#ProudViscan wins back-to-back Best Oral Presentation for shear line study at meteorology convention

Photo courtesy of Philippine Meteorological Society

Brian G. Añano, a fourth-year BS Meteorology student in VSU has once again proven his excellence in meteorological research and secured the Best Oral Presentation award at the Philippine Meteorological Society (PMS) Convention 2025 held on March 17-18, 2025. 

His study on Utilizing Equivalent Potential Temperature and Water Vapor Flux in Assessing Winter Monsoon Shear Lines in the Western North Pacific captivated the judges and audience alike, marking his second consecutive victory in the competition. 

This achievement follows his 2024 Best Oral Presentation award for a case study on rainfall events caused by shear lines in Eastern Samar, Philippines. 

Reflecting on this remarkable feat, Añano shared that winning last year was already an incredible honor, but receiving the same recognition this year is beyond his expectations. “It feels surreal,” he shared.

When asked about the factors that distinguished his presentation from others, Añano emphasized his efforts to engage the audience. 

“Given that my topic involves complex meteorological concepts, I made sure to establish a connection with the audience. I maintained eye contact, used prosody, and emphasized key points to make the discussion feel more like a conversation than a lecture.”

He also highlighted the importance of communicating science effectively to both the academe and the general public. 

Photo courtesy of Philippine Meteorological Society

Moreover, his approach to making his research more accessible and engaging contributed to his success. His ability to translate highly technical information into an understandable and compelling narrative played a key role in captivating the audience and judges alike. 

Añano’s research explores the use of equivalent potential temperature (theta-e) and water vapor flux (VPF) in identifying and assessing sear lines during the winter monsoon (locally known as Amihan) in the Western North Pacific. 

Shear lines are often linked to heavy rainfall and flooding in the Philippines, making their accurate detection crucial for improving weather forecasting. 

Through this study, Añano analyzed meridional (north-south) theta-e gradients and vertically integrated WVF convergence to assess their effectiveness in pinpointing shear line locations and their extent. 

His findings revealed that theta-e gradients closely correspond with shear line positions observed in satellite imagery, while WVF convergence confirmed moisture accumulation along these boundaries. 

However, additional research is needed to account for terrain interactions, weather system overlaps, and data inconsistencies. 

Añano’s research aims to improve weather forecasting methods and disaster preparedness by providing a more structured approach to assessing shear lines. 

Conducting research at this scare was not without difficulties. However, despite the obstacles, his perseverance and passion for meteorology kept him motivated.

“I encountered hardware limitations and the computational demands of processing large meteorological datasets as significant challenges. Additionally, debugging Python scripts and balancing my research with academic responsibilities added to the complexity of this work,” he shared. 

He added that one of the most challenging aspects was ensuring that the data processing methods were accurate and replicable. He also spent countless hours refining his coding techniques and verifying his results to maintain the integrity of his research. 

Añano’s study will improve meteorological assessment, particularly in forecasting extreme rainfall events, by providing new insights into the location, extent, and intensity of shear lines. His work will help establish clearer detection criteria for shear lines, which is vital for weather forecasters and disaster management agencies in mitigating risks associated with heavy rainfall and flooding. 

His findings can also  contribute to developing improved early warning systems that can help communities prepare for severe weather conditions, ultimately reducing the impact of extreme rainfall events on vulnerable populations. 

The Road from 2024 to 2025

Añano’s 2024 study, which analyzed rainfall characteristics from a single weather station in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, laid the groundwork for his 2025 research. 

Expanding from a localized perspective to a broader analysis across the Western North Pacific, his latest study takes a more comprehensive approach by integrating thermodynamic parameters. 

“Last year’s study taught me that assessing a synoptic-scale weather system requires a broader perspective. It also emphasized the need for a clearer definition of shear lines, which is something I hope to contribute with this research,” Añano quipped while reflecting on his journey. 

Despite his success, he remains grounded. He sees these achievements as stepping stones to further learning and potential postgraduate studies in meteorology.

“Science is about exploration,  not competition. Winning these awards is an incredible honor, but my goals remain the same, which is to grow as a researcher and contribute to meteorology.”

Añano credits VSU for promoting a research-driven environment that has supported his academic journey. He expressed gratitude to the Department of Meteorology for the guidance, and for the university for providing financial support that allowed him to present his research at the PMS convention. 

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the mentors and colleagues who have played a significant role in my research journey. First and foremost, I am immensely grateful to my research adviser, Mr. Charlindo S. Torrion (lecturer for Mete148; Head of the Department of Meteorology) for his invaluable guidance and support throughout this study. I also extend my appreciation to the Chairperson of the Science Research Committee (SRC), Dr. Joseph Basconcillo (Senior Weather Specialist in DOST-PAGASA's Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section) for his expert insights and encouragement. Additionally, I am thankful for the support of other faculty members from the Department of Meteorology, particularly SRC member Mr. Arvin Rae Gavan, Mr. Daniel Lor (Mete148 laboratory instructor) and Engr. Rotsen Labisores. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge my classmates and fellow student researchers in the Mete148 class, whose dedication and passion have made this journey even more meaningful.”

As he continues his journey in meteorology, Añano hopes to inspire fellow students to pursue research that contributes to scientific knowledge and societal progress. 

He plans to further refine his research, explore new meteorological parameters, and eventually contribute to policy-making initiatives that can help enhance the country’s weather forecasting capabilities and disaster resilience. 

This article is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and; SDG 13: Climate Change.

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