UP student tops BPI-DOST Science Awards

Alexander Edward Dy, a BS Biology major at the University of the Philippines Diliman, worked on a thesis that meant a lot to him — the development of a rapid detection kit for amebiasis patients through Saliviary IgA.

Little did he realize that from this research would emerge the BPI-DOST Best Project of the Year, outclassing 30 other outstanding projects from top universities nationwide.

"This study could also serve as a stepping stone for future related researches," Dy said.

He said he found challenges in science and despite its uncertainties, "every single lesson contributes to the total understanding of the whole concept. Everything is interrelated. That’s why I chose biology. I have always been fascinated by the processes that sustain life. Learning is very interactive in biology."

Dy received his award in a separate but equally meaningful ceremony last Tuesday at the Engineering Theater of UP Diliman.

The BPI-DOST honors outstanding science students who have excelled in specialized fields of science, namely mathematics, physics, engineering, chemistry, biology, and computer science.

Each year, three students from leading universities and colleges are chosen for their exceptional achievements in their respective science or technology fields.

A project of BPI Foundation Inc. and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the annual Science Awards inspires promising scientists and researches from different schools to aim for the highest level of excellence in their chosen fields. To date, there have been over 500 science awardees.

The first and second runners-up were Kevin Francis Ang, a BS Biology student at the University of Santo Tomas, and Paulo Isagani Urriza, BS Computer Engineering student at UP Diliman, respectively.

Ang worked on the "Development of An Immunoassay for the Environmental Detection and Monitoring of Blo t5 Allergen in House Dust," while Urriza’s research dealt with "FPGA Implementation of Space-Time Encoders."