Sean Tristan De Guzman

Sean is pursuing a double major in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science at Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology. He is particularly interested in front end development, automation, robotics, and startup businesses.

Why did you join SIDHI?

“I vividly remember the struggles I had in high school - having to navigate through the whole research process with my team. It made me realize how passionately I wanted to create something groundbreaking yet had no knowledge of how to get there or where to begin. Mentees of SIDHI may also feel the same, and by joining SIDHI, I wanted to be the mentor my high school self would have been grateful to have.”

What piece of advice can you give to an aspiring young Filipino Scientist?

“Scientists are in the quest of exploring the unknown, and the answers are almost always not in textbooks or in the four walls of a classroom. You must disabuse yourself of the notion that education only happens in schools. Take the initiative to learn beyond what is being taught to you. Even so, you also have to realize that you will never know enough; there is always something you will not know at some point. But being a scientist is not about knowing everything. It's about knowing WHERE to look and HOW to look for what you don't know. Always make sure that you are maximizing all avenues you must learn. Do well in your classes but supplement it with other resources. The growth of the internet has made it so easy to access loads of knowledge that earlier generations would otherwise only have accessed by going to college. See to it that you are maximizing the full potential of the internet and every one of its platforms. And yes, with the right attitude, even social media like Facebook and TikTok can help you learn! Try to also surround yourself with people who are good in the fields you want to explore. It's never too early to build your network, and you'll surely learn a lot from their experiences.”

What is your hope for the future of Science in the Philippines, and Science as a whole?

“I yearn for the day that the Philippines becomes a competitive global player in STEM, and the Filipinos recognize the value of science as a driving factor for nation-building and growth.”