Beatrice Maquilan

Featured on November 20, 2022

Beatrice ‘Beam’ Maquilan is a multi-hyphenate chemistry undergraduate at the University of Tokyo and science communicator.

A top graduate from Manila Science High School and De La Salle University Senior High School, Beam initially studied physics (material physics) at the University of the Philippines Diliman. In 2021, she transferred to the University of Tokyo, where she is currently a chemistry senior.

Beam’s research interests include the development of sustainable materials for green energy and environmental preservation. Outside university, she shares her passion for science through her YouTube channel ‘science beam’, where she produces self-written and self-animated videos!

Some fun facts from Beam herself!

1. Can’t live without music. Back in Manila, I used to spend hours in the car going to school, and going home. Often, I do my homework in the car because classes were from 7 am – 7 pm, but when that would be difficult because of all the moving, I would just look out the window, and enjoy my music. In those moments, especially after a tiring whole day in school, listening to music would energize me, calm me, and ready me to *be productive*. This is my playlist when I illustrate/animate for my videos!! 
   Music drives me! In my room, when I edit videos at night, most of the time I break into dance when the right song comes along. It’s no surprise because when I was 6, my mom got me this pink CD player, and I would put Britney Spears on, then dance in my room. Other times I borrowed my mom’s iPod and dance around as well, sometimes with the iPod flying to the floor.
2. I started making science videos for my own channel because I lost TWICE in an international video making contest. I joined the contest 3 times actually, but the 3rd time I wasn’t allowed to submit my video because by October I would be older than the age limit. It was weird because at the ACTUAL video deadline in August, I was still in the age group. BUT ANYWAAAYS, because of that I just continued making science videos for myself after I *fell in love* with the process.
   With making science videos, I get to explore my curiosity. I have this big question I want to answer so I start reading, watching to understand how it works. By trying to put the facts into my own words, and into my own animations, I’m basically “testing” myself how much I understood everything HAHA #nerdthings. PLUS I get to share to people that FEELING OF FASCINATION after understanding that *big* science concept.
3. Before uploading science videos in my channel, I used to upload videos about video games. I had videos on Assassin’s Creed, Pokemon, and The Sims 4 because in 8th grade, PewDiePie was my idol! I loved his energy and *even until now* I wanted to be like him spreading so much positive energy out into the world!