The Philippine Society for Microbiology (PSM) bestowed the PSM Service Award to the university for its active involvement in bringing the concept of microbiology not only to students, partner institutions, and stakeholders, but also to the community.

The award was given during the 43rd PSM Annual Convention held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City in May. The group’s Northern Luzon chapter is based at MMSU.

The university was the only institution in the country recognized by this scientific organization whose members come from various regions in the country. Members from MMSU are faculty members of the CAS Department of Biology who, in various capacities, have contributed in the realization of its goals and objectives.  

The PSM convention’s theme, “Economic opportunities in biotechnology and microbial entrepreneurship”, gathered scientists and experts in their respective fields to share their insights on what it means to be entrepreneurs. Experts from all over the world were invited to share their researches and their potential applications in industry. The convention also featured the most recent breakthroughs of microbiologists and biotechnologists alike.

Highlights of the convention were plenary lectures and exhibits of research posters in the areas of microbiology and biotechnology which represented the different divisions of PSM such as basic microbiology, food microbiology, agricultural microbiology, microbiology education, veterinary microbiology, aquatic microbiology, medical microbiology, environmental microbiology, and industrial microbiology.

During the convention, Dr. Doreen D. Domingo presented her paper, “Molecular characterization of double-stranded RNA from select isolates of Rhizoctonia solani and modeling of target proteins to human pathogenic fungi” while  Dr. Prima Fe R. Franco presented a poster on  microbial  products developed from sweet sorghum Sorghum bicolor (L. Moench).