THE UNIVERSITY once again proved its prowess in the national scientific community as it captured one of the coveted awards in the 37th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) held on July 8-9 at the Manila Hotel.

The research entitled “Delignification and saccharification of sweet sorghum bagasse using the combination of alkaline and fungal treatment” presented in poster form, was adjudged Best Scientific Poster in the Engineering Sciences and Technology category.  The poster, which focused on the development of a protocol for cellulose ethanol production from sweet sorghum bagasse, bested eight other entries in the said category including another one from MMSU.   

Dane Mikhael S. Calica and Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis authored the winning poster.  Now a medicine student at St. Lukes College of Medicine in Quezon City, Calica is a BS Biology summa cum laude graduate and MMSU Class 2013 valedictorian, while Agrupis is a CAS biology professor and an active researcher whose interests include bioethanol production.  

The NAST-ASM is an annual scientific event attended by researchers and scholars from higher education and research institutions. This year, MMSU presented 10 posters in different categories.  (By Lea C. Agbigay)