“What if the air you just breathe in can charge your phone or power your car?”
Pinay scientist Princess Cabotaje was one of the finalists in the prestigious 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition by Coimbra Group with her thesis “Learning from Nature: Turning Air Into Electricity.”
Her thesis is about exploring the potential of enzymes called hydrogenases and use it as green energy fuel in the future.
In her award-winning presentation, Cabotaje emphasized the accessibility and broader significance of her research, aiming to make complex scientific concepts understandable to a diverse audience.
Cabotaje's success resonates beyond academia, signaling a significant step towards developing a hydrogen-based economy.
"Although this is still in the nascent or starting stage, maybe centuries later, this will become a reality and people will use this in their daily lives,” said Cabotaje.
Work smart
“In college, it was more like, okay, well, walang tulog, or like study during weekends. And if you're not sleeping during the night because you're studying, you're getting praised, and stuff like that,” she said.
But as she studied in Sweden, a country that values rest just as much as work, her approach changed.
“I think it's valid because how can you do the best of your work if you [are] burned out or you don't have the mental capacity [and] physical capacity to do your best job? So I think I am more of a balanced person now.”
Asked about her advice for aspiring scientists, she said, “Find something that inspires you or is interesting for you because everything else will follow.”
The purpose of joining this three-minute thesis competition was for me to have fun and try to improve my science [and] communication skills. Being in the finals is just a bonus,” she added.
Cabotaje gained an interest in biochemistry during her time at the Philippine Science High School in Cebu and pursued that interest in college at the University of the Philippines Diliman and the University of San Carlos where she earned her master’s degree in chemistry.
Currently, she is based in Sweden taking her PhD at Uppsala.
Photo Courtesy: DOST Philippines FB Page
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