BPI, DOST honor top science students

MANILA, Philippines - The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Foundation and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) presented the Best Project of the Year award to Jerome Alan S. Japitana, a BS Chemistry student of the University of Santo Tomas at the 2016 BPI-DOST Science Awards, held at The Mind Museum, Taguig last April 5. Also the Best in Basic Research Award, Japitana’s study “Using Non-Precious Materials in the Development of a Cost-Effective Cathode Catalyst for Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells,” studied the use of cobalt to improve the efficiency of fuel cell performance. Fuel cells are a viable option for environmentally-sustainable and economically-feasible source of energy.

The Best in Applied Research winner Joselv E. Albano is a BS Biology student from Ateneo de Davao University. His project “Molecular Detection and Expression of merA and Mercury Reduction by Pseudomonas putida,” demonstrates the promising ability of the mercury-reducing bacteria in the bioremediation of contaminated areas. Bioremediation can be a less expensive and more efficient method of alleviating elemental mercury that pose a great danger to human health. Against the backdrop of global warming and a climate-defined future, the theme for the search for the 2016 Best Science Project: “Engineering our Future through Environmental Sustainability” has resulted in the identification of 30 brilliant young scientists from 11 partner universities whose research projects focus around the discovery and use of sustainable materials, solutions for agriculture, disaster mitigation, health, technology, and many more. Now on its 27th year, the BPI-DOST Science Awards has recognized over 800 outstanding science awardees from its partner universities nation-wide: Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo de Davao University, De La Salle University, MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, Saint Louis University, Silliman University, University of the Philippines Diliman, University of the Philippines Los Baños, University of San Carlos, University of Santo Tomas and Xavier University. Up to three exceptional students are selected per partner institution every year.