By Sam Ramos
In time with the International Asteroid Day, Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) robotics engineering student Nadine Antonette Obafial has joined a select group of Filipinos with asteroids named in their honor. On June 30, the asteroid designated as 34044 OBAFIAL was officially named to recognize her contributions to science, a milestone announced by AdDU via social media on July 2.
The naming of asteroids by the science community serves as a tribute to individuals who have made noteworthy contributions to various scientific fields. Obafial earned this recognition as a part of a team that placed second in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in 2017, held in Los Angeles, California. The team’s project demonstrated the effectiveness of Acacia bark extract as an organic insecticide against the black rice bug, an innovation that AdDU highlighted as contributing to scientific development in the Philippines.
Now a senior and scholar in AdDU’s robotics engineering program, Obafial is one of 22 Filipinos with asteroids named after them, a list that includes scientists, students, and even historical figures. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) notes that such honors underscore the global recognition of Filipino talent and ingenuity in scientific research and innovation.
The Philippines has a history of celebrating its scientists’ contributions on the global stage. In recent years, government agencies, including the DOST, have supported research in areas such as environmental science, space exploration, and technology. Initiatives include scholarships for young scientists and grants for research institutions, which foster advancements in these fields and raise the country’s profile in the international science community.
International Asteroid Day, established by the United Nations in 2016, aims to increase public understanding of asteroid threats and the measures required to mitigate them. This recognition of young scientists like Obafial serves as a reminder of the value of scientific pursuits, with government and academic institutions working together to inspire the next generation of Filipino scientists.