By Chessa Pae N. Faustino

Affirming Mariano Marcos State University’s stature as the center for idea generation and research in the region, student-researchers from the College of Health Sciences won big in the Oral Research Presentation Competition during a research conference of the Region 1 Health Research and Development Consortium (R1HRDC) held virtually on June 24.

Three groups of senior pharmacy students bagged the three highest awards during the contest, having successfully developed and implemented health studies which are in line with the national health agenda.

The conference was themed, “People Centered Health Research Toward National Recovery and Resiliency.”

Landing in the first place was the group of principal investigator Geraldine Joy G. Corpuz, who studied “Brine Shrimp Toxicity and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Psychotria luzoniensis Leaf Methanol Crude Extract and its n- Hexane and Aqueous Enriched Fractions.” This research determined the ability of the tagpong-gubat, tagpo plant in reducing inflammation. Other members of the group include Melvin Jay N. Santiago, Aloha Guia S. Baquel, Abigael B. Ramil, Neslie Lou D. Sobrepeña, and Diane Rose T. Tomogbong. Prof. Ma Danica Ines-Ramil served as their adviser.

Second-place winner Norianne S. Bolibol studied the formulation and evaluation of an antibacterial bar soap, made of oregano, lemongrass, and karimbuaya. Her group members include Marianne Lorrainne C. Agcaoili, Neslie Jane S. Ebreo, Charmaine Joy M. Pagdilao, and Sheena Lei A. Saladino. Prof. Angelica May Mendoza served as their adviser.

A study on the anti-inflammatory activity of the crude extract and solvent fractions of bilagot leaves also positioned Lyzandra Vali C. Dumlao in the third spot. The research was conducted together with Joelynn Aira C. Calingangan, Jake Rome Vember G. Cardenas, Alliah Gail Marie G. Macadangdang, and Melquizedek M. Salem, with Prof. Julie Ann Gattoc who served as their adviser.

A pre-qualifying round done by the R1HRDC screened the participants for the final round of oral research presentation.

R1HRDC links together health researchers and institutions to facilitate activities attuned to local and regional health needs. It aims to strengthen health research capabilities, and encourage resource sharing among institutions in the Ilocos Region. Member institutions include hospitals, public and private schools, and regional offices. (JVBT/HLY,StratCom)