This month is South East Asian Heritage month, and Fitz Gerald Silao, a Postdoctoral Research Scientist in the Klemm Group has spoken to us about his academic journey from the Philippines to his current post.
- Why did you decide to pursue a career in research?
I have known since I was a young child that I wanted to become a scientist. I first became acquainted with science when my eldest cousin, who was then a biology major, did some of her experiments at home, including dissecting frogs and preserving plant specimens. That simple moment of watching someone do experiments sparked a lasting curiosity in me.
As a young student at Pasay City South High School, a public school in the Philippines, I led several investigatory projects for Intel-Philippine Science Fair, some of which received major awards at various levels of the competition and even set records for my school. I can still remember the excitement of bringing my groupmates to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) office to consult with professional scientists to discuss our research, and get help with project execution. This early engagement in scientific research and interaction with professional scientists reinforced my scientific interests. I am pleased to say that that this same passion continues to drive me today.
- Tell us about your educational and career journey so far i.e. the steps that brought you to your current role at DPAG?
I am a currently a Postdoctoral Research Scientist in the laboratory of Professor Robin Klemm at DPAG, where my research focuses on the pro-survival function of the lipid transfer protein, mitoguardin-2 (MIGA2). Before moving to the Klemm lab, I was a Postdoctoral Researcher in the lab of Professor Joanna Poulton at the Department of Women's and Reproductive Health (NDWRH), also in Oxford, where I investigated the potential benefits of photobiomodulation (PBM) as an alternative therapeutic strategy for mitochondrial disease. I earned my PhD in Molecular Bioscience from Stockholm University in 2019 under the supervision of Professor Per Ljungdahl, supported by a Marie Curie ITN pre-doctoral fellowship. My PhD thesis investigated the role of mitochondrial proline metabolism and amino acid-dependent alkalization in the virulence of the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. After completing my PhD, I continued my research in the same lab as a Senior Researcher at the Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) in Stockholm.
Before moving to Sweden in 2014 to embark on my PhD study, I had 7+ years of industry experience (2006-2014) in a multinational food manufacturing company (Nestlé Philippines). I spent five of those years in my full capacity as an R&D executive specialising in process technology and thermal processing of shelf-stable ready-to-drink beverages.
I completed my early education in the Philippines, where I am professionally accredited as a Registered Chemist (RCh), Registered Microbiologist (RM), and a Professional Food Technologist (PFT). I earned my BSc in Biochemistry from the University of the Philippines-Manila, as a scholar of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Air Material Wings Savings and Loan Association, Inc. (AMWSLAI), and as a recipient of the ‘Best Thesis’ award for my work on Cryptosporidium parasite. I later obtained a MSc degree in Microbiology from the University of Perpetual Help System Laguna where I received the ‘Outstanding Thesis’ award for my research on the role of fungal calcineurin pathway in Candida oculomycosis.
- Why did you decide to venture into this particular type of science over anything else?
I have always been fascinated in mitochondria, which are subcellular organelles traditionally known as the “powerhouse of the cell” due to their energy-generating function in eukaryotic cells. However, emerging studies suggested that their function is no longer confined within this energy-generating role as they are also involved in other processes including cellular signalling, cell death, and even in processes that operate at the organismic level itself. Indeed, my recent move to Oxford to undertake additional postdoctoral works under Professors Klemm and Poulton is driven by a deliberate effort to expand my research portfolio to mammalian mitochondrial physiology.
- Tell us about your research project/focus, including your main objectives?
My current research is focused on understanding the mechanistic basis by which organelle crosstalk through lipids at membrane contact sites (MCSs) regulates mitochondrial dynamics and the determination of cell fate. Specifically, I am studying how mitoguardin-2 (MIGA2), a lipid transport protein localised to the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM), influences the assembly of mitochondrial respirasome, and how this process, in turn, can affect the cell’s commitment to programmed cell death during nutrient stress. This work has important implications for our basic understanding of mechanisms underlying metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.
- What has been your career highlight so far and/or what do you most enjoy about your work?
I really enjoy doing research because it gives me the opportunity to satisfy my curiosity. I often find myself sitting up in bed before sleep to ‘quickly’ look up a concept and then imagine the experiments that I will do the following day. I am keen on learning new methods in order to expand my experimental toolkit, which then allows me to respond flexibly to emerging research needs. I approach experiments with a low energy threshold for action and a strong eagerness to test hypotheses. Working with Professor Robin Klemm, a world leader in membrane contact sites and lipid metabolism, is a source of great pride. The science is intense and intellectually stimulating, which I deeply appreciate of course. Coming from a fungal infection biology background, my switch to the mammalian membrane contact site and lipid biology field is something that I would consider a career highlight. It has allowed me to demonstrate my ability to adapt and pivot into a disparate field.
In industry, I spearheaded several projects that were recognised for their innovation. The most important of which was a modified manufacturing process that doubled the output of a production facility, which received the Grand Prize during the first CEO Innovations Awards. This initiative, which is the first of its kind at Nestlé, served as the manufacturing blueprint for a facility upgrade at Nestlé Philippines, and has since been adopted by other facilities and markets.
- What challenges have you faced in your career and/or research?
My career path into research is rather unconventional in that I spent a significant amount of time in industry before I decided to work on my PhD and pursue a full-time research career. While some might view this as a disadvantage considering that emphasis is often placed on early academic productivity and research output, I see it as a unique strength that brings a broader and mature perspective to my work. I initially planned of pursuing a research career in the Philippines, but I was compelled to set this goal aside due to practical realities, and the limited local opportunities and infrastructure. While working full-time in industry, I completed my MSc degree, all financed through my salary and part-time work as a chemistry lecturer. I later embarked on a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of the Philippines-Manila but the almost daily 48-km commute to the university in a country known for its high traffic index, combined with full-time work, made continuing very unsustainable. Although I achieved professional success in industry through the awards and recognitions received, my decision to move abroad was largely influenced by my deep commitment to scientific discovery and the desire for intellectual freedom.
Another significant challenge in my career was the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as it compelled me to forgo personal plans of applying for highly competitive fellowships (e.g., EMBO, HFSP, EU-MC, SSMF) after receiving my PhD in November 2019 as they require international relocation. Having a family of my own, it was challenging to even consider relocating during the height of the pandemic. In fact, during the final application round within my eligibility period – the only time that I applied – I was shortlisted and/or put on reserve, but was eventually unable to proceed further. Unfortunately, the short eligibility window of 2-3 years post-PhD for these fellowships limits the opportunity for re-application.
- What is most important to you about your South East Asian heritage?
I am very proud of my cultural heritage. While it has its challenges, the highly competitive nature brought upon by a resource-limited environment, trains one to become more resilient, adaptable, and resourceful. Growing up in the Philippines instilled in me a drive to work efficiently and the importance of thinking things through to avoid wasting resources.
- Why do you think it's important to celebrate South East Asian Heritage Month?
Like many countries in South East Asia or collectively, the ASEAN countries, the Philippines was under colonial rule for many years, first by Spain (1521-1898) and then by the United States of America (1898-1946). This long history of foreign rule instilled as a result a level of colonial mentality among Filipinos, a mindset that is likely shared among many neighboring ASEAN countries. Despite several generations having passed, this colonial mentality appears to exist today. This mindset can limit self-worth and the potential of people to make significant contributions to endeavors of global relevance. South East Asian Heritage Month provides an excellent platform to showcase the capabilities of Filipinos and other ASEAN nationals to advance specific fields, like in my case, the sciences. This event also serves as an opportunity to recognize the contributions of people from these underrepresented communities, whose contributions to UK academia have in the past been overlooked. Most importantly, as the world is becoming more connected, it is all the more important to understand and recognise the diversity that comprises the UK academic community - so as to promote peaceful coexistence and effective collaboration.