Filipino-American scientist Prof. Rigoberto Advincula of the University of Tennessee— Knoxville met UP Mindanao scientists and staff in an exploratory meeting to find common research interests in a conference call on November 8, 2024. UP Mindanao Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs Annabelle Novero, College of Science and Mathematics Dean Cleto Nañola Jr., and the Technology Transfer and Business Development Office team led by Chief Researcher Melvin Pasaporte acknowledged Prof. Advincula’s invitation for academic exchange in the fields of chemical engineering, materials science, fiber optics, and polymers. Prof. Advincula heads the Oaks Ridge National Laboratory Center for Nanophase Materials Science in the US and was instrumental in the design of the DOST’s Advanced Manufacturing Center.