by Rex Godinez Ortega, OC
NEARLY a quarter of a million pesos or P245,000 are handed out by MSU-IIT to its faculty and graduate and undergraduate students in recognition of their research excellence and contribution to the advancement of human knowledge during its Annual In-House Review (AIHR) of research and development projects.
The AIHR, which is held on September 25 at the conference rooms of the Premier Research Institute of Science and Mathematics (PRISM), produces a total of 20 winners from the professional, graduate, and undergraduate categories who competed in the following contest clusters – Natural Sciences; Engineering Sciences and Technology; Social Sciences and Business; and Health and Health-Related Researches.
According to Dr. Evelyn Creencia, Director of the Department of Research, forty (40) research papers are presented orally during the AIHR.
The winners from the professional category are awarded P20,000 (first prize) and P15,000 (second prize); graduate category, P15,000 (first prize) and P10,000 (second prize); undergraduate P10,000 (first prize) and P5,000 (second prize).
The cash prizes are sourced from the Institute’s research funds, and given out to MSU-IIT researchers not only to recognize their work but also to help build a culture of research on campus.
A result of this cultivation of a research culture in the Institute can be seen in the growing number of staff members on campus who conduct research and who publish and present their papers in national and international conferences.
In fact, a non-teaching employee of MSU-IIT assigned at the Human Resource Management Division named Sittie Akima A. Ali wins the first prize in the professional category of the Social Sciences and Business cluster of this AIHR.
The AIHR, which is already on its 17th installment, is an activity conducted by the Department of Research of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE) that allows MSU-IIT to evaluate the research and development projects conducted (completed and on-going) in the Institute.
It also allows the Institute to open a discussion on the results and findings of such research and development projects.
The AIHR begins as a once-a-year activity in 2002 through the efforts of then Department of Research Director and now Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Franco G. Teves. By 2013, the AIHR becomes a bi-annual event to accommodate the huge volume of research papers submitted.
Since last year, however, the activity is returned to its original once-a-year schedule.
The 17th AIHR features 11 evaluators from top universities in Luzon and Visayas, as well as from the Commission on Higher Education and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
These evaluators are the following:
For the Natural Sciences Cluster: Prof. Allan Patrick G. Macabeo of the Department of Chemistry of the University of Santo Tomas; Assoc. Prof. Luis Maria B. Garcia of the Institute of Biology of the University of the Philippines-Diliman; and Prof. Shirley T. Palisoc of the Department of Physics of De La Salle University – Manila.
For the Engineering Sciences and Technology Cluster: Susan M. Gallardo, University Fellow and Retired Professor of Chemical Engineering of De La Salle University and Assoc. Prof. Joel P. Ilao of the Computer Technology Department and Assistant Dean for Research and Advanced Studies of the College of Computer Studies of De La Salle University.
For the Social Sciences and Business Cluster: Prof. Pepito R. Fernandez Jr., political scientist (and Human Geographer) from the University of the Philippines-Visayas; Dr. Laura B. Fermo, a Senior Economist, Monetary and Economic Policy Advisory Committee, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; and Dr. Mimosa C. Ocampo, a retired professor of the University of the Philippines – Los Baños, Laguna.
For the Health and Health-Related Cluster: Prof. Daisy R. Palompon of the Cebu Normal University, Cebu City; Dr. Evalyn E. Abalos, appointed member, CHED Technical Committee for Nursing Education; and Dr. Joel Rey U. Acob, an Assistant Professor at Visayas State University, Leyte
The winners at the 17th AIHR are the following:
Natural Sciences Cluster
Professional Category
1st Prize (P20,000) Assoc. Prof. Joey Genevieve Martinez
Influence of Heavy Metals on Nematode Community Structure in Deteriorated Soil by Gold Mining Activities in Sibutad, Southern Philippines
(Joey Genevieve Martinez, Mark Anthony Torres, Giovanni Dos Santos, and Tom Moens)
2nd Prize (P15,000) Prof. Ephrime Metillo
Fisheries and Feeding Biology of Rays (Mobulidae, Chondrichthyes) in Northern Mindanao, Philippines
(Ephrime Metillo, Shirlamaine Irina G. Masangcay, Shannon Arnold)
Graduate Category
1st Prize (P15,000) Mr. Mark Arcebal K. Naive
Exploring Philippines Zingiberaceae: The Genus Etlingera (Alpinieae) in the Island of Mindanao including three taxonomic Novelties
(Mark Arcebal K. Naive, Cesar G. Demayo and Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro)
2nd Prize (P10,000) TIE
Key T. Simfroso
Influence of Solution Precursors on Gas and Photo Sensing Performances of High-temperature Plasma Sprayed ZnO Coatings
(Key T. Simfroso, Mike Angelo C. Kua, Alfredo Q. Liboon, Jr., Angel Lou A. Dagala, Jose Presiphil B. Ontolan, Jr., Reynaldo M. Vequizo, Rolando T. Candidato, Jr., and Lech Pawlowski)
and
Angel Lou Dagala
Fabrication and Characterization of Polyaniline/ITO heterojunction for Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Gas Sensing
(Angel Lou Dagala, Jose Presiphil B. Ontolan, Jr., Majvell Kay O. Vequizo, Bianca Rae S. Fabricante, Rolando T. Candidato, Jr., and Reynaldo M. Vequizo)
Undergraduate Category
1st Prize (P15,000) TIE
Jayson R. Pucot
Understanding the Biological and Pharmaceutical Basis of the Ethnomedicinal Plant “Himag” Jacquemontia Paniculata by Qualitative Evaluation of its Bark Ethanolic Extract’s Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities
(Jayson R. Pucot, Muhmin Michael E. Manting, Cesar G. Demayo)
and
Aira Shayne Paculba
Ultrasound-Assisted Synthesis of 2′-Hydroxychalcones and their in situ Conversion to 3-Hydroxyflavones via a Modified One-Pot Tandem Sequential Approach
(Aira Shayne Paculba, Evelyn C. Creencia, D.Sc.)
Engineering Sciences and Technology Cluster
Professional Category
1st Prize (P20,000) Ephraim E. Ibarra
Utilization of Gold Mining Wastes in Ceramic Artware Production
(Ephraim E. Ibarra, Florie Joy Doña, Metzmalou Fuentevilla, and Myla Jane Andrade)
2nd Prize (P15,000) Lori-ann S. Intong-Cabalo
Controlled Permeability and Strength of Red Firing Clay Ceramic Filter Tempered with Iron Rich Oxide Material and Treated Mine Waste
(Lori-ann S. Intong-Cabalo, Ephraim E. Ibarra)
Graduate Category (None)
Undergraduate Category
1st Prize (P10,000) Reah Mae M. Ramos
Fabrication of Ceramic Diffuser for Subsurface Irrigation Application
(Reah Mae M. Ramos, Ephraim E. Ibarra)
2nd Prize (P5,000) Ralph Reynald B. Villaflores
Automated Poultry House: An Implementation of Traditional Knowledge in Raising Native Chicken Using Microcontroller
(Ralph Reynald B. Villaflores, Gerbe R. Baguinbin, George S. Mejos, Ernesto E. Empig, Joel I. Miano)
Social Sciences and Business Cluster
Professional Category
1st Prize (P20,000) Sittie Akima A. Ali
The Journey of Child Soldiers and Their Path in Returning Home
(Sittie Akima A. Ali, David N. Almarez, Ajree D. Malawani, Princess Mae S. Chua, Primitivo III C. Ragandang)
2nd Prize (P15,000) Geraldine P. Go
Examining the Role of Organizational Justice and Teaching Emotions in the Development of Teaching Commitment
(Geraldine P. Go, Imelu G. Mordeno, Jimayma D. Bigcas, Cristine F. Baliton, and Samimah R. Taurac)
Graduate Category
1st Prize (P15,000) Maria Theresa G. Tadena
Integration of the Developed Local-Based Lessons on Environmental Education to Selected Topics in Biology: Effects on the Performance of Grade 8 Learners
(Maria Theresa G. Tadena, Monera Salic-Hairulla)
2nd Prize (P10,000) Gabriel C. Engcong
On the Gender Pay Gap in the Philippines and the Occupational Placement and Educational Attainment Levels of Men and Women in the Labor Force
(Gabriel C. Engcong, Daisy Lou Lim-Polestico, Ph.D., Nicky C. Yungco and John Alfred M. Liwanag)
Undergraduate Category
1st Prize (10,000) Dian M. Silacan
Examining the Latent Factor Structure on Teacher’s Reluctance in Implementing K to 12 Curriculum Program
(Dian M. Silacan, Justine Israel M. Talasan , Sonny Boy O Gabule II, Rizalina G. Gomez and Imelu G. Mordeno)
Health and Health-Related Researches
Professional Category
1st Prize (P20,000) Randy Caga-anan
Optimal Control Theory in Analyzing the Possible Impacts of Dengvaxia and Other Dengue Intervention Strategies
(Randy Caga-anan, Michelle N. Raza)
2nd Prize (P15,000) Fesanmie D. Amarillo
A Study of Psychological Hardiness and Resilience among the First Year Students of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology
(Fesanmie D. Amarillo, Jian Loygin C. Ahito, Raima G. Sangcopan)
Graduate Category (None)
Undergraduate Category
1st Prize (P10,000) Shaira Mae L. Eltanal
HIV AIDS Infotech (HAIT): Its role in Education and Diagnosis
(Shaira Mae L. Eltanal, Patricia Nicole A. Endangan, Cathrene Mae R. Lampara, Clowe D. Jondonero, Jerick Carlo Almeda)
2nd Prize (P5,000) Mylet C. Curilan
Extent of Resilience among First Year Nursing Students: A Basis in Designing a Learning Innovation Tool
(Mylet C. Curilan, Joan Racquel P. Abijay, Francis Anne M. Cantero, Neil M. Martin)