The University of the Philippines 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, organized an Undergraduate Research Symposium last June 7, 2023, at the Umali Hall Conference Room, UPV, Miagao, Iloilo.
The Undergraduate Research Symposium aimed to showcase CFOS' undergraduate students' research output to their peers and panelists. This activity was tied to their Fish 200 (Undergraduate Thesis) Course Learning Outcomes, where they demonstrated the ability to apply the scientific methods learned and research skills acquired from the different courses taken, as well as to contribute new knowledge in the field of fisheries and aquatic sciences.
Prof. Encarnacion Emilia S. Yap, CFOS Dean, expressed her appreciation of the efforts of the undergraduate students and mentors who conducted research activities on seaweeds and fish protein hydrolysates. Dean Yap also encouraged students to actively participate in the upcoming International Conference on Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (ICFAS) this October 2023 and the International Fisheries Symposium on November 2023.
The thesis presenters comprised five students from the Institute of Aquaculture (IA) mentored by Asst. Prof. Dr. Iris Ann G. Borlongan, two students from the Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology (IMFO) with Asst. Prof. Jonalyn P. Mateo as adviser, and, four students from the Institute of Fish Processing Technology (IFPT) under the supervision of Asst. Prof. Leonilo F. Endoma, Jr.
The thesis panelists/ evaluators were Ms. Gency L. Guirhem (IMFO University Research Associate) and Asst. Prof. Dr. Cherry P. Añasco (IA Faculty and Institute Coordinator for Instruction and Academic Concerns). IFPT-implemented Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) project researchers namely Mr. Raymund B. Parcon and Ms. Karie Mae D. Tolones, also served as thesis panelists/ evaluators.
The UPV-CFOS Seaweed Research Group and invited panelists were pleased with the students' output and presentation. Ms. Leannah Andrea C. Toroy, Gyll Anne Marie L. Moquera, and Mr. Reyland A. Alegroso were hailed as best thesis presenters.
Alegroso was commended on his undergraduate thesis, “Impacts of combined temperature and salinity levels on the nutrient uptake of Gracilariopsis heteroclada Zhang et Xia 1991 (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta).” As runner-up, Moquera presented her thesis on “Survival and direct axes formation of Eucheuma denticulatum (Rhodophyta) in tissue culture under ambient condition.” And finally, Toroy impressed the panelists on her study, "Efficacy of seaweed liquid extract from Ulva spp. in improving growth and chlorophyll-a of Eucheuma denticulatum in tissue culture."
To encourage more students to do seaweed research, the team also invited incoming 3rd year students in preparation for their undergraduate thesis.
