The UP Visayas College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (UPV-CFOS) Seaweed Research Group, in collaboration with the Seaweed Base for International Science and Technology Cooperation (SBIS&TC) – China, conducted an Undergraduate Research Symposium last May 27, 2022 at the Umali Hall Conference Room, UPV, Miagao, Iloilo.
The Undergraduate Research Symposium was aimed to showcase CFOS’s undergraduate student’s research output to their peers and panelists, which is tied to their Fish 200 (Undergraduate Thesis) Course Learning Outcomes.
Prof. Encarnacion Emilia Yap, CFOS Dean and Project Leader of the Seaweed Research Group, expressed her appreciation to the efforts of the 11 undergraduate students and mentors who conducted hands-on research activities since the gradual reopening of CFOS laboratory facilities last March 1, 2022.
The thesis presenters were comprised of six students from the Institute of Aquaculture (IA) mentored by Asst. Prof. Dr. Iris Ann Borlongan, four from the Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology (IMFO) mentored by Ms. Jonalyn Mateo, and one from the Institute of Fish Processing Technology (IFPT) under the guidance of Mr. Leonilo Endoma, Jr.
Project researchers from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), namely Ms. Christine Marie Lazaro, Ms. Denise Miranda, and Mr. Karl Tenizo served as panelists/ evaluators during the event.
Ms. Yessamin Lebaquin (IMFO) and Mr. Reymark Busalla (IA) were hailed as best thesis presenters. Lebaquin presented remarkable output from her thesis titled, “Carrageenan qualities of different farmed Kappaphycus spp. variants in San Dionisio, Iloilo,” while Busalla presented his thesis on the “Effect of distillery spent wash on growth and biochemical attributes of Kappaphycus striatus (Solieriaceae, Rhodophyta).”
The UPV CFOS Seaweed Research Group was pleased with the students’ research output and presentation, hoping to generate more seaweed enthusiasts in the near future. (Mr. Leonilo Endoma, Jr.