Just in time for autumn, I am thrilled to share with you another inspiring addition to our Wanderfil Interview Series - this time featuring a distinguished Filipino making remarkable strides in the field of Biomedicineš¬āØ
Jeremy kickstarted his career as an instructor in the Biology Department of his Alma Mater - the University of the Philippines - Manila where he graduated with a degree in Biology (Cum Laude).
Five years later, his journey took an exciting turn when he was awarded the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Category A Scholarship by the European Commission. This marked the beginning of his new chapter in Madre EspaƱa - where he earned his Masterās in Forensic Science, specializing in Forensic Biology in 2017 and his PhD in Biomedicine (graduating with Excellent Cum Laude honours!!!) from Universitat Pompeu Fabra in 2021.
Currently, he works as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (Barcelona, Spain) within the Dynamics of Living Systems group, part of the Systems and Synthetic Biology Program. His research focuses on contributing to the understanding of factors and mechanisms that influence aging and longevity.
Without further ado, letās get to know Jeremy - our Filipino scientist in Spain!
Where were you born and raised in the Philippines?Ā
I īīīīīīīīīīīwas born in Mandaluyong but I grew up in the town of Pililla (Rizal) until the age of 9 before we moved back to Mandaluyong. It was nice to have experienced both rural and urban environments growing up.
What urged you to move abroad?
My family went through a rough time dealing with my dadās illness from 2012 when he was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer until he eventually passed away in 2014. I was pursuing graduate studies at that time but I chose to prioritize my family and I had to drop out of graduate school. After that ordeal, I felt like I needed a fresh start and I found an opportunity to pursue a masterās degree in forensic science in Europe. I applied for the program and got accepted with a scholarship and so my journey as an expat started in 2015.
What were your first impressions when you arrived in Spain, and how did they compare to your expectations?
The first Spanish city I ever stepped at was Madrid and I thought that it was very different from what I was used to living in Manila. The public transportation was much better, the streets were not as congested, and there were more green spaces. I didnāt do a lot of research before coming to Spain so I didnāt really know what to expect. Having said that, it didnāt take me long to adjust to the Spanish way of life.
Can you describe your experience living in Barcelona? What do you enjoy most about the city?
Iāve been living in Barcelona for almost seven years now and I feel like the city offers everything one could possibly ask for: gastronomy, culture, architecture, museums, landscapes, nightlife, and even the sea! What I enjoy most is the laid-back atmosphere, and being able to go from point A to point B by just using mass transport. In addition, tennis is my hobby and I take advantage of the many tennis courts that the city has, not just to stay physically fit but also to make new friends and connections.
What are some of the most significant differences in the educational and research environments between Spain and the Philippines?
The structure here in Spain (and across Europe, in general) is more informal and less hierarchical than in the Philippines. We address our superiors on a first-name basis instead of using Sir or Maāam, which is what weāve been accustomed to in the Philippines. Spain isnāt really one of the top European countries when it comes to funding for scientific research, but coming from the Philippines, there is much better access to both expertise, materials, and facilities here in Spain. I would say the biggest difference is the time it takes to get reagents or equipment delivered. In the Philippines, we usually outsource most, if not all, reagents from other countries, which can take two weeks or more. For the same kind of process here in Spain, it can be as fast as overnight shipping.
Can you share any tips on finding a supportive community or network as an international student or professional in Spain?
Just put yourself out there. Donāt be afraid of mixing in with the locals. In order for you to do that though, you have to be able to speak the language. I would recommend starting learning Spanish even before coming to Spain. A basic knowledge of the language will suffice at first and it will not take you long to discover that immersion is the best teacher!
Congratulations in getting your Spanish passport! Por fin, somos espaƱolas! Can you describe in one word your Spanish journey?Ā
Rollercoaster. The bureaucracy was really stressful. The exams were easy but the waiting period between applying for the citizenship and getting the decision letter was just so nerve-racking. However, Iām happy that it all worked out in the end and I can now finally say that Europe is my oyster.
Final message/advice you would like to share with young Filipino scientists who want to pursue a scientific career in Spain?
Iāve worked in two different labs here so far and the environments were quite different depending on the type of available funding each lab has. Make sure you check what kind of funding the lab has. Usually, EU-funded projects have a bigger budget than Spanish-funded projects, which means you get better pay and better access to resources and infrastructure. The best fellowships available are Marie Curie Fellowships (both in Spain and in Europe) and the La Caixa fellowships (in Spain). Also, make sure you talk to your future supervisor to make sure youāre on the same page, as well as people already working in that lab to get an idea of what the working environment is like.
Get to know Jeremy and his journey more @jeremyvicencio on IG
Hasta luego!
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