Name:

Mark James M. Canilang

Home Institution:

University of the Philippines Baguio

Host Institution:

Endicott College, Beverly MA 01915

Award Name:

Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD)

Award Year:

2024

Bio / Write-up:

Mark is a 3rd year Mathematics student at the University of the Philippines, the country’s premier national university. As a scholar, his research interests lie in the applications of mathematics to real-life problems from which communities can benefit.

His passion for applied mathematics drove him to be the AY 2023-2024 chairperson of the UP Math-Physics Society’s Research and Tutorials Committee where he spearheaded several successful educational programs and events. He also actively serves the academic community as a mentor in UP Baguio’s Learning Resource Center to teach his fellow university students mathematics courses, in cooperation with the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science where he also served as the lead student assistant, participating in the Department’s national and international events. 

Apart from regular academic work and volunteer engagements to promote quality education, he is also a lead student assistant at the Quantification, Identification, Classification, and Mapping of Plastics Pollution (QuICMaPP) Facility, a research initiative where he collaborates with professional scientists from various institutions to enact plastic pollution research aided by new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI).

As a Fulbright Scholar, Mark is thrilled by the opportunity to collaborate and build connections with academic institutions in the US. He is committed to honing his practical knowledge and increasing his research experience, enabling him to fulfill advocacy work that will benefit local communities in the Philippines. As for hobbies, he loves coffee and runs regularly to promote fitness and well-being.