THE SILLIMAN University hosted five undergraduate students from the United States for its third cycle of the Philippines International Research Experience for Students program.

Supported by the United States National Science Foundation, the annual initiative aims to foster international scientific collaboration and provide valuable research experiences for students from partner institutions.

American students hailed from the University of Florida, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Old Dominion University, Nova Southeastern University, and Stetson University.

The delegates collaborated with research mentors from Silliman University’s Biology Department and faculty from Old Dominion University and Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi.

For this year, the research covered conservation topics like genetic barcoding, population genetics, and carbon sequestration.

Fieldwork also took place in various locations, with students also engaging in laboratory work, data analysis, and scientific writing.

A key part of the training was a data analysis workshop in collaboration with SU’s Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences and the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute.

“The Ph-IRES program continues to strengthen ties between Silliman University, Old Dominion University, and Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, providing students with invaluable research experiences and fostering international scientific partnerships,” SU said on its website.