21/08/2026
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๐ ๐ฆ๐จ-๐๐๐ง ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฝ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ป๐ฎ๐โ๐น ๐ฏ๐ถ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ด๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐
Advancing microbiological research and innovation, a collaborative research project by six BS Biology (Microbiology) students from Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) received the Best Poster Award in the non-professional category during the 9th Asia Pacific Biotechnology Congress and the 55th Annual Convention and Scientific Meeting of the Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc. (PSM) held at De La Salle University (DLSU) Laguna Campus on July 15, 2026.
Representing the team at the congress, Stiven Merca was joined by James Bernard Monteza during the pitching period. The project was also conducted by Uel Marlou Desalisa, Johannah Grace Donio, Elpe Gerard Omol, Liam Gene Cabrera, with Department of Biological Sciences (DBS) faculty members Asst. Prof. Sheila Dagondon, Assoc. Prof. Sasha Anne Valdez, and Asst. Prof. Jeremy Roy Augustus Gomez as co-authors.
The individual studies explored the uses of mushrooms from the Sikyop Protected Area in Rogongon in addressing environmental and agricultural concerns, including plastic and antibiotic residue degradation, mycelium-based materials, biofertilizer production, and mushroom-based mats for reducing pesticide residues in rice farming systems, alongside molecular identification of the collected species.
โThe approach was framing our studies into one big project that utilizes indigenous mushrooms to address environmental problems while contributing to agriculture and waste valorization.โ
However, preparing for the presentation came alongside Mercaโs graduation requirements, organizational responsibilities, and preparations for the Philippine Microbiology Olympiad (PhilMO) National Championship. A day before leaving for Manila, he was still working with a rough outline of the poster after prioritizing his PhilMO preparations, leaving him only hours to consolidate the teamโs individual papers into a cohesive research poster before their flight.
Despite the pressure of balancing research with academic and extracurricular responsibilities, Merca viewed the experience as both an opportunity and a responsibility as an undergraduate researcher: โTo continue learning, to pursue research with rigor and purpose, and to use what I learn to give back to the community.โ
Meanwhile, Sid Ortiz and Alondra Dela Cruz competed in the same category, with Michael Angelo Villacorte participating in the undergraduate non-competing category.
The recognition adds to Mercaโs distinction as the DBSโ Best Undergraduate Thesis Awardee in Microbiology last academic year. Beyond the award, he sees the researchโs representation at the congress as a reflection of the departmentโs commitment to rigorous and purposeful research and hopes the achievement will encourage more undergraduate researchers to recognize that their work can contribute meaningfully to the wider scientific community.
What started as six undergraduate studies on indigenous mushrooms now stands as one award-winning research project. More than presenting a poster, the team turned their individual studies into a collective work that placed MSU-IIT on the national scientific stage.
Report by Sunshine Mahusay
Proofread by Tristan Cariaga
Graphics by Mahathyr Sanggacala
