With the aim of enhancing the students’ capabilities in conducting and presenting their researches, review articles and narrative reports in a scientific forum, the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) – College of Fisheries (CF) and Freshwater Aquaculture Center (FAC) spearheaded the first ever virtual 5th CF/FAC In-house Student Research Review last February 28, 2022 armed with the theme, “No One is Left Behind: A Gender-Inclusive Approach for Fisheries Research, Education and Governance.” Distinguished alumni of the College were invited as Plenary Speakers and shared their inspirational milestones and current undertakings in the field of research and development. Among those were Dr. Eduardo G. Leaño, Senior Programme Officer, Aquatic Animal Health Programme Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand; Dr. Ramjie Y. Odin, Vice Chancellor for Research, Extension and Development, Mindanao State University – Maguindanao; and Dr. Lilian C. Garcia, Acting Executive Director, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute.
A total of 24 research papers from the undergraduate and graduate students’ theses, dissertations, case studies, narrative reports and review articles were evaluated in this year’s In-house Review. Experts in the field of Fisheries from different State Universities, government agencies and private company were invited as panel of evaluators, namely: Dr. Rosie S. Abalos from Pangasinan State University – Binmaley Campus, Dr. Buncha Tongmee from Maejo University, Asst. Prof. Marjorie G. Ramos from Mariano Marcos State University, Ms. Goldyn Anne G. Aquino from Isabela State University, Mr. Roy C. Ortega from the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), National Brackishwater Fisheries Technology Center, Dr. Dennis D. Tanay from BFAR – National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center, Ms. Hannah R. Juguilon from BFAR Regional Office I, Mr. Nicomedes D. Wamil from BFAR III and Mr. Daniel V. Cabrera from SANTEH Feeds Corporation.
The best oral presenter and the best paper were selected from two breakout groups: Graduate Category and Undergraduate Category. In the Graduate Category, Aphrodite S. Entoma, outcompeted four other students and clinched the Best Oral Presenter Award with her study entitled, “Influence of Mode of Administration and Concentration of Irradiated Carrageenan on the Antibody Response of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) Against Aeromonas hydrophila,” while Benyl John A. Arevalo’s paper entitled, “Synthesis and Characterization of Antigen-Loaded Chitosan Microparticles and its Potential Application for Oral Vaccination Against Aeromonas hydrophila in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.)” was adjudged as the Best Paper. Jemuel O. Tacaca on the other hand, had back-to-back wins in the Undergraduate Category as Best Oral Presenter and Best Paper Award in his study, “Physico-chemical Assessment of Water Quality and Socio-Demographic Profile of People in San Roque Reservoir, San Manuel, Pangasinan.” Moreso, Danielle Clarisse G. Gonzales’ narrative report entitled, “The Production of Seaweeds (Eucheumatoids) as the Major Aquaculture Commodity in the Philippines” outranked 14 other competitors and garnered the Best Poster Award.
Collaborative efforts of the College of Fisheries, Freshwater Aquaculture Center, University Gender and Development Office, CF-Student Government, Ichthyological Society and CF-Graduate Student Association made this first virtual event a success.
