Location (during time of takeover)
School/Institution
| Undergrad | University of the Philippines Baguio |
|---|---|
| Graduate Studies | University of Tokyo |
| Masters | University of Tokyo |
| PhD | University of Tokyo |
| Researcher | National University of Singapore |
Featured on January 29, 2023
This week, we’re joined by Ven Paolo Valenzuela—a Research Fellow at the Asia Research Institute at the National University of Singapore!
Paolo graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences (Major in Social Anthropology) from the University of the Philippines Baguio. Through the MEXT Scholarship, he pursued graduate studies at the Graduate Program in Sustainability Science – Global Leadership Initiative at the University of Tokyo. There, he completed his Masters and PhD in Sustainability Science.
Paolo’s research synergizes social and natural science methods to holistically understand contemporary disaster risk reduction, climate change, and sustainable development. His current research focuses on the social dimensions of adaptations to climate change and disasters.
Fun facts about Paolo:
- He is a walking definition of “grades don’t define you”. It took him 5 years to finish a 4-year course and he graduated with barely passing marks. Except for those who knew him during or after graduate studies, no one expected him to be in academia. Despite that, he was granted the MEXT Scholarship with University Recommendation and was able to finish both his Masters and PhD at the University of Tokyo.
- He geeks out on a lot of stuff. He plays video games, collects plastic models, watches professional wrestling, and nerds out on the latest technologies. At one point in my life, he wanted to become a professional wrestler. More interesting than that though is that he will absolutely try the weirdest and wackiest food he encounters. Green Tea Flavored Cup Noodles? Of course, he does it for science. Tapioca pearls on pizza? He has your back, fam. Japanese Mayonnaise Ice Cream Bar? Yes, so you don’t have to.
- Whenever he conducts research or travels, he makes sure to take a lot of photos (which he often uses on his own presentations). You can check his Instagram out for some of these.
