The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), through its Research Directorate, hosted the 2025 MMSU Undergraduate Research Excellence Awards (UREA) on July 1, 2025, at the NBERIC Auditorium Hall, recognizing the most outstanding research by undergraduate students of the university.
A total of 18 entries from various colleges were presented and competed in three categories: Physical Sciences, Engineering and Information Technology (6 entries); Life and Health Sciences (5 entries); and Social Sciences, Education, Humanities, Culture, and the Arts (7 entries).
In the Physical Sciences, Engineering and Information Technology category, the first place was awarded to “SANGGA: An innovative flood door barrier for enhancing protection of flood-prone residential areas along the Bislak River in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte” by John Lloyd V. Balantac, Natasha Mary R. Inocente, Cristina M. Quinto, and Ashen Carl I. Syquico, under the mentorship of Engr. Mark Kevin Cardona from the College of Engineering (COE). The second place was given to “Enhancing public transportation efficiency through a GPS-based tracking” by Jared Jeffrey V. Agruda, Abija Mcguiller B. Barruga, Mark Neilsen B. Paguirigan, and Bryan Jesus B. Mangapit, under the guidance of Prof. Wilben Christie Pagtaconan of the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CCIS). Third place went to “Development of pH-sensitive bio-film indicator infused with cellulose extracted from katmon and anthocyanin extract from bignay” by Marc Edson E. Puzon, mentored by Prof. Sonio A. Sabejon II of the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development (CAFSD).
In the Life and Health Sciences category, the research “Comparative analysis of the antihypertensive activity of MMSU black garlic (Allium sativum L.) and Ilocos White garlic variety (Allium sativum L.) ethanolic extracts on DOCA salt-induced hypertensive rats” emerged as the lone winner. The research was conducted by Nisha Jean Bali, Steve King L. Agnir, Edmar Berwin S. Alcarion, and Gill Adrian Tabanda under the guidance of Ma. Danica L. Ramil of the College of Health Sciences (CHS).
Meanwhile, in the Social Sciences, Education, Humanities, Culture, and the Arts category, the team of John Simon C. Santiago, Yoshilyn Fujitani, Floren Magulod, and Nicole Agno received the top award for their study “Text and sentiment analysis of MMSU faculty evaluation students’ feedback,” also mentored by Prof. Wilben Christie Pagtaconan of CCIS.
In the latter categories, only one entry was awarded in each category after meeting the minimum required score of 85%, as indicated in the competition guidelines.
Meanwhile, in his welcome remarks, Dr. Aris Reynold V. Cajigal, Vice President for Academic Affairs, emphasized that the event highlights the university’s commitment to integrating research and instruction. “It is a platform for our student researchers to practice research dissemination—an essential step in protecting ideas and preparing for national or international presentations and publications,” he said.
Moreover, Dr. Dionisio S. Bucao, Director of the Research Directorate, presented the rationale behind the event. He shared that the university’s long-running thesis competition, originally launched sometime in 2001, has now been renamed as the MMSU Undergraduate Research Excellence Awards. This initiative aims to promote and institutionalize a university-wide culture of scholarly excellence and innovation. The entries are the top student works selected from college-level research colloquia.
Distinguished experts served as evaluators in each category. In Physical Sciences, Engineering, and IT, the panel included Engr. Brian U. Rasco, the DOST-Ilocos Norte provincial director; Dr. Mary Ann U.. Baradi, PhilRice-Batac director; and Engr. Raymart O. Villena, in charge of the NBERIC Renewable Energy, Innovation, and Management Unit. The Life and Health Sciences panel consisted of Dr. Edison C. Riñen, a retired former director of the Philippine Fiber Administration; Dr. Melvin A. Bagot, MMSU College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) dean; and Dr. JunJun C. Pabilin, CVM Clinical Sciences department chair. For the Social Sciences and Humanities, judges were Dr. Marivic M. Alimbuyuguen, retired former dean of CAS; Ms. Hazel Queen Sambo-Lanuza, MMSU Institutional Planning chief; and Dr. Sherlyn B. Nicolas, MMSU Monitoring and Evaluation chief.
