The Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation, in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology, has wrapped up another season of the BPI-DOST Science Awards last April 5, 2016 at The Mind Museum in Taguig City. Themed “Engineering our Future through Environmental Sustainability,” this year’s Science Awards recognized the 30 best research projects undertaken by students from the foundation’s 11 partner universities.
The projects all revolved around the discovery and use of sustainable materials, solutions for agriculture, disaster mitigation, health, technology, and the like.
Going home with the Best Project of the Year Award was Jerome Alan Japitana, a BS Chemistry student from the University of Santo Tomas, with his study entitled “Using Non-Precious Materials in the Development of a Cost-Effective Cathode Catalyst for Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells.” The project—which studies cobalt use in improving fuel cell efficiency for a more sustainable and eco-friendly energy source— also notched Japitana the Best in Basic Research Award.
Meanwhile, the Best in Applied Research Award went to Ateneo de Davao University BS Biology student Joselv Albano for his study “Molecular Detection and Expression of merA and Mercury Reduction by Pseudomonas putida.” It delved into the ability of the mercury-reducing bacteria in the bioremediation of contaminated areas.
Now on its 27th year, the BPI-DOST Science Awards has recognized more than 800 outstanding young scientists throughout the country. All finalists received cash awards along with a Technopreneurship Workshop headed by Hybridigm CEO Maoi Arroyo. BPI Foundation will also be holding university-based award ceremonies for the students to be locally recognized for their achievements and contributions to nation-building.
Visit http://scienceawards2016.bpifoundation.org/ for more information on the participants and their studies.
In photo above: The 2016 batch of BPI-DOST Science Awardees with Ramon Jocson, BPI executive vice president; Dr. Josette Biyo, DOST Science Education Institute director; and Faye Corcuera, BPI Foundation executive director.