Last May 08, 2023, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) warmly welcomed the return of two employees who successfully obtained their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in their respective universities in Japan.
Mr. Kevin L. Garas, PhD in Natural History Sciences (Major in Earth and Planetary Sciences), Hokkaido University and Mr. Mel Anthony Casulla, PhD in Engineering - Earth Resources Engineering, Kyushu University, were called in front during MGB’s weekly flag raising ceremony and gave a brief insight on their respective dissertations.
Dr. Mel Anthony Casulla (middle) and Dr. Kevin L. Garas are warmly welcomed in their return to MGB.
Dr. Garas presented his dissertation titled “Influence of East Asian Monsoon (EAM) and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) to Holocene Hydroclimate deduced from Northwest Pacific Corals”. In his explanation, he states “Geochemical records are important evidence of past climate and environmental changes. My research focuses on the interaction of the EAM and ENSO in modulating the sea surface temperature, sea surface salinity, and rainfall variabilities in the subtropical and tropical Northwest Pacific over the past 7000 years,” he continues the trace element and isotopic composition in aragonitic corals can track these oceanographic and climatic changes. Geochemical records were converted to time series data where seasonal and inter-annual climate signals were evaluated. Using coral geochemistry, Dr. Garas reconstructed the intensity of monsoon and ENSO in the past. The mechanism of ENSO in effect on monsoon rainfall in Southern Japan and Northern Philippines were established. He concludes the findings are vital in constraining the input parameters in climate model experiments.
Dr. Garas during his fieldwork in Kikai Island, Kagoshima, Japan
Photos taken during Dr. Garas’s PhD Thesis Defense
Dr. Garas’s graduate program was provided by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowship (Doctoral Course Category).
Dr. Casulla’s dissertation is titled, “Geophysical Investigations to Image Crustal Features and Potential Mineralization in the Philippine Island Arc System”, in which his main goal in continuing his studies in Japan was to develop technical skills in exploration geophysics that would allow him to contribute to the research and development related to mineral resources and groundwater assessment in the Philippines. These acquired skills (exploration geophysics) will be shared with other government officials and researchers. Aside from technical skills and knowledge, he became familiar with Japanese culture and systems, which assisted him in creating a network (e.g., colleagues, friends) that promotes the geoscience, geophysics, and responsible mining community. He is confident he can apply what he learned in Japan to MGB by emphasizing the importance of exploration geophysics in the geosciences (e.g., hydrogeology) and mining (e.g., mineral exploration) industry.
Photos with colleagues and friends in Japan.
Dr. Mel Casulla with his associates during an overseas field research in the Philippines.
Dr. Casulla explains he can do technology transfer by employing similar techniques (e.g., electrical resistivity) and skills (e.g., processing of geophysical data) that he acquired from his research. His research can significantly impact the geoscience and mining community by providing new data and interpretations of the hydrogeology, geology, tectonics, and mineral potentials of the Philippines using gravity and electrical resistivity, and induced polarization methods.
Surveys and examination conducted during the overseas fieldwork.
Dr. Casulla’s graduate studies was from a scholarship called the KIZUNA program by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which aims to build the capacity of government officials and researchers who contribute to the growth of the mining industry. This program provides chances for young researchers and government employees to study graduate courses for master's or doctoral degrees at Japanese graduate schools and to get internship experience at Japanese institutions or agencies. Furthermore, this program seeks to have participants comprehend and acquaint themselves with Japanese culture and systems and acquire skills and knowledge. The program aims to create a network of prospective contributors to responsible mineral exploration and mining development. Aside from the his graduate degree, Dr. Casulla also received a certificate for finishing an international special course on environmental systems engineering (doctoral degree).
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Final reporting for the KIZUNA Program.
Dr. Casulla during the KIZUNA Final Reporting Program Awarding.
Photos during Dr. Casulla’s graduation.
By: Mineral Economics, Information, and Publication Division