In Episode 43 of the Behind the Science Podcast, Dr. Lea Dasallas shares her inspiring journey into research and the natural science field. As a child, she often found herself gazing up at the sky, unaware that this fascination would eventually lead her to her current career. She never expected she would take a path in science, as she didn’t see it as a lucrative profession. However, getting awarded a DOST scholarship together with the higher stipend compared to other courses led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in physics—a decision she admits came with its challenges. “Ang hirap pala!” she recalls, now amused at her early struggles and initial regret over her choice.
Her childhood fascination with the sky came full circle when she had her internship at PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration) and began to see the application of physics in atmospheric studies. Later, when she joined Project NOAH, she deepened this understanding and came to fully appreciate the significance of how atmospheric dynamics impact people’s lives.
Dr. Dasallas’ work is undeniably valuable in disaster preparedness and mitigation. In this episode, she discusses her research on developing a flood model for the record-breaking rainfall brought by Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) in 2009. This catastrophic event marked the beginning of more frequent extreme weather patterns in the Philippines. Her research could serve as basis for flood mitigation plans and interventions to help communities prepare and respond more effectively.
Beyond discussing the technical aspects of her work, Dr. Dasallas offers a candid glimpse into her personal life. As breadwinner, she shared the struggles of balancing family responsibilities with her passion for the sciences. Completing her Master’s degree in Meteorology at the UP IESM (Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology) required discipline and sheer stubbornness, as she juggled academic requirements alongside a full-time corporate job.
Listen to Dr. Dasallas’ heartfelt and grounded journey in science and hear her advice for aspiring researchers. The Behind the Science Podcast is brought to you by the Marine & Earth Science Learning Hub in partnership with the UP Resilience Institute. Here, we bring you research stories from inception to publication.
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📚Research spotlight:
Dasallas, L., An, H., & Lee, S. (2022). Developing an integrated multiscale rainfall-runoff and inundation model: Application to an extreme rainfall event in Marikina-Pasig River Basin, Philippines. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 39, 100995.
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