USM Recognizes Best Papers, Posters at 44th RDE Year-end In-house Review

The University of Southern Mindanao (USM), through the office of the Vice President for Research Development and Extension (VPRDE), conducted its 44th Year-end In-House Review on November 28 to 29, 2024 at the University Commercial Building, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato. 

Eighty-two (82) papers were presented from four different categories. Twenty-six (26) papers were evaluated in the applied research and development, twenty-seven (27) in basic research, seventeen (17) in extension, and twelve (12) in social research category. 

In her opening remarks, Dr. Debbie Marie B. Verzosa, the VPRDE of USM, emphasized that the in-house review is more than a monitoring activity, more than just a competition, it is the university’s goal to exert all efforts to innovate solution for modern challenges. 

“If we are able to implement our projects on time, that is good. If we receive an award then that is an affirmation from our peers, but if our project contributes to the social pressing challenges like food insecurity, climate change, poor educational quality , and the like then that would be an affirmation from society and it will justify all the efforts that we are doing right now,” she underscored.

Eleven (11) experts were invited to evaluate the papers and posters:  Dr. Emma K. Sales, Dr. Elizabeth Malacad, and Dr. Josh Elisha Octura for the Applied Research and Development category; Dr. Naomi G. Tangonan, Dr. Romulo L. Cena, and Dr. Sailila E. Abdula for the Basic Research category; Dr. Samsia Ibrahim, Jerome Bactol, Dr. Roberto A. Cambel Jr., and Dr. Mervin Gascon, and Dr. Lorna G. Valdez for the extension and social research category. 

Dr. Francisco Gil N. Garcia, the USM President graced the activity. In his speech, he highlighted that it is very important to consider the participation, contributions, and queries of farmers so that they will also know the development in terms of RDE in our university. 

He also acknowledged the contribution of RDE in the latest World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), and QS Asia University Rankings South-Eastern Asia rankings that USM has achieved. 

“This is more than just checkpoint, but a celebration of curiosity, collaboration, and relentless pursuit of knowledge. Through research reviews like this, with talented pool of examiners in front of you, we create space to honor our progress, confront our limitations, and envision what lies behind,”  he noted. 

The following are the winning papers and posters in each category: 

Applied Research and Development Category (Paper)

Best Paper
NICER Project 1 – Molecular Fingerprinting of Cacao Parental Recommended HYVs and True Criollo Ensuring Multiplication of Quality Planting Materials (QPMs) for Increased Profitability
Edward A. Barlaan

2nd Best Paper
Zinc Oxide nanoparticles for Seed Priming and Nano Foliar Fertilizer 
Lydia C. Pascual

3rd Best Paper
Biological diagnostic tool for vulnerable agroecosystems: nematode community analysis as an approach to assess sustain
Ma. Teodora N. Cabasan and Bryan Lloyd Bretaña

Applied Research and Development Category (Poster)

Best Poster
Design, Fabrication, Testing, and Evaluation of Soil Bagger Machine

2nd Best Poster
Parallel Pump Connection for Simultaneous Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation

3rd Best Poster
Project 3a: Enhancement of Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubation in USM through RAISE

Basic Research  Category (Paper) 

Best Paper
Comprehensive Assessment of Watershed Dynamics: Evaluating Ecosystem Characteristics, Land Use/Land Cover Changes, Hydrologic Patterns, Soil Erosion Rates, and Conservation Priorities in the Libungan-Alamada Watershed, Philippines 
Jennet R. Mag-aso and Rezin G. Cabantug

2nd Best Paper
Technological Innovation and Value Addition Through Product Diversification of High-Value Crops for Halal Cosmetics and Supplements 
Queennie L. Rufino, Liezl Gray Oria, Marivic D. Candari, Jurhamid C. Imlan, Sandra Joy P. Pahm and Mary Ann B. Rama

3rd Best Paper
Fruit Quality Improvement in ‘Carabao’ Mango Through Identification of Genes for Scab and Stem-end Rot Resistance by Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS)
Edward A. Barlaan and Joan P. Sadoral

Basic Research Category (Poster) 

Best Poster
Comprehensive Assessment of Watershed Dynamics: Evaluating Ecosystem Characteristics, Land Use/Land Cover Changes, Hydrologic Patterns, Soil Erosion Rates, and Conservation Priorities in the Libungan- Alamada Watershed, Philippines 

2nd Best Poster
Technological innovation and value addition through product diversification of high-value crops for halal cosmetics and supplement 

3rd Best Poster
Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from Kamansi (Artocarpus altilis) and Coconut
(Cocos nucifera) Leaf Extracts 

Extension Category (Paper) 

Best Paper

Capability Building of Rubber Stakeholders and Role of Women and their Children Natural Rubber Industry in Agusan del Sur and North Cotabato 
Mary Rodelyn Cariaga

2 nd Best Paper
CBDEM Delicacies: Capacity Building, Demo & Enterprise Development of Maguindanaon Delicacies
Roy B. Gacus, Francisco Gil N. Garcia, Esmaira G. Gunsayan, April Geraldine M. Quinonero, Analyn A. Gonzales & Irving T. Fajarito, Jr.

3rd Best Paper
BIO-NIHAN Para sa Kalikasan: Promoting Holistic Biodiversity Conservation Through Community Partnership
Bryan Lloyd P. Bretana, Cromwel M. Jumao-as, Cherie Cano-Mangaoang, & Florence Roy P. Salvana

Extension Category (Poster)

Best Poster
Promoting Resilient Organic OPV Corn Seed Production for Enhanced Economic Development and Sustainability PROSEEDS 

2nd Best Poster
CBDEM Delicacies: Capacity Building, Demo & Enterprise Development

Social Research Category (Paper)

Best Paper Project Title: PCC’s Dairy Box and Family Module: Success Stories, Challenges and Ways Forward 
Glyn B. Gabano-Magbanua, Estella B. Barbosa, Marlyn A. Resurreccion & Anamarie B. Uyangurin

2nd Best Paper
Assessment of Socioeconomic Status of Communities in the Liguasan Marsh in Cotabato Province 
Francisco Gil N. Garcia and Romiel John P. Basan

3rd Best Paper
Mapping the Future Plate: Evaluating the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Meso-Level Food Security (MFS) of Cotabato Province in Changing Climate
Romiel John P. Basan

Social Research Category (Poster) 

Best Poster
Impact of PCC’s Sustainable Livelihood Program Among Household Beneficiaries in Mindanao, Philippines 

2nd Best Poster
Mapping the Future Plate: Evaluating the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Meso-Level Food Security (MFS) of Cotabato Province in Changing Climate 

3rd Best Poster
Proposed GAD Integration Framework

This year’s RDE Year-end In-house review was themed: “USM-RDE: Innovating Solutions for Modern Challenges”.