The Department of Mathematics and Physics of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) College of Science commemorates the legacy of Fr. Ciriaco Pedrosa O.P. with a lecture on the theme, “Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future: The Role of Physics, Mathematics, and Data Science to Address the Climate Emergency,” held on November 22, 2024, at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex (TARC) Auditorium.
The event featured the lectures of Dr. Alvie Asuncion-Artronomo from the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), Ms. Ma. Criselda Baldago from the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), and Mr. Rodrigo Zafra from Ben Life Insurance Co.
Asuncion-Artronomo lectured on “Nuclear Power for a Sustainable Future.” She highlighted the vital role of nuclear physics in advancing cleaner, more energy-efficient nuclear energy technologies capable of significantly reducing carbon emissions.
Meanwhile, Baldago discussed “Space-Based Climate Change Solutions: From Observation to Action,” where she demonstrated how Earth observation satellites are essential for monitoring environmental changes and tracking deforestation, pollution levels, temperature increases, and extreme weather events. The data collected from space-based technologies is crucial for understanding the full scope of the climate crisis and its progression.
Lastly, Zafra’s talk on “Managing Environmental Risk in Life Insurance,” emphasized how data science and mathematics are used in risk assessment and management, specifically to model and evaluate the risks posed by climate-related disasters.
Together, the speakers illustrated how these three sectors—nuclear energy, space science, and risk management—contribute to a comprehensive approach to tackling climate change by mitigating its effects through clean energy, improving disaster response and resilience, and managing risks through data-driven insights and innovative financial solutions.
The 29th edition of the Fr. Ciriaco Pedrosa, O.P., Memorial Lecture was chaired by Asst. Prof. Daniel Vicario, M.Sc. and was attended by faculty members and students from San Beda College Alabang, as well as students and academic staff from the UST College of Science.
The event honors the memory of Rev. Fr. Ciriaco Pedrosa, O.P., a well-known Dominican mathematician and physicist who served as Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Physics, Director of the Research Center for the Natural Sciences, and Dean of the College of Liberal Arts which is now known as the College of Science of the University of Santo Tomas.
