A group of fourth-year UST medical biology students went viral after being caught on camera defending their thesis presentation during an evacuation drill at the UST Open Field on Wednesday, April 30.
In a Facebook post by the College of Science, the students were photographed responding to a panel of professors — including Science Dean Rey Donne Papa — while standing on the field mid-drill. Also present on the panel were Asst. Prof. Richard Pavia Jr. and instructor Maria Escobar.
At the time of writing, the photo had already amassed over 5,400 likes and 700 shares.
Group member AJ Alvarez said they had just wrapped up the presentation segment inside the Main Building when the 9 a.m. drill suddenly cut off the question-and-answer portion.
“Jokingly, sabi ni Dr. Pavia, ituloy ‘yong defense sa UST Open Field. Sumabay sila dean, at nagtanong ng actual question. Tapos na-picturean kami,” Alvarez told the Varsitarian.
Alvarez said he and his thesis groupmates — Clark Teresa, Regina Romera, and Maxeene Canillas — successfully defended their study.
“Our thesis journey had its fair share of ups and downs, but we’re happy to have successfully presented and defended it,” Alvarez said.
“We hope that our study will reach the right people and spark meaningful action for environmental rehabilitation and be wiser in plastic use.”
Their thesis, titled “Microplastics in Stream Macroinvertebrates: Contamination Across Aquatic Insect Feeding Groups and Life Stages in the Silang-Santa Rosa Subwatershed,” explores how microplastics affect aquatic insects, varying by both feeding group and life stage.
The study underscores the pressing need for better pollution management and waste regulation in freshwater ecosystems.
