In her master’s thesis, Ms. Jolly Sulapas analyzed the speed of ground deformation in select metropolitan areas and cities in the Philippines from 2014 to 2020 using satellite images. Her research identified areas experiencing ground subsidence and examined the potential natural and anthropogenic causes of these deformations.
This study was the focus of the 38th episode of the Behind the Science Podcast. It is a timely and valuable relevant discussion, especially considering the frequent flooding experienced in Philippine cities. As an archipelagic country, many urban areas in the Philippines are vulnerable to rising sea levels, which, when combined with ground subsidence, exacerbate flooding and related hazards.
During the podcast, Ms. Sulapas shared her journey into the field of science. Fresh from graduating at the University of the Philippines National Institute for Geological Sciences, she began her career at Project NOAH’s Landslide Hazard Assessment Team. There, she discovered her passion for GIS and remote sensing, skills she now specializes in. Reflecting on her early aspirations, she mentioned how a career in science wasn’t something she initially envisioned, as the only professions she was exposed to while growing up were engineering and medicine.
Today, Ms. Sulapas is a full-time researcher aiming to expand her study by incorporating more data and replicating her methodology in other cities. Her advice for young researchers includes:
- Be a sponge: soak up and absorb as much information as possible and try to experience as many new things as you are able.
- Prioritize health: take care of your mental and physical wellbeing, and it should always come first.
- Use technology to your advantage: it will help you work more efficiently, but always remember to use it responsibly.
The Marine & Earth Science Learning Hub, in collaboration with the UP Resilience Institute, proudly brought you this episode of Behind the Science. Listen to a detailed discussion of Ms. Sulapas’ groundbreaking research and her inspiring journey in the field of science here:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd29u3AIPfg
Spotify: bit.ly/btspodcast-Spotify
Facebook: https://bit.ly/btspodcast-fb
📚Research spotlight:
Sulapas JS, Ybañez AB, Milcah K, Marie J, Mahar A. 2024. Ground subsidence in major Philippine metropolitan cities from 2014 to 2020. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation. 133:104107–104107.
Do you want to nominate a scientist in the field of DRR and geosciences to be featured on the Behind the Science Podcast? Or, have you read an author’s publication whose behind-the-scenes story you are eager to hear about? Email us at upri.educ@up.edu.ph, and we will do our best to feature them on the BTS Podcast!