UP students dominate BPI-DOST science awards

MANILA, Philippines — Two University of the Philippines-Diliman students won top prizes in the 29th BPI-DOST Science Awards of the Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation and the Department of Science and Technology 2018.

Nicole Rose Alberto won the Best Science Project of the Year, as well as being one of two winners of Best in Innovations Award for her research, “Identification of molecular biomarkers for the detection and management of fatal shrimppathogen,” which successfully analyzed the molecular cause behind acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease outbreaks in shrimps that significantly decreased local production since 2011.

Alberto, 20, is a graduating student taking up BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.

Peter Nicholas Onglao, 22, a graduating BS Chemical Engineering student, was the other winner of the Best in Innovations Award for his research on the use of chitosan-coated silica nanostructures from waste rice husk for capturing carbon dioxide.

Alberto and Onglao are among 10 college student awardees of the 29th BPI-DOST Science Awards for pioneering sustainability research projects.

The awards emphasized the theme “forming a sustainable country through science and innovation.” Participating students devised research and technology that would help prepare the Philippines become future-proof or resilient to calamities, social vulnerability, and economic crises.

The eight other awardees were Ma. Cathrene Lagare, Ateneo de Davao University; Aliena Mari Miranda, Ateneo de Manila University; Gabriela Ilona Janairo and Janne Pauline Ngo, De La Salle University; Arianne Justine Obeles and Josh Christian Protacio, University of the Philippines – Manila; John Cristopher Danez, University of the Philippines-Los Baños; and Mary Diane Pilapil, University of San Carlos.

Onglao’s research entitled “Chitosan-coated silica nanostructures from waste rice husk for carbondioxide capture” provided an alternative and more sustainable solution in mitigating carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 

“We invest in our young scientists because we see their potential in creating a resonating impact to our community,” said Maricris San Diego, executive director of BPI Foundation. “Through the BPI-DOST Science Awards, we hope to give them a headstart in turning their researches into viable and replicable businesses which, in the bigger picture, can ultimately contribute in our development as a sustainable country.”