Sixty-six research papers were evaluated during the 2018 Agency In-House Research Review conducted by the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) through its Research Directorate (RD). This number comprised of studies along two sectors presented in separate sessions - the Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, Natural Resources, Environment and Engineering (AFFNREE) and the Social Sciences, Education, Health and related fields, held on July 17-19 and 24-25, respectively, at the Crops Research Laboratory-One Stop Information Shop.
In the AFFNREE sector, 44 research studies were presented while 19 in the Social Sciences. Forty-one from the former sector were recommended to be presented in external reviews and conferences including in the different commodity reviews of the Ilocos Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development Consortium, while 12 from the latter.
Meanwhile, to recognize the efforts of researchers in the preparation of quality research reports and for presenting them orally, the Best Research Paper and the Best Presenter were selected in both sectors. Ms. Kristian Gaye D. Beltran, a faculty of the Pharmacy Department of the College of Health Sciences got both of the awards in the AFFNREE sector. She presented her study entitled “Phytochemical, physicochemical and pre-formulation of garlic as food supplement and cosmetic” which she co-authored with Ms. Annabelle B. Alejo, also a faculty from the same department. In the social science sector, on the other hand, Dr. Dionisio S. Bucao Supervising Program Specialist of the RD also received the same awards. He presented the paper, “Sustaining Crop Productivity in climate vulnerable areas in Ilocos Norte through STCBF on climate-resilient production technologies” co-authored by Ms. Mercy Fausta R. Gaño, Dr. Sherlyn B. Nicolas, Dr. Sosima R. Demandante, Dr. Aris Reynold V. Cajigal, Mr. Jerold Labii, Mr. Christian Mark Aganus, Dr. Marilou P. Lucas, Ms. Love Grace Dc. Campano and Mr. Richard Guinsatao.
Experts from MMSU and other agencies composed the panel of evaluators of the 2018 AIHRR as follows: for the AFFNREE – Dr. Teodoro S. Solsoloy, retired assistant director of the Bureau of Agricultural Research; Ms. Katrina A. Lutap, a Doctor of Philosophy student of Iowa State University; Dr. Loida Valenzuela, Ilocos Norte Provincial Veterinarian together with MMSU experts Dr. Epifania O. Agustin, the Vice President for Research, Extension and Business; and Dr. Carlos M. Pascual, International Programs chief. The evaluators in the social sciences, on the other hand, were Dr. Marlowe U. Aquino, professor of MMSU Graduate School; Dr. Carmelo J. Esteban, MMSU Planning Director; Dr. Artemio Seatriz, a professor of the College of Teacher Education, and Dr. Fredolin Julian, professor of the Divine Word College of Laoag.
