Lady Maria Jeleya M. Babilonia is a researcher and a graduate of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand at Calayan Educational Foundation, Inc. (CEFI). Her interest in research began in the 10th grade and continued to flourish and grow when she entered the senior high school program at CEFI, where she gained meaningful experience in conducting Science Investigatory Projects and participating in local Science, Technology, and Innovation Fairs and Interschool research colloquia. These experiences strengthened her foundation in scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and research communication. Among the different approaches to research, she has developed a strong passion for qualitative research. She is particularly drawn to its ability to explore human experiences, perspectives, emotions, and stories beyond numerical data. For her, qualitative research provides an opportunity to understand people and their experiences more deeply and to give meaning to perspectives that may otherwise remain unheard. She hopes to further develop her skills as a researcher and contribute meaningful insights through research.

Adviser: Juliet C. San Luis