THE PAPER “MMSU hydrous bioethanol I: Production, characterization, and testing” bagged the first place award in the best research paper category during ILARRDEC’s 23rd Regional Symposium on R&D Highlights held recently at the Regional Education and Learning Center, City of San Fernando, La Union.  Three MMSU papers, likewise, landed in the top three spots in the different categories during the symposium. 

The hydrous bioethanol paper authored by Dr. Shirley  Agrupis, Dr. Roque Ulep, Engr. Nathaniel Mateo, Engr. Romaric  Ascaño, Ms. Ma. Concepcion Birginias, Ms. Magdalena Valencia, Mr. Mario Remolacio, Dr. Fiorello Abenes, Dr. Marilou  Lucas, and Dr. Heraldo Layaoen bested 16 others that were presented in the research category.  Placing second was another MMSU paper, “Agro-morphological profile of traditional upland rices in Ilocos Norte” by Ms. Menisa Antonio, Ms. Araceli Badar, For. Dionisio Jamias, Ms. Illuminada Dumaoal, Dr. Dionisio Bucao, Dr. Epifania Agustin, and Ms. Mary Anne Gorospe.  Meanwhile, the paper “MMSU FoodSend Program: A model for women empowerment through entrepreneurial development” by Dr. Marivic Alimbuyuguen, Ms. Fausta Gaño, and Ms. Bella Gervacio placed second in the development category. The undergraduate thesis entitled “Bioremediation performance of mani-mani (Arachis pintoi) under greenhouse condition by Cheryll Joy Villanueva, a BS Biology graduate, with Prof. Flordeliz Estira as adviser won third place in the undergraduate thesis competition.

This year, MMSU’s entries to the symposium totaled to 15, 13 of which were orally presented including the two undergraduate theses while only two were presented in poster form.  It can be noted that MMSU’s entries for paper presentation increased this year. This was because papers qualified for the regional symposium which were earlier evaluated during the commodity reviews were mostly recommended for oral presentation. (Lea C. Agbigay)