Internship Programs

The METAS Lab hosts practicum and internship programs for secondary-level and undergraduate students to enhance their classroom learning and gain hands-on experience in microbiology. METAS interns are immersed in in-depth laboratory experiments, equipment use, and data analysis structured in actual laboratory research. At the end of the program, interns develop their academic and interpersonal skills, allowing them to refine their interests and envision their future careers.

John Mari R. Salazar, shares his experience as an Intern of METAS Lab

John Mari performing microbiological assays
Undergraduate interns during the necropsy observation at the Cetacean Pathology Training and Workshop
John Mari R. Salazar, one of our BS Biology interns from the University of the Philippines Manila, shares his experience as an intern of METAS Lab.

METAS Lab hopes that the knowledge and skills he gained from the internship will be useful in his academic endeavors, as well as in his goal to contribute to marine conservation initiatives in the community. 

Internship 2025
METAS Lab hosted high school and undergraduate interns.

Philippine Science High School - Bicol Campus (PSHS-BRC) students Jilianne L. Lim, Francis Aaron A. Baladia, and Daevid Micko C. Zape learned microbiological water quality testing and other microbiological techniques during their internship from June 16 to July 04, 2025. 

BS Biology students from the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) completed a one-month internship from June 16 to July 18, 2025.  Donita Kate M. Cerda (UPLB), Aldwyn Jade A. Macuha (UPLB), John Mari R. Salazar (UPM), Robbie Heinrich C. Singson Que (UPM), and Helene Therese C. Tan (UPM) were engaged in microbiological assays, cetacean pathology workshop, and in silico analyses for microbial interactions. 

Congratulations for completing your program, METAS 2025 Interns!

Watch the video on internship experience prepared by this batch of undergraduate interns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI_NW4rceec

University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) Immersion 2025
The METAS Laboratory hosted 33 SHS students from the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) on March 3 and 10, 2025. The Grade 11 students were immersed in microbiology laboratory activities.​

University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) Internship 2024
The METAS Laboratory hosted two SHS students from the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) from December 2 to 13, 2024. Ms. Alyssa Denise Sedurante and Ms. Alexandra Sophia Blasi, Grade 12 students from the Applied Science and Engineering Track, were immersed in microbiology laboratory activities for two weeks. Dr. Marie Christine Obusan, Ms. Sarah Jean Supnet, Mr. Ren Mark Villanueva, Ms. Hanna Estadilla, and Ms. Camille Santos prepared the microbiology laboratory activities for the interns.

Undergraduate Internship Program 2024
 Joint METAS Lab and Regen Lab Internship for Undergraduate Students 
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BS Biology undergraduate students from the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), and Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU) were hosted by the METAS Lab and Regen Lab for a month-long internship starting June 24 to July 26, 2024. Ms. Karyle Cheska Quinita (UPM), Ms. Rean Jia Alpajaro (UPLB), Ms. Leslie De Guzman (UPLB), and Mr. Marcus Emile Franco (PSAU) performed microbiology techniques under the supervision of Senior Research Associates Mr. Ren Mark Villanueva, Mr. Leomir Diaz, Mr. Jobriell Baluyot, and Ms. Jamaica Ann Caras.

Philippine Science High School - Science Immersion Program (PSHS-SIP) 2024
As part of the PSHS-SIP, Pisay students were hosted by the METAS Lab for a 3-week internship from June 19 to July 9, 2024. Mr. Joaquin Fuentebella (PSHS-CALABARZON), Mr. Aaron Cordial (PSHS-Bicol), and Ms. Catherine Panelo (PSHS-Main) were given the full microbiology work experience under the supervision of Dr. Marie Christine Obusan and Ms. Jamaica Ann Caras

University of Santo Tomas (UST) - METAS Lab Internship

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In photo: Ms. Calingasan during her exit presentation
UST students were hosted by the UP Institute of Biology for a 1-month internship, as part of the UST Internship Program for undergraduate students. Ms. Candice Rice Calingasan was given the full microbiology work experience in METAS Lab in collaboration with the Regen Laboratory under the supervision of Mr. Leomir Diaz, Mr. Jobriell Baluyot, Mr. Ren Mark Villanueva, and Ms. Jamaica Ann Caras, with the guidance of Dr. Marie Christine Obusan, and Dr. Michael Velarde.

Philippine Science High School - Science Immersion Program (PSHS-SIP) 2023
As part of the PSHS-SIP, Pisay students were hosted by the METAS Lab for a 3-week internship. Ms. Danielle Alyx Estella (PSHS-SOCCSKSARGEN), Mr. Yeshuah Psalmuel Villar (PSHS-CALABARZON), Ms. Harlene Mae Deñina (PSHS-Bicol), and Ms. Mia Joy Formalejo (PSHS-Bicol) were given the full microbiology work experience under the supervision of Dr. Marie Christine Obusan, Ms. Jamaica Ann Caras, and Mr. Ren Mark Villanueva.

Philippine Science High School - Science Immersion Program (PSHS-SIP) A.Y. 2021-2022
The METAS Laboratory along with the Fungi Laboratory of Dr. Leilani Sumabat-Dacones hosted three SHS students from the Philippine Science High School last June 13 - July 1, 2022. Sean Patrick Lelis (Bicol Region Campus), Marc Edcil Mutya (Zamboanga Region Campus), and Angeliz Navarro (Calabarzon Region Campus) are Grade 12 students.
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Dr. Marie Christine Obusan, Dr. Leilani Sumabat-Dacones, and Ms. Jamaica Ann Caras prepared modules and virtual laboratory activities for the interns to learn and practice microbial and fungal techniques.

University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) Internship A.Y. 2021-2022
The METAS Laboratory hosted two SHS students from the University of the Philippines Integrated School on February 14-24. Julia Del Valle and Roczanne Dela Cruz are Grade 12 students from the Applied Science and Engineering Track. Dr. Marie Christine Obusan and Ms. Jamaica Ann Caras prepared modules and virtual laboratory activities for the interns to learn and practice microbial techniques.

Philippine Science High School - Science Immersion Program (PSHS-SIP) 2019
The 2-week activity aimed to provide high school students with opportunities to develop science, ​technology research, and laboratory skills, and to interact with host scientists, researchers, and technicians. Students from different PSHS campuses assigned to METAS Lab isolated earthworm gut bacteria and performed enzyme, antimicrobial, and biochemical assays, ​DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, and agarose gel electrophoresis. They presented their research activities and findings during the post-immersion day. The immersion program was in cooperation with the Institute of Biology, UP Diliman, and was held from June 24 to July 12, 2019.

University Student Sponsorship Programme (USSP) Internship: Cetacean Health and Stranding Program: A One Health Initiative in the Philippines

​An effort of the Ocean Park Conservation Fund Hong Kong to encourage a career in conservation by
​giving a first-hand experience with the METAS Lab, Institute of Biology, UP Diliman from May 21 to June 1, 2019
Visit on May 29, 2019 at the Marine Biotoxin Lab of the Regional Mariculture Technology Demonstration Center (RMaTDeC) in Lucap, Alaminos City, Pangasinan as one of the rehabilitation sites for stranded cetaceans
Dolphin watching at Tanon Strait, Dumaguete City with the interns, research associates, Dr. Marie Christine Obusan, and Dr. Lemnuel Aragones (Director, IESM, UP Diliman) on May 21-24, 2019
Interns Shadow Chan and Rachel Cheng's presentation of their activities on June 1, 2019