Juancho Raymundo

"I first developed my love for science and research in high school. At that time, there was no concept of strands or majors, and I felt like I had the freedom to explore everything that I wanted to learn. Seeing as some topics can be overwhelmingly broad, I was able to find guidance and direction from my teachers. My research adviser answered all my questions - including those unrelated to research - and supported my interest in pursuing a career in science. Throughout high school, I took an interest in insects, plants, and microorganisms. This eventually led to different lab internships as well as local and international competitions. Through these I learned how to write papers, perform experiments, analyze results, and present findings. More than that, it was through these experiences that I acquired an understanding of what it is like to become a scientist in the Philippines. Meeting people afforded me a glimpse into the culture of science that we aim to promote - a culture of curiosity, growth, and service. Although I ended up pursuing medicine, the passion and inspiration for inquiry honed in me by my mentors still remain. I am incredibly grateful for the shared knowledge and experiences that came out of mentoring, and it is through SIDHI that we hope high school students may come across similar experiences"