THIRTY outstanding college students who developed scientific researches and innovations received awards at the 30th BPI-DOST Science Awards from the BPI Foundation and the Department of Science and Technology.
This year’s awards focused on the theme “Moving the Nation toward Sustainable Development through Science and Innovation.”
The BPI-DOST Science Awards invited students from all over the country to contribute researches and innovations supporting global sustainable development goals.
Based on their academic performance, commitment to research, research problem, application and relevance, and scientific-technical soundness, the award shortlisted 30 students to receive P10,000 and a medal.
It identified the top 10 most promising entries to receive an additional P15,000 and a certificate. Two were named “Best in Innovation” and received an additional P20,000 and a trophy.
The Project of the Year Award was awarded with an additional P25,000 and a trophy.
The two-day celebration featured a workshop from Prof. Matthew Escobido of the Master of Science in Innovation and Business program at the Asian Institute of Management.
There were also talks from Outstanding Science Alumni Awardees Dr. Leopold Ilag from Stockholm University, Dr. Luis Sison from DOST-University of the Philippines Enterprise Center for Technopreneurship, and Engr. Maria Leah Flor de Castro from Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU).
“Through these awards, we hope to inspire more Filipino students to pursue scientific researches and innovations that contribute to building a stronger and more sustainable future for all of us,” said Maricris San Diego, executive director of BPI Foundation. “We believe that scientific advancements that start from addressing local realities and concerns have amazing potential to make an impact globally and uplift the human condition.”
Here is the list of awardees:
Project of the Year:
Jay Patrick Nieles, BS Electronics Engineering, the University of Santo Tomas (UST), has an innovation that helps locked-in syndrome (LIS) patients communicate through a brain-computer typing interface that uses visual imagination of shapes and symbols.
Best in Innovation:
1. Jay Patrick Nieles, BS Electronics Engineering, UST, his innovation helps locked-in syndrome patients.
2. Christian Badua, BS Biology, UP Manila, investigated how probiotics, specifically lactic acid bacteria, can be used in the treatment of colorectal cancer, one of the top causes of mortality in the Philippines.
People’s Choice Award:
Jaime Gabriel Trazo, BS Chemistry, Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), studied how agricultural by-products can be harnessed in making printed electronic applications as components for technological devices.
Top 10:
1. Alex Retona, BS Electrical and Communications Engineering, AdMU, designed a speech-assistive system integrated into Android devices for individuals who are suffering from incomplete locked-in syndrome. These are speech-impaired and completely paralyzed, often as a result of stroke, but still have limited movements, such as finger gestures and blinking.
2. Chester Tantoco, BS Engineering, UP Los Baños (UPLB), pursued the development of bioplastics from common agricultural residues, particularly from corn stover.
3. Christian Badua, BS Biology, UP Manila, investigated how probiotics, specifically lactic acid bacteria, for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
4. Dewey Sia, BS Computer Science, AdDU, investigated how computers can improve their capabilities for visual speech communication for better accessibility, especially for the deaf and mute.
5. Ryan Suplito, BS Engineering, UPLB, studied how sugarcane bagasse can be used as an alternative to petroleum-based plastics.
6. Jay Patrick Nieles, BS Electronics Engineering, UST, has an innovation that helps LIS patients.
7. Jeremie Pearl Cruz, BS Chemistry, UP Diliman, sought to understand how computer-aided drug design can expedite drug discovery and development, which often takes many years.
8. Jody Adriene Dong-E, BS Information Technology, St. Louis University (SLU) Baguio, developed kaagapAI, an automated text analysis tool that leverages machine learning and natural language processing to get behavioral trends and insights from mental-health therapy documents.
9. Marc Anthony Reyes, BS Computer Science, Xavier University in Ateneo de Cagayan, his PalayLab mobile app leveraged deep learning and convolutional neural networks to supplement pest and disease management techniques of rice farmers.
10. Marvin Serge, BS Computer Science, Xavier University in Ateneo de Cagayan, developed Atom, a chatbot using natural language processing engine Dialog flow that can be incorporated in many instant messaging platforms to aid people suffering from depression.
Other inspiring student researches:
1. Jephany Aragon, BS Biology, SLU in Baguio, explored how water pollution and scarcity can be addressed by the use of Moringa oleifera and acacia concinna barks for wastewater treatment.
2. Teody Gumabat, BS Chemistry, MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, researched how zinc ferrite nanoparticles can be an alternative to antibiotics, in light of the rise of drug-resistant bacteria.
3. Sean Lemuel Santos, BS Biology Genetics, UPLB, used DNA barcoding to understand how onion army worms, which have been the scourge of onion farmers in the Philippines, can be effectively monitored and managed.
4. Carmela de la Cruz, BS Biochemistry, UP Manila, used organic and analytical chemistry to develop a sensor for aldehydes and help manage indoor air pollution.
5. Rich Laurence Inting, BS Environmental Science, AdDU, investigated how the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed can be a new water source for Davao City by 2021.
6. Ed Ivan Bardoquillo, BS Chemistry, AdDU, explored how a substance in nail polish removers can be used as a catalyst for the chemical recycling of plastic waste.
7. Lloyd Alvin Caumban, BS Computer Science, Xavier University, Ateneo de Cagayan, sought to understand the use of microalgae in sequestration of wastewater nutrients.
8. Jodivine Navaros, BS Environmental Science, University of San Carlos (USC), researched how a native bamboo species can help address the severe pollution in Cebu’s Butuanon River.
9. Denxybel Montinola, Bachelor in Science in Applied Physics, USC, explored how biomaterials from abundant resources like mango peels and seaweeds can be used to create bioplastics and tissue scaffolds.
10. Kurt Bryant Bacharo, BS Marine Biology, USC, focused on the species identification and sustainable utilization of black corals, which are being overharvested globally, in fisheries management.
11. Jaime Garbriel, BS Chemistry, AdMU, studied how agricultural by-products can be harnessed in making printed electronic applications as components for technological devices.
12. Marielle Go, BS Biology, UST, developed a diagnostic method for the deadly tilapia virus plaguing the fishing industry.
13. Hazel Anne Pullan, BS Chemical Engineering, UST, studied how rice straw, which is often burned by farmers and contributes to air pollution, can be burned without oxygen into biochar, used as absorbent for carbon dioxide capture, and made into filler for biodegradable plant grow bags.
14. Nina Therese Flores, BS Biology, AdMU, explored how fungi using moringa oleifera wood as scaffold can be used to remove heavy metals like lead, which are detrimental to human health, from various environments.
15. Jomari Tan, BS Civil Engineering, DLSU, studied how expansive soils, which often lead to cracks on the ground and weaken various properties and other urban infrastructures, can be addressed in a more affordable and sustainable manner by using recycled gypsum combined with rice husk ash.
16. Paula Tse Wing, BS Statistics Major in Actuarial Science, DLSU, constructed a spatial model to understand poverty using non-income indicators, such as the geographical location of households, displacement due to armed conflict or natural disasters, and availment of government services, to find more efficient poverty-reduction strategies.
17. Jaron Nicolas Uy, BS Chemical Engineering, UP Diliman, studied the repurposing of waste plastic sachets into ecofill that can be added to anticorrosion coatings to prevent the further production of plastic.
18. Cyril Paolo Quitevis, BS Electronics and Communications Engineering, UP Diliman, developed more affordable and reliable communication devices that can be used during natural disasters.
19. Jess Leal, BS Electrical Engineering, SLU, Baguio City, created an early warning system that monitors and measures rainfall and alerts communities and authorities before landslides occur.
20. Kitz Paul Marco, BS Biochemistry, UP Manila, aimed to discover anti-breast cancer agents from local plants.