By Crisdeniele H. Clemente

MMSU student researchers secured the top places in three of four research categories in the 4th International Undergraduate Research Congress hosted by the Quirino State University on June 6-7.

With the theme “Convergence in Knowledge: Interdisciplinary Perspectives for a Sustainable Future,” the event aimed to prepare student researchers for productive scientific endeavors and collaborations with research professionals from universities in the Philippines and abroad.

Camille Rafal, a fourth-year BS Meteorology student, won Best Abstract and Best Presenter in the Natural Sciences category. Ms. Rafal's research focused on the “Investigation of Urban Heat Island Intensity in Northern Luzon, Philippines, Using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model.” Her thesis adviser is Prof. Erwin Molina.

Meanwhile, Juliane Jireh Navarro, a fourth-year BA Sociology student, bagged the best abstract title under the Arts, Communication, and Social Sciences category with her research on "The Veils of Faith: Exploring the Familial Dynamics among Muslim Wives in Polygamous and Monogamous Marriages in Laoag City.” Her thesis adviser is Prof. Weena Franco.

Under the Business, Economics, and Accountancy category, fourth-year Marketing Management (MM) students won the best abstract with their research on “Servicescape Strategies for Homestay Accommodations in the Municipality of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.” These are Justinne Kyle Asuncion; Carlos Owen Belleza; Jolyn Mei Cabuyadao; Chynah Aleezah Constantino; Marionne Faye B. Hernando; Franchaisen Malto; Vernulf Marcial Puyaoan; and Janessa Jane Taroma. Their thesis adviser is Dr. Jeffrey De Vera.

Another group of MM students garnered the third-best abstract title for their research on “Environmental Practices, Perceived Benefits, and Challenges in Implementing Environmental Practices of Micro Furniture Enterprises in Ilocos Norte.” These are Justine Culannay; Christian Paul Abiba; Abegail Asis; Sundy Baluran; Allen Vernon De Guzman; Danielle Anne Nicolas; Joshua Desmond Raphael Pascual; Yvonne Zeta Noezeane Semana; Angelika Nicole Semana; and Arien Paul Valdez. Their thesis adviser is Dr. Mediah Perle F. Layaoen.

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis lauded the student researchers for their accolades. “Their success is a reflection of their hard work, intellectual curiosity, and the high-quality education they receive from the university,” she enthused.

The student researchers were accompanied by Dr. Peter James Icalia Gann, Dr. Karina Damo, Dr. Janet Rivera, and Ms. Joyce Castillo. Dr. Gann also served as one of the plenary speakers during the congress.

Other awards received by MMSU were 4th Best Abstract for the “Characterization and Assessment of Bacteria Isolated from Philippine Carabao (Bubalus kerabau Fitzinger, 1860) & Cow (Bos taurus Linn, 1758) Gastrointestinal Tract toward their selection as Candidate Probiotics” by Kylle Jae Bigsot; 5th Best Abstract for paper on “Risk Communication Vulnerabilities Perceived by Claverianos: A Basis for a Risk Communication Plan” by Dana Meryll Gapas; 5th Best Abstract for the paper presented on “Admission Profiles as Predictors of Academic Performance of BS Mathematics Students” by Lovern Fei Sonajo and May Karylle Arellano; and 7th Best Abstract for the paper on “Enhancing Learning with Reviterm: A Gamified Web Application Powered by the Revisort Algorithm” under the Mathematical, Information, and Computing Sciences stream by Jazzer Ancheta, Mark Angelo Santillan, Vladhimir Montes, and Mark James Agustin.

Student-researchers from four countries participated in the research congress, including Universitas PGRI Madiun Indonesia, Can Tho University Vietnam, Han Chiang University College of Communication Malaysia, and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman Malaysia. Other participating Philippine universities were Camarines Sur Polytechnic College, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, Bulacan Agricultural State College, and Quirino State University.