The Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) successfully conducted its first Multidisciplinary Research Congress for Undergraduate and Graduate School Students on June 3-4, 2024, at the SPAMAST Auditorium. The event was facilitated by the Office of Research Development and Innovation, led by its Director, Dr. Grace D. Buencillo.
The undergraduate research competition was divided into three thematic areas: Agriculture, Aquatic, Natural Resources, and Resilience (AANR); Technology (Precision Agriculture/Automation/Programming); and Social, Cultural Development, Health, and Wellness. The congress also featured presentations on policy briefs and poster presentations. Graduate students competed in categories for Master in Business Administration, Master of Arts in Education and Master of Science in Fisheries.
Undergraduate Category Winners:
Thematic Area: Agriculture, Aquatic, Natural Resources, and Resilience (AANR)
- First Place: Jessabel Calnantoc and Mariel Tayogtog with their research on “Seagrass Community Structure and Vulnerability in Barrio Bukid, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.”
- Second Place: Ruby Mae C. Yting and Mary Grace Yting for their study on “Quality Evaluation and Acceptability of Fish Soup Powder using Milkfish Bones.”
- Third Place: Gene Patrish Cabalquinto and Shiena Mae Martina for their research on “Taxonomic Classification and Antibacterial Activity of Dilenia philippinensis against Escherichia coli.”
Thematic Area: Social, Cultural Development, Health, and Wellness
- First Place: John David Condinato with his research on “Social, Cultural Development and Health and Wellness.”
- Second Place: Jessa Barase and Myka Kristie Mendoza for their study on “Plights of Student-Parents in SPAMAST.”
- Third Place: Christian James Maruya for his research titled “Unveiling the Mediating Role of Leadership Skills in the Link between Cultural Intelligence and Conflict Management Styles of Lupong Tagapamayapa.”
Thematic Area: Technology (Precision Agriculture/Automation/Programming)
- First Place: Ronnie A. Sarmiento Jr. for his study “Classification of Maturity Indices of Cardava (Musa accuminata X Musa balbasiana) using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN).”
Policy Brief Winners
- First Place: Jalie Rose Danwata and Kate Trisha Mae Ibañez for their study “Assessing Women’s Participation in Small Scale Fisheries in Selected Coastal Communities of Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental.”
- Second Place: Hazel Samonteza and May Allaine Mamada for their research “Enhancing Efficiency of Milkfish Fish Pen Farming in Davao Occidental.”
- Third Place: Jouel S. Estancia and George Waren Logayal for their study “Executive Order No. 26 or the Nationwide Smoking Ban Order: Awareness and Compliance Level of Malitaneos.”
Poster Presentation Winners
- First Place: Joahra May Cañete and Sherlyn P. Puno for their study “Growth Performance of Salt Uno: Molobicus Tilapia Strain (Oreochromis niloticus x Oreochromis mossambicus) at Varying Salinity Levels in Controlled Condition.”
- Second Place: Rommel Osabel and Princess Domingo for their research “Cytotoxicity Assessment and Bioactive Compounds Screening in the Right-Wing of Musca Domestica (Housefly).”
- Third Place: Ruby Mae C. Yting and Mary Grace Yting for their study “Quality Evaluation and Acceptability of Fish Soup Powder using Milkfish Bones.”
The successful conclusion of the first Multidisciplinary Research Congress at SPAMAST underscores the exceptional dedication and intellectual rigor of its students. Addressing critical thematic areas such as agriculture, technology, and social development, these research initiatives demonstrate significant academic prowess and contribute valuable insights poised to drive future innovation and community resilience.
