exposure to laboratory techniques, and scientific inquiry.โ
Moving beyond traditional academic requirements, INSiGHt immerses undergraduate biology students in a structured, supportive environment where they serve as student research assistants, gaining hands-on experience in experimental design and data analysis through both in silico and in vitro methods.
For many, this is their first real encounter with research beyond textbooks, but for third-year biology student Shekinah Faye N. de Veyra, the experience immediately broadened her perspective on research, particularly in biomolecular studies.
โI think participating in this project just reminded me how much I love seeking answers and discovering new information. It reaffirmed my interest in exploring unfamiliar ideas and contributing to the pursuit of knowledge,โ de Veyra expressed.
de Veyra also describes how early hands-on activities and guided discussions during the project helped her gradually make sense of these computational approaches and their applications in modern research.
โThe ability to use computational tools to predict the affinity of molecules is not only time-efficient and cost-efficient, but is also highly versatile and has much potential in modern research,โ de Veyra shared.
While the Chemistry Department is not formally part of the initiative, its reach has extended beyond boundariesโevident in the participation of a fourth-year chemistry student through specialized workshops.
Workshops, particularly in molecular docking, have become a defining part of the project. These sessions introduce students to technologies that allow them to visualize molecular interactionsโtools that are increasingly essential in modern science.
Third-year chemistry student Naomi Grace Lanzo describes molecular docking as a completely new experience, one that revealed how chemistry connects to fields like drug discovery and molecular biology.
โIt was quite an unfamiliar territory, but as I started to understand how molecular docking works through the workshop, I realized how relevant it is, especially in the context of biochemistry. Seeing how small molecules can interact with proteins, and how these interactions can be predicted and analyzed, made me appreciate this side of biology and chemistry,โ Lanzo expressed.
Lanzo added that the experience helped her see chemistry from a broader, more applied perspective, especially in relation to biochemistry and research-driven fields.
โI appreciate how being introduced to tools like this early on gives me a better understanding of how chemistry connects to fields like drug discovery and molecular biology. Itโs something I didnโt expect to learn, but now see as important in shaping how I approach the depths of my program and field.โ
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๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐
For third-year biology student Raven Lee P. Layese, research projects like INSiGHt serve as an outlet for her scientific curiosity and a way to connect with the history of her field.
โStudying my courses, I seem to always come across science that makes one wonder how in the world we made such discoveries; it is exhilaratingโthe wonders of scientific discovery and the stories of those who worked on them. In my degree program, I am constantly reminded that I, indeed, stand on the shoulders of giants, and it is by research that I have โseen further,โโ Layese shared.
de Veyra echoed this sentiment, noting that the teamโs early success has already validated their hard work. Following a successful proposal defense, she looked forward to the more technical phases of their international collaboration.
โHaving just completed our proposal defense, it was very rewarding to receive positive feedback from the panelists and celebrate our first milestone as a research team. I believe some of the most exciting parts of our journey are still ahead, particularly participating in the in silico workshop in Indonesia and eventually conducting our in vitro assays.โ
Dr. De las Llagas emphasized that research should be accessible rather than unreachable. She noted that through tangible outputsโsuch as data, presentations, and potential publicationsโstudents can see the direct impact of their work, allowing confidence to gradually take root.
Layese believes that projects like INSiGHt are vital for strengthening the research culture within the Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) cluster. For her, the value of collaborative scientific work lies in the connection it builds across different fields and people.
"Projects like INSiGHt are important for students in NSM because their multidisciplinary nature exposes us to one another and encourages us to work together. It shows how different courses and programs can complement each other to facilitate discovery. Research projects like INSiGHt enable us to be more connected in the web of scientific communities," Layese explained.
By engaging students early, the initiative builds a pipeline of future researchersโindividuals who are not only skilled but also confident in navigating the evolving landscape of science. The vision for INSiGHt extends to future expansions, increased funding, and international collaboration, with the goal of establishing it as a flagship research training program for student-led scientific engagement.
Beyond the plan, its success is reflected in its current impact, seen in students developing an interest in research, understanding complex concepts, and recognizing that science is accessible and within their reach. INSiGHt is more than a projectโit is a statement, challenging the notion that research is reserved for a select few. It proves that with the right guidance and opportunities, students can become active contributors to science.
And as the stories of its researchers continue to unfold, one thing becomes certain: INSiGHt is not just shaping researchโit is shaping the people who will define its future.
The project was driven by a dedicated cohort of student research assistants, including Cayla Gwenneth P. Cole, Celine Joyce S. De Las Llagas, Jeremy James A. Madelo, Allaine Jaleeza S. Ramirez, Cherish Hon P. Rivas, Raven Lee P. Layese, and Shekinah Faye N. De Veyra. They are supported by a diverse group of senior and fourth-year participants: Aika Khent Zainab A. Rosete, Sung Goon L. Acosta, Nurhata I. Misuari, Jared C. Madrid, Mikaela Juliana E. Franco, Jerael-Louise J. Megino, Art Moises P. Velasco, Forsythia Mikako, Sunrise H. Villamor, Sandra Rachelle Joy C. Adora, Tranque Fitz Lenold V. Calunod, Nobunaga B. Mori, and Selwyn Allen A. Padua. Together, these individuals form the collaborative core of the INSiGHt initiative, bridging various levels of academic experience to advance the department's research goals.
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