Dr. Cheryl P. Andam is an Assistant Professor on Microbial Ecology at the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, USA was in the country from July 10 to August 8, 2017 as a Balik Scientist Program awardee hosted by the Philippine Genome Center.
Dr. Andam whose research interests include microbial and population genomics, is an Assistant Professor on Microbial Ecology at the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, USA. She received her BS in Forestry in 1998, from the University of the Philippines Baños and acquired her MS in Biology in 2005, from Binghamton University, State University of New York. She completed her Ph.D. in Microbiology in 2011, from the University of Connecticut; and proceeded as a Postdoctoral Associate in 2013, at Cornell University; and as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in 2016, at Harvard University.
While in the country, Dr. Andam conducted seminars in three (3) UP campuses beginning with UP Diliman on July 14 on the topic ” Using microbial population genomics to resolve the fussy species conundrum”. This was followed by another seminar at UP Los Baños titled “Genome evolution of Streptomyces bacteria: From nature to clinic and everything in between”, and on July 28 at UP Manila for the seminar titled “Horizontal gene transfer within and between microbial species”. And to officially end her Balik Scientist term, Dr. Andam conducted a final presentation titled “Genomic methods to analyze within-species variation and implications to public health” last August 4 in UP Diliman. On other days, Dr. Andam also met with the members of PGC’s executive committee as well as faculty members of UP Diliman, UP Los Baños and UP Manila for possible research collaborations.
DOST’s Balik Scientist Program [bsp.dost.gov.ph]
As a brain gain initiative of the Philippine government, the Balik Scientist Program (BSP) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) seeks to encourage highly-trained overseas Filipino scientists and technologists, experts, and professionals to return to the Philippines and share their expertise for the acceleration of the scientific, agro-industrial and economic development of the country.
Established in 1975, the Program serves as a tool for the strengthening of the country’s scientific and technological human resources. Thru the transfer of diverse new knowledge and expertise, Balik Scientists have been instrumental in providing solutions to national concerns, especially in areas where there are limited experts residing in the country. Local private and public institutions seeking technical assistance from foreign-based Filipino experts may apply for DOST assistance through the Program, either on a Short-Term or Long-Term basis.
To date, the BSP continues to be one of the DOST’s strategic programs which addresses the priority areas consistent with the current S&T priorities as identified by DOST for the country’s achievement of greater levels of competitiveness, economic value and prosperity.
Dr. Andam received her BS in Forestry, 1998, from the University of the Philippines Baños and acquired her MS in Biology, 2005, from Binghamton University, State University of New York. She completed her Ph.D. in Microbiology, 2011, from the University of Connecticut; and proceeded as a Postdoctoral Associate, 2013, at Cornell University; and as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, 2016, at Harvard University.
