A BS Biology student of Central Luzon State University is presently doing a short-term research program at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) in Canada until January of 2024.

Lhea Celline Balajonda, who specializes in Biotechnology, is an awardee of the Canada-ASEAN Scholarship and Educational Exchange for Development (SEED) Program, marking the first recipient from CLSU to receive this prestigious scholarship.

Balajonda is admitted as a visiting experiential learning student in the Plant Sciences Department at the USask from September 15, 2023, to January 15, 2024.

Her project, centered on the Genomic Analysis and Expression of Betaine Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 (BADH2) Gene in CLSU Aromatic Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Accessions, is under the joint supervision of her CLSU advisor, Dr. Jerwin Undan, and Dr. Timothy Sharbel of USask.

In addition to her enriching research experience in Saskatchewan, Balajonda also excitedly shared that she has already had the opportunity to witness the mesmerizing aurora borealis phenomenon from her location.

The SEED Program, facilitated by the Canadian Bureau for International Education, provides scholarships for students from ASEAN member states to conduct short-term studies or research in Canadian institutions. This program focuses on areas that contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a global blueprint for achieving a more equitable and sustainable future.