De La Salle University will serve as a host institution for another Balik Scientist. Dr. Sheila Maria Conejos, currently an Associate Professor and Head of Programme at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, will collaborate with DLSU to share her expertise in sustainable urbanism, heritage conservation, and building maintainability in the Philippines from July 2025 to June 2026.
Conejos brings impressive academic credentials and global experience to this role. With a PhD in Sustainable Development and Architecture from Bond University and a Master’s in Urban Development Planning from the Asian Institute of Technology, she has established herself as a leader in the field.
During her time at DLSU, Conejos will spearhead several initiatives focused on sustainable urbanism and resilient building practices. She will lead seminars on Building Pathology, Adaptation, and Circular Sustainable Facility Management, along with workshops on Building Diagnostics, Maintainability, and Circular Building Materials.
She will work closely with the Gokongwei College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, and the Thermomechanical Analysis Laboratory (TALa), led by Dr. Aristotle Ubando. Her contributions will include support for a Department of Science and Technology funded project that explores solar powered wall systems designed to reduce indoor humidity and lower energy use in tropical climates. In addition, she will mentor graduate students working on sustainable construction, energy efficient design, and data driven building management.
The program will culminate in several academic publications and a comprehensive sustainability action plan for DLSU as a living laboratory, bridging the gap between academic research and practical applications for a more sustainable built environment in the Philippines.
