The Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recognized the exceptional research efforts of three XU students in the fields of chemistry, biology and agriculture at the annual BPI-DOST Science Awards.
Rick Arneil Arancon, 4th year BS Chemistry, was awarded for his research on the Synthesis of Corncob Derived Solid Acid Catalyst for Biodiesel Conversion of Waste Cooking Oils. The study presented the use of solid acid from corncob as a catalyst that can efficiently convert waste cooking oil into biodiesel.
“Waste cooking oil is generated in large volumes everyday,” said Arancon. “If we convert that into biodiesel, it can be a cheap source of fuel.”
Kristy Xue Mei Kwong, BS Biology-4, probed the Isolation and Characterization of Pink-Pigmented Facultatively Methylotropic (PPFM) Bacteria from Vehicular Exhaust Pipes. PPFM bacteria contain bioindicative and bioremediative properties that can help detoxify pollutants.
“I hope to help mitigate air pollution through my study,” Kwong shared.
For her part, 4th year Crop Science major Anna Marie Hallasgo worked on Assessing the Ammonia Burn of Tomato Plant as a Bioassay in Determining the Ammonia Emission from Chicken as Affected by Different Levels of Lactic Acid Bacteria.
Chicken dung is an important fertilizer in agriculture because it is a natural source of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. However, its high ammonia content produces a pungent odor that can be hazardous to animals and humans. Hallasgo’s research sought to find a solution to this problem by using locally-produced and environment-friendly materials.
“The study showed the importance of using indigenous materials in addressing large-scale problems [of chicken growers],” said Hallasgo.
BPI Senior Vice President Emmanuel G Herbosa, DOST Regional Director Alfonso Alamban and University President Fr Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ together with university vice presidents and college deans presented the award during the ceremony on February 23 at XU’s Audio Visual Room 1.
Apart from the plaque, Arancon, Kwong and Hallasgo each received a cash prize of P25,000 and an offer to become a junior officer at BPI. The awardees’ names were also inscribed in a marker, which was unveiled during the awarding ceremony, containing the names of BPI-DOST Science Awardees from XU since 1990.
The BPI-DOST Science Awards gives recognition to the top three senior students in select universities in the country for their potential contribution to industry and nation building through exceptional and innovative researches in specialized fields of science.