Breaking Research Silos at the Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference Iloilo 2025

Breaking Research Silos at the Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference Iloilo 2025

This session revolves around the theme of HIC 2025 Iloilo Forum - and reveals what kind of interdisciplinary trends there are in terms of the startup, university, and even high school level in the Visayas region. Knowing the different researches being done and technologies being developed allow a Knowing the different researches being done and technologies being developed allow a better understanding of the current ecosystem - and with this, allows even more interdisciplinary collaboration that could tackle issues in the present. - Alongside this - we will also discuss how some of the panelists have tried venturing further than the usual researches that they are challenging, and what kind of mindset that they have developed. We will also discuss how some of the panelists have tried venturing further than the usual researches that they are challenging, and what kind of mindset that they have developed for this, to also encourage the audience to do the same.

The reason behind this is that researchers in general work in silos - and this also is quite evident in the research ecosystem in the Visayas where veteran researchers prefer to only continue creating new technologies directly related to their field of expertise. This is not a bad thing, because it also leads to more technical expertise - however, in the context of creating solutions that can solve societal issues, it is important that different fields of study and different sectors work together to create technologies that can bring a halt to the different problems that we are facing.

At the first-ever Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference (HIC) 2025 Iloilo Forum, the keynote panel session with the same theme as the forum “Knowledge Manufacturing the Intersection of Research Horizons in Visayas” will bring together experts from different sectors to show how they have challenged venturing into a different field or industry, and what kind of possibilities lie in doing such.

Get to know our esteemed panelists for this session below:.

Name and Photo	Bio
[KEYNOTE SPEAKER] Dr. Joval Martinez, RMicro CEO & President, Co-Lab Life Sciences	Dr. Joval N. Martinez is a Professor of Microbiology at the University of St. La Salle, Bacolod, and Founder-CEO of Co-Lab Life Sciences, a pioneering private biotechnology company in Negros Island. He earned his PhD and completed postdoctoral research at Tokyo Metropolitan University and Hiroshima University, focusing on microbial ecology and microbial-based biotechnological solutions. His research centers on harnessing hot spring–derived bacteria for applications in agriculture, healthcare, and food innovation. Currently, he serves as Principal Investigator of a DOST-funded project under the Functional Food Program, working with academe and industry partners to advance biotechnology, sustainability, and inclusive regional development.
Dr. Concepcion Ponce University of the Philippines Visayas Associate Professor	Dr. Concepcion Ponce received her Phd in Chemistry at the University of Saskatchewan. She was one of the Leaders in Innovation Fellow 2020 by Royal Academy of Engineering, London UK, DOST, and Asian Institute of Management, and was also recognized in University Innovation Fellow 2023 by the UP System. She is currently also the CEO of CirPro(Circular Process) Innovation Corp. a spinoff from the University of the Philippines Visayas which specializes in turning waste fruit peel into products that can be used in different industries.
Dr. Charmaigne Aguirre Eslabra Philippine Science High School - Western Visayas Campus Research Unit Head	Charmaigne A. Eslabra is a Special Science Teacher IV and Research Unit Head at the Philippine Science High School – Western Visayas Campus. A DOST HRDP scholar, she earned her PhD in Science Education (Mathematics) from West Visayas State University in 2024. She is a co-author of several DepEd Matatag K–10 compliant mathematics textbooks and teacher’s manuals published by Vibal Group, Inc. Since joining PSHSWVC in 2015, she has taught Mathematics, Statistics, and Research, and has coached students in competitions from division to national levels.

The HIC 2025 Iloilo Forum will be happening on September 12, 2025, at the Iloilo Science and Technology UniversityRegistration is still open for participants to join. Registration is still open for participants to join. Simply register for the event via the link below (FREE of charge for those affiliated with academia, government institutions, and university-based startups).

Registration Link:.
https://hic.lne.st/HIC2025ILO_Attendee 

Or, scan the QR code below:.

You may also visit our official HIC website for more details about the event:.
https://hic.lne.st/en/schedule/hic-2025-iloilo-forum/

For any questions regarding the event, please email ([email protected]) with special attention to Mr. Neil.