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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Jun 10, 2014 11:06:55 GMT
Thread for Thomasian inventors, designers, innovators, scientists, researchers...UST student wins Build Forward climate-adaptive design competition
UST student Lara Therese Cruz won first place in the House Design Category for her piece, the "Bambox Hut", a house made of bamboo that has the ability to float during extreme floods. The house is flanked by two pillars that will keep the house in place even as it floats.
A requirement for the designs was that the structures should be able to withstand a maximum wind speed of 250 kph, which is the minimum wind speed of a Category 5 typhoon, as per the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Super typhoon Yolanda had sustained winds of 315 kph.
www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/364791/scitech/technology/ust-up-students-win-build-forward-climate-adaptive-design-competition
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Post by TA Saiyan on Jun 14, 2014 3:09:20 GMT
Thomadian designs in Lee's 125th anniversary
FOUR Thomasian fashion designers exhibited their talent on the runway of Lee Jeans’ 125th anniversary celebration, which was held during the whole month of May in malls around Metro Manila last May 19-20 at the Glorietta Activity Center, May 23-25 at Robinson’s Manila Midtown Atrium, and May 28-30 at the Mall of Asia Atrium.
The designers, hailing from the UST College of Fine Arts and Design, are part of the denim brand’s circle of fashion-savvy students called the Lee Style Army. This year’s LSA is composed of students from universities around the archipelago, who were able to design and style with the help of celebrity stylist and contributing fashion editor, Andre Chang.
Alumnus Charlene Tulinao and incoming senior Nazer Molina Jr. were some of the designers of a collection called “Let’s Play” which featured boxy silhouettes, cropped jackets with cuts on the sides and a pop of color – adding a balance between edgy and casual, but wasn’t over the top.
Patterned outfits and all-black ensembles were featured towards the end of the show in a line called “Let’s Rock” which showcased Paolo Kamekawa’s designs which were styled by Vincent Crisostomo, both from Batch 2014.
Grateful for an opportunity to learn
When asked on how they feel with getting such a big opportunity, the designers almost unanimously replied that they were honored to be a part of the Lee Style Army.
“ blessed kasi may opportunity na ganito. Kasi minsan lang naman magkaganito diba. At siyempre, nago-open doors ito sa lahat ng connections,” Kamekawa said. “At saka learning stage din ito para sa akin.”
Crisostomo added, “Nakikita ko ‘to as learning experience or parang training ground para mas makita kung ano ‘yung real job or real thing outside school.”
The University, although not offering a full-blown fashion curriculum, offers fashion-related electives in the Advertising Arts program.
“First year and second year, wala kang mae-expect na fashion design-related na subject sa Advertising Arts,” said Kamekawa. He added that he took up textile design, which tackles patterns and fabrics, during the first semester of his third year in the University, and then took up fashion design, which was more on illustrations, in the following semester.
Lapses and edges
The designers, particularly Crisostomo and Tulinao, praised CFAD’s technical approach in teaching the arts.
“Pinakamagandang na-influence sa akin ng UST is yung technical stuff, yung pagtuturo sa akin ng iba’t ibang medium,” said Crisostomo to which Tulinao added, “Kung techniques lang naman talaga, UST ang magaling mag-deliver ng kung paano ‘to, paano ganyan.”
However, they felt that CFAD’s fashion electives were lacking, especially when it comes to the actual construction of the fashion pieces.
The designers claim to be mostly self-taught, with most of their knowledge and concepts about fashion being either innate or researched. Being self-taught, they say, gave them an edge over other student designers as they have greater creative freedom and gave a greater effort into learning their craft.
“When you’re not spoon-fed, you make a way to know things,” said Lee’s marketing representative Jessie Abarcar, who is also a Thomasian. “And when you make your own way para malaman mo yung mga things about fashion, madami kang nadadaanan na info na hindi din naman binibigay din sa ibang school.”
More Thomasians in the field
Abarcar also mentioned that, aside from the four fashion designers, there are also other Thomasians, who are involved in Lee’s 125th Anniversary celebration in the Philippines.
“Right now, madami talagang Thomasians. I can say na, siguro one-third of what’s behind this event, talagang may Thomasian effort,” he said.
Even with the many Thomasians already working in the fashion industry, he said that he wants to open the doors to more of them.
“Kasi there are students, who want to get in the industry but they don’t know how to get in the industry; or they don’t know how to get in a brand, for example Lee. So, gusto kong malaman ng students na there is this kind of thing for them na ino-offer.”
Celebrating Lee’s 125th
To celebrate more than a century in the fashion industry, an array of iconic denim pieces were toured around the Asia-Pacific region with the Philippines as its third stop.
The “Lee Archive Tour” showcased 27 historic Lee items from different parts of the world to represent a timeline of its designs from as early as 1910 to their latest collection, Lee 101+. This collection is described as a modern rework on the authentic and classic details of the denim brand.
Other pieces included in the exhibit were 125 Buddy Lee, the brand’s mascot since 1922, dolls wearing customized miniature 101+ clothes, photographs by Nobuyoshi Araki, and art-on-denim pieces created by different artists here in the Philippines.
A design-your-own-jeans booth was also installed where the Lee interns assisted those who attended in personalizing their denim jeans for free.
Thomasian designers were joined by students from the Ateneo De Manila University, University of the Philippines, School of Fashion and Arts, De La Salle University-College of Saint Benilde, and University of San Carlos-Cebu.
by Jacqueline Bouvier Arias, Ma. Concepcion De los Santos, Xavier Allen Gregorio Photo by Ferlyn Roise L. Landoy
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Alfredo M. Velayo: Thomasian Pride
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Post by Tomas Aiyan on Jun 18, 2014 6:10:23 GMT
Science professor receives DOST award for notable chemistry work
By Maritz L. Lubo
A UST professor’s research on composite materials for energy storage has won for her a top government award.
Christina Binag, a resident researcher at the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, was awarded for her significant contributions in the field of electro-synthesis of materials and conducting polymers, surface characterization, and nanomaterials during the 2013 Ten Outstanding Researchers Award of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)—National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) in their annual General Membership Assembly last March 26.
NRCP is an organization composed of highly skilled Filipino scientists and researchers. It has 13 scientific divisions focusing on a particular field of science, with each division choosing a recipient of the prestigious award from a pool of scientists.
Binag, who is a professor from the College of Science where she also earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, was recognized under the Chemical Sciences Division, of which she was also elected as the new chairperson.
“It is very humbling and it really is an honor,” said Binag, adding that the previous recipients of the award are “gurus” in the field of Chemistry like her former mentor Fortunato Sevilla III, who pioneered the field of chemical sensors and biosensors in the country.
Also a recipient of the Outstanding Young Scientist title in 2001, Binag said bearing the Thomasian name as she received the DOST-NRCP award was a blessing for her and the University.
Saving energy
For the past 10 years, Binag and her team have been studying composite materials as a possible energy storage device.
“We are looking for composite materials based on conducting polymers, which can be made into nanomaterials as possible energy storage device and possible composite sensors,” she said.
Composite materials consist of separate interconnected parts that act differently than their individual parts. It is like putting together simple machines to make something that is more complex, like how a scissor is made of a wedge and a screw.
A conducting polymer is a chemical compound made up of two or more molecules arranged in a simple repeating structure to form a larger molecule that can conduct electricity.
Binag focused on supercapicitors, which are good examples of composite materials which usually work in tandem with batteries to slow down the release of energy from the battery, maximizing its stored energy.
This can be used as an energy source for simple medical devices, especially, for those in the field or remote areas.
“Our research work is geared towards the priority areas of DOST [which are] harnessing and storing energy, [and] nanotechnology,” she said.
Dedication
Adding knowledge in the scientific community has been Binag’s inspiration for continuing research.
“[Research] is like an investigative work,” Binag said. “The more you look in for clues, the more exciting it gets. The more you find out about a simple thing, you get more interested to dig deeper.”
Binag advised young researchers and students to never stop questioning and compared them with how we are as kids—full of curiosity and wonder.
”When they have something, they don’t just take it as is. You just have to question,” she said. “An inquisitive mind and nimble hands are good characteristics of a researcher to be.”
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Post by Tomas Aiyan on Jul 14, 2014 5:23:09 GMT
Thomasians win big in national Science tilt
10 July 2014, 10:54 p.m. - TWO THOMASIANS were recognized in the 36th Annual Scientific Meeting of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) held at the Philippine International Convention Center Thursday.
Thomas Edison dela Cruz, head of the Department of Biological Sciences of the College of Science and a resident researcher of the Research Center for the Natural Sciences, won this year's NAST-The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Prize for Young Scientists for his research on biodiversity, and ecological patterns of marine and mangrove fungi.
Rey Alfred Rañola, a graduate from the College of Science, bagged the Best Scientific Poster Award for his paper titled "Room Temperature Trimethylamine Sensor Based on Hybrid Graphene/Polyaniline Nanocomposite." The poster won in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences category.
The NAST-TWAS Prize for Young Scientists is given annually to outstanding Filipino scientists in selected disciplines—Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics.
The NAST is an advisory body of the Department of Science and Technology that recognizes Filipinos' outstanding achievements in science and technology, while TWAS promotes "scientific capacity and excellence" by providing research grants, fellowships, awards, and workshops to more than 600 members in 76 countries.
Other awards given include Outstanding Young Scientist, which Dela Cruz won in 2012, Outstanding Scientific Paper, Outstanding Books and Monographs, Talent Search for Young Scientist, and the Environmental Science Award.
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Tomas Aiyan, Saiyantist
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Post by Tomas Aiyan, Saiyantist on Sept 18, 2014 2:22:46 GMT
'Taal Biota Project' pinangunahan ng UST
Ni M. L. Lubo The Varsitarian
PINANGUNAHAN ng UST Department of Biological Sciences ang pananaliksik sa lawa ng Taal na may angking natatanging biodiversity.
Ang “Taal Biota Project,” sa pamumuno ni Thomas Edison de la Cruz ay naglalayong suriin ang ekolohiya, at biodiversity sa lawa ng nasabing bulkan.
Bukod sa pananaliksik, layunin ding tumulong ni Dela Cruz, tagapangulo ng UST Department of Biological Sciences, at ng iba pang kasapi sa proyekto sa pangangalaga ng lawa.
Sa kasalukuyan, maraming lumilitaw na mga problema sa lawa ng Taal tungkol sa ekolohiya nito sanhi ng polusyon, maling pamamaraan sa aquaculture, at iba pang mga kadahilanan na maaaring humantong sa pagkawala ng mga hindi pangkaraniwang organismo.
Isang halimbawa ng problema sa lawa ang pagbaba ng kalidad ng tubig na magdudulot ng marahas na pagbabago sa pamumuhay ng mga organismo, tulad ng pagbaba ng kalidad ng mga isda at iba pang mga hayop na panglawa na makapipinsala sa kabuhayan ng mga komunidad doon.
Ang pagbaba ng kalidad ng tubig sa lawa ay maaaring ikamatay ng mga hayop dahil sa mabilis o biglaang pagbabago sa paligid nila, o maaari rin itong magdagdag ng mga bagong uri ng organismo na kayang malampasan ang mga dati nang namumuhay doon.
“Sa maraming paraan, nagiging marumi na ang kanilang kapaligiran, mayroon pa silang kaagaw,” paliwanag ni Rey Donne Papa, Ph.D, guro sa UST na nanguna sa pagsaliksik patungkol sa flora at fauna na bahagi ng proyekto.
“Ang nangyayari ay nagiging iba ang biyoholikal na komposisyon ng lawa,” aniya.
Ang pangunahing layunin ng proyekto, ayon kay Papa, ay ang makabuo ng mga mungkahing makatutulong sa lokal na pamahalaan at sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) sa paggawa ng mga patakarang na makatutulong sa panganglaga sa lawa at sa mga mamamayang namumuhay doon.
“Nais naming ipaalam sa mga ahensyang sangkot dito kung ano nga ba ang mayroon sa Taal at bakit kailangan itong pangalagaan,” ani Papa.
“Gusto naming ipakita na malaking kawalan sa biodiversity ng Pilipinas kung malipol sila [mga halaman at hayop] sa lawang Taal.”
Parte rin ng proyekto ang pagtuturo sa mga pamayanan doon tungkol sa biodiversity ng lugar at sa pangagalaga nito, maliban pa sa nais ng mga mananaliksik na maparami ang mga scientific journal ukol sa lawa.
“Gusto naming matulungan ang mga pamayan na magkaroon ng mas malalim na pag-unawa sa kanilang lawa at sa kanilang halaman at hayop na endemic sa kanilang lugar,” sabi ni Papa.
Nais din ng proyektong ito na ipamalas ang angking ganda ng lawa bilang isang tirahan ng iba’t ibang mga halaman at hayop, at hindi lang isang ordinaryong lugar na may isang bulkan.
“Sa ngayon, kahit sabihing mayroong mga mananaliksik mula sa UST na nag-aaral ng Taal bilang paksa, kaunti pa lang talaga yung verified, published, scientific accounts sa kaniyang flora at fauna. Isama na rin ang mga katangian nito bilang tirahan ng mga organismo,” paliwanag ni Papa.
Progreso ng pananaliksik
Iminungkahi ng Departamento ng Biological Sciences sa Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) na bigyan sila ng pondo sa proyektong ito, upang mas mabuti nilang mapag-aralan ang Taal.
“Noon pa man ay marami nang pananaliksik na isinasagawa sa lawa, ipinanukala na ni Dr. Dela Cruz sa CHEd na mabigyan ang aming departamento ng pondo,” sabi ni Papa. “Pero, sa ngayon, wala pa ring sagot ang CHEd.”
Sa kabila nito, ipinagpapatuloy pa rin nila ang kanilang mga pananaliksik gamit ang kani-kanilang research grants; samantalang ginagamit naman ng mga mag-aaral ang kanilang sariling pera, o sa pamamagitan ng tulong mula sa kanilang mga tagapayo sa pananaliksik na may sarili ring research grants.
Bagamat marami nang nagawang mga pananaliksik, umaasa pa rin ang kanilang sangay na pumabor ang CHEd sa kanilang mungkahi.
Plano sa pamayanan
Payo rin ni Papa sa UST Biology Society, ang pangkolehiyong samahan ng mga mag-aaral na nagpapakadalubhasa sa biyolohiya, kung saan isa siya sa mga tagapayo, na magkaroon ng ibang proyekto sa lugar na ukol naman sa kanilang mga pamayanan.
“Sa darating na mga taon, dahil makakasalamuha naman namin lalo ang pamayanan ng Taal, makakagawa rin kami ng mga proyekto para sa komunidad na naninirahan doon,” aniya.
Dinarayo ng mga mananaliksik ang lawa ng Taal dahil sa angkin nitong natatanging biodiversity at mga organismong namumuhay sa lawa nito.
Nagsisilbi itong tahanan ng mga kakaiba at hindi pangkaraniwang mga hayop na mahahanap lamang doon, tulad ng Sardinella tawilis, ang nag-iisang tubig tabang na sardinas sa buong mundo.
Nahahanap din dito ang mga malapit nang maubos na uri ng organismo tulad ng Pseudodiaptomus brehmi, isang uri ng maliliit na crustaceans o copepod na matatagpuan lamang sa lugar na may tubig tabang.
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Post by $$$$$$$$ on Nov 17, 2014 9:35:00 GMT
UST set to join Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2015
Nov. 12, 2014, 5:53 p.m. - THE UNIVERSITY’S team of mechanical engineering students is gearing up to compete in next year’s Shell Eco-marathon (SEM) Asia, which was officially launched at the Plaza Mayor on Wednesday.
UST will be joining in both the prototype and urban-concept categories, competing against 177 schools in Asia including 33 from the Philippines, for the test of maximum fuel efficiency.
During the launch, the UST team showcased its official entry car for the prototype category named “Tiger-400” by conducting several test runs.
Team captain Paolo Jose said they were confident that they could keep their ranking in their respective categories in the national level and improve their overall standing in Asia.
“[For this race], we removed the hybrid system because we found out last time that added baggage lang siya,” said Jose in an interview, referring to some changes they made in their prototype.
Last year, UST ranked first in the Philippines and fifth in Asia in the gasoline prototype category, after recording a total distance of 172.27 kilometers per liter.
Shell Eco marathon Project Coordinator Kashka Tobias said the race aims to promote a “healthier fuel economy” for young engineers.
“The race is not a conventional [one]. It is a mileage race on a controlled amount of energy,” Tobias told the Varsitarian.
Also present in the launch were Shell Vice President for Communications Bobby Kanapi, Assistant to the Rector for Student Affairs Evelyn Songco, and Engineering Assistant Dean Ricardo Balog.
SEM Asia 2015 will be held at Rizal Park on Feb. 25 to March 1 next year, the second time the country will be hosting the event. Arianne F. Merez
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Tomas Aiyan, Saiyantist
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Post by Tomas Aiyan, Saiyantist on Nov 17, 2014 23:57:11 GMT
Four Papers for IUBMB and FAOBMB
SCIENCE NEWS!
Four papers from the UST College of Science were presented during the 15th International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) and the 24th Federation of Asian and Ocenian Biochemists and Molecular Biologists (FAOBMB) International Conference at the Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan last 21-26 October 2014.
* Asymptomatic Immunoglobulin Epsilon Sensitizations to Tropical Grass Pollen-Derived Carbohydrates (Cabauatan CR, Lupinek C, Weiss R, Focke-Tejkl M, Bhalla P, van Hage M, Ramos JDA, Valenta R.)
* Allergenicity of selected legumepollen extractsin a panel of Filipino atopic individuals (Velasco RUD, Garcia MCZ, Miranda CFL, Paas GRG, Bajao JEM, Yap JMG, Sabit MB, Ramos JDA)
* The -2978C/G single nucleotide polymorphism of ADAM33 gene in a selected Filipino asthmatic population (Yap JM, Ching MW, Cabanilla CQ, Ramos JDA)
* Genotype and allele frequencies of eotaxin -384 A>G and interleukin 5 -703 C>T SNPs in selected pediatric asthmatic population (Ching MW, Santos KCP, Ong CM, JDA Ramos)
The UST delegation composed of participants coming from both the College of Science and the UST Graduate School: John Donnie A. Ramos (faculty); Jennifer Maries Yap (faculty); Joshua Evans Bajao (former Bio student / GS Msc student); Rainier Ulrich Velasco (former Bio student /GS MSs student) and Marciar Ching (GS PhD alumna).
The group was a part of a 16-man delegation from the Philippines.
Dr. Ramos is the current president of the Philippine Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PSBMB), a member of IUBMB and FAOBMB.
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Post by archivist on Jan 12, 2015 7:43:24 GMT
Ruins of old Ilocos Norte town discovered
Edgar Allan M. Sembrano Philippine Daily Inquirer 12:07 AM | Monday, January 12th, 2015
In what seems to be a typical Philippine northern village of modern concrete houses lies a secret that dates back to the Spanish colonial period.
The village of Santa Monica or Barangay 24 in San Nicolas town, Ilocos Norte, does not only have a rich history but also a heritage as embodied by remnants of an ancient town that once existed in the area.
Called by residents as daan nga ili, or old town, Santa Monica, which is also referred to as Nagrebcan, is said to be the former site of the poblacion or town center of Sarrat before it was burned down during the insurrection of 1815.
After the insurrection, the townspeople rebuilt Sarrat at its present location—on the other side of the Padsan River.
“The new Sarrat stands guard as it were, over what is theorized to be the old seat of the town, now called Nagrebcan (destroyed),” reads a portion on Sarrat of the book “Ilocos Norte: A Travel Guidebook.”
Church art historian and University of Santo Tomas (UST) archivist Regalado Trota Jose agreed to the theory that Nagrebcan was the old Sarrat.
“I think it is the old site of Sarrat before it transferred to the other side of the river,” he said in Filipino.
Jose is one of the writers and editors of the guidebook published by the Gameng Foundation, which won the National Book Award of the Manila Critics Circle in 2004.
Cultural mapping
Structures at the old Sarrat, which included a church, a cemetery and houses, were left in ruins as residents rebuilt their lives at the town’s new location.
In his book, “The History of San Nicolas,” Manuel Aurelio narrates that in 1985 the remains of the church and houses were still there, including the stone bridge constructed in the 1880s.
The recent cultural mapping project initiated by the local government of San Nicolas, with the help of the UST Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics, has again brought to life the existence of the old town in Nagrebcan. (The tourism and education departments also assisted in the program.)
It likewise raised the awareness of its residents about the importance of their place, said Municipal Tourism Officer Richie Cavinta.
Cultural mappers have been able to document what is said to be the remnants of the old church and the ruins of the old stone bridge. The bridge has since been replaced by a modern concrete one.
On a recent visit by Cavinta and the Inquirer, residents Rosita Pascua and Gloria Ramos showed artifacts from the old church—pieces of bricks with carved images.
Village chief Jowell Aliga said that brick after brick was recovered when a house was being constructed a few years ago.
The artifacts from Pascua and Ramos were turned over to the municipal government, which was reportedly planning to request the National Museum to conduct archeological excavations in Nagrebcan.
‘Boundary’
Also in his book, whose second edition has been recently published, Aurelio refuted claims that Nagrebcan was the old Sarrat.
The local historian said there was no mention of the exact location of the pre-1815 Sarrat. He added that Nagrebcan was populated by residents of Sarrat after fleeing from the insurrection that terrorized the town.
In Nagrebcan, according to Aurelio, Sarrateños built a church, cemetery and houses, but eventually returned to their hometown.
Aurelio based his information on a 1914 document “La Sublevacion de Sarrat.”
In support of this claim, he said the name Nagrebcan did not come from the Ilocano nagrebaan, which means “a place of ruins” or “destroyed,” but from the same word, nagrebcan, which means “boundary”—that is, the boundary between San Nicolas and Sarrat.
lifestyle.inquirer.net/181860/ruins-of-old-ilocos-norte-town-discovered
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Post by #hedyotis on Jan 21, 2015 13:13:36 GMT
Newly discoveredplant named after the Pope
The Varsitarian
ARARE flowering plant has been named after PopeFrancis.
Hedyotispapafranciscoi isnamed after Pope Francis. Photo courtesy ofGrecebio Jonathan Alejandro
UST’s Grecebio Jonathan Alejandro, director of Graduate Studies, along with his team, discoveredthree new species of the endemic Hedyotis, a genus of flowering plants, in the province of Antique.
Alejandro namedone of the three new species Hedyotis papafranciscoi, inhis paper titled "A new endemicspecies of Philippine Hedyotis L.(Rubiaceae) namedafter Pope Francis," to be published in the maidenissue of the UST Graduate School’s The Antoninus Journal.
According tothe UST researchers, the plant usually flowers in April and grows in open places of secondary forest.It has flowers appearing inalmost every leaf axil, rising directly from the plant’s stems.
H.papafranciscoi's flowers are characterized as white with purple calyx lobes.
"[Having flowers in almost every leaf axil] is uncommon in Hedyotis plants," Alejandro told the Varsitarian, explaining that while the typical Hedyotis usually has terminal buds or flowers at the tip of the stem, H.papafranciscoi does not.
These characteristics, along with the whiteness of the plant's flowers, made it fit tobe named after the Pope, he said.
“This uniqueness is like a reflection [of] Pope Francis. It’s like his presence is also [within the plant],” he added.
However, H.papafranciscoican only be foundin the area surrounding Mt. Madja-as, Antique.
Due to its exclusivity to the Antique area and the fact that only a small number of plants are left, the new species is classified as a critically endangered. Before the plant's discovery, the Philippines was said to be home to35 Hedyotis species.
Alejandro discovered H. papafranciscoialong with two new Hedyotis plants, with his students naming the other two Hedyotis culasinensis and Hedyotis davaoensis. Rhenn Anthony S. Taguiam
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Post by Tiger 400 on Mar 2, 2015 23:23:35 GMT
UST places 7th in Shell Eco-Marathon Asia
March 2, 2015, 8:23 p.m. - THE UST Eco-Tigers placed seventh overall in the gasoline prototype category of the 2015 Shell Eco-Marathon (SEM) Asia held at Rizal Park from Feb. 25 to March 2.
The University’s team of mechanical engineering students again set the longest mileage of 137 kilometers per liter (km/L) among Philippine schools with the vehicle “Tiger-400” or T-400.
However, UST failed to beat its own record of 172.27 km/L last year and 198 km/L in 2010, when it first joined the SEM in Malaysia.
Thailand’s Kong Thabbok Upatham Changkol Kho So Tho Bo School recorded the longest mileage for the gasoline prototype category, with a record of 1,490 km/L.
This year’s longest distance recorded for the prototype category was 1,572 km/L, by students of Thailand’s Sakonnakhon Technical College.
Thailand has the longest mileage on record in Asia at 2,903 km/L, set by students of Dhurakij Pubdit University in 2012.
In 2012, De La Salle University’s “Proto” set a record of 255 km/L, the longest mileage recorded by a Philippine school.
Meanwhile, the University’s entry in the urban-concept category was not able to compete in the race after failing to pass technical inspection due to “major delays” in its construction.
“The urban car didn’t make it to technical inspection because of major delays but we will finish the car within the year, so next year we can compete,” Eco-Tiger Meg Celine Cruz said in a text message.
A total of 177 student-teams from 20 countries, including 33 teams from the Philippines, participated in this year’s marathon.
The SEM is an international competition that “challenges student teams from around the world to design, build and test ultra energy-efficient vehicles.” Arianne F. Merez. Photo courtesy of Engineering Dean Philipina Marcelo.
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Post by DNA Barcoder on Mar 21, 2015 0:14:39 GMT
UST leads way in barcoding of PH medicinal plants
UST IS now one step closer to fulfilling its dream of digitally preserving the Philippines’ rich plant biodiversity.
Grecebio Jonathan Alejandro, director of the Graduate Studies, and his team is about to release an online database documenting various plant species found in the country this year.
The project, named the “DNA Barcoding for Authentication of Philippine Medicinal Plants,” is a four-year project that aims to create an online database and a medicinal guidebook for flora found in the Philippines with the help of DNA barcoding.
Along with Alejandro are project staffers Jason Chavez of the Far Eastern University, Axel Arolla of the University of the East, Rosario Rubite of the University of the Philippines-Manila and Danilo Gundan of the Philippine National Herbarium.
His research assistants are Vincent Cabelin, Hao Wei Hsu, Jay Edneil Olivar, and Propa Joy Santor.
Funded by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology, the project helped place the University as the Center for DNA Plant Barcoding in the Philippines.
Answer to adulteration
Alejandro recalled conceptualizing the four-year project last 2012 due to the country’s plant biodiversity. The project is expected to end next year with the release of an online database and an updated medicinal guidebook.
“We have a very rich folkloric culture, especially when it comes to herbal medicine,” he said. “Aside from prescription medicine, we also rely a lot on herbal plants.”
The World Health Organization said that 80 percent of people around the world rely on herbal medicine. However, the adulteration of medicinal plants pose threats to the health of recipients.
Adulteration is the substitution of effective medicinal plants to its similar-looking counterparts. Alejandro explained that just because two plants look alike does not mean their medicinal properties are the same.
“With the help of DNA barcoding, we can avoid health concerns like this,” he said. “A database and a guidebook could help experts and students alike not just with research but with their health as well.”
A genetic supermarket
DNA barcoding relies on identifying DNA markers or unique segments of a species’ DNA to separate them apart, like how a barcode differentiates products in supermarkets.
The process starts with the collection of medicinal plants from the Plant Resources of Southeast Asia and using molecular methods in order to amplify and identify its marker.
Alejandro clarified that DNA barcoding in plants is harder compared to animals because animals have a universal marker that contains their “barcode,” unlike plants that have five markers that each need to be tested.
“This is why we also want to find candidates for a ‘universal marker’ in plants throughout the research,” he said.
Alejandro described DNA barcoding as a diagnostic technique for species identification through their genotypes—an individual’s actual genetic makeup.
He added that DNA barcoding could pave the way for a more modern approach for species identification compared to traditional methods, such as the examination of a species’ morphological and molecular structure.
Nearing the finish line
Now on its third year, the barcoding project is projected to showcase its online database in October this year. Alejandro said that the database will have data from the past two years of their research to be merged with the data gathered this year for the expansion of the database and its regular update of contents.
In 2012, a total of 176 medicinal plants were barcoded, with 253 more added in 2013. Alejandro also said 131 endemic plants belonging to families like Begoniaceae, Annonaceae, and Rubiaceae, and to genera like Hedyotis, Praravinia and Uncaria are currently under observation as they could be potentially entered as new species in the database.
An updated medicinal guide book will also be released in 2016, which contains a more comprehensive list of plants with their various medicinal properties and possible health applications.
Although Alejandro is based in the University and is in charge of maintaining the database, the project belongs to the Department of Science and Technology. Aside from being named the Center of DNA Barcoding in the Philippines, UST will also be cited as one of the project’s main contributors in the upcoming online database. Maritz L. Lubo and Rhenn Anthony S. Taguiam
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Post by RCNAS on Jun 15, 2015 11:17:08 GMT
<font color="#c27616" face="georgia"><b>UST professor develops virus diagnostic kit for shrimp <br><i>June 9, 2015 4:50pm </i></b><br><br>UST professor Dr. Marybeth Maningas has developed a kit for diagnosing the White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) in shrimp. <br> <br>According to Maningas, shrimp infected by the WSSV have a 100% mortality rate, dying within 2-10 days after infection. Aside from white spots on the body of the shrimp, other symptoms include lethargy and increased cannibalism. The virus does not pose a threat for humans. <br> <br>In the 90’s, local shrimp production earned the Philippines USD300 million in exports. However, WSSV killed off a large enough population, reducing earnings by 40-60%, or around USD 120 million to 180 million. <br> <br> <br> <br>The diagnostic kit took almost four years of research and development, with researchers focusing on the development of detection equipment from 2011-2012 and DNA isolation procedures from 2013-2014. Field testing and encouraging local shrimp farmers to adopt the technology is currently taking place in 18 locations until 2016. <br> <br>The Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences (RCNAS) and the College of Engineering of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) collaborated on the diagnostic kit, with financial support from the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD). <br> <br>The diagnostic kit has a patent application pending. - <i>Bea Montenegro/JJ, GMA News </i><br> <br> <br><font size="1">More from: www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/501098/scitech/science/ust-professor-develops-virus-diagnostic-kit-for-shrimp </font></font> |
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Post by #IAFL on Jun 29, 2015 7:52:11 GMT
Travel awards announced
Posted on the 3rd February 2015 in the category Press Release
The IAFL awards committee, chaired by Professor Tim Grant, has selected three recipients of IAFL12 travel awards. The awards acknowledge the contributions by distinguished scholars to the understanding of forensic linguistics and language of the law and their promotion of the field. The Roger Shuy Award honours Professor Shuy for his contributions to forensic linguistic scholarship and his generous founding gift of a student travel award. The Malcolm Coulthard Award honours the IAFL founding president. The Teresa M. Turell Award honours the former president of the Association, and the selection process for this award gave preference to students from Spanish-speaking or Portuguese-speaking countries.
We are happy to announce that the Malcolm Coulthard Award has gone to Rachelle Ballesteros-Lintao from University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, and the Roger Shuy Award to Naouress Akrouti from Tunisia. The recipient of the Maria Teresa Turell Award is Sheila Queralt of Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain.
The awards were available to postgraduate students whose paper had been accepted for presentation at the conference and who expressed the intention to present the paper in person. Preference was given to applicants who would otherwise find travel expenses to the conference prohibitive and provided evidence of the potential to contribute to the development and promotion of the discipline of forensic linguistics.
Congratulations to Rachelle, Naouress and Sheila!
- See more at: www.iafl.org/news.php#sthash.gjvUtN60.ya2a5PuJ.dpuf
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Oct 2, 2015 7:36:39 GMT
UST entry wins DOST RICE tilt
by Edd K. Usman
October 1, 2015
An entry from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) topped 30 others in its “Likha” category in the Regional Invention Contests and Exhibits (RICE) of the Department of Science and Technology-National Capital Region (DOST-NCR).
The research is called “Lamp Primers for White Spot Syndrome Virus” aimed to determine quickly whether shrimps have White Sport Disease (WSD).
For their feat they received a plaque and a trophy, plus P 25,000 in cash. She said the DOST funded their research for P10 million since they started in 2011. Their creation has patent No. 1-2013-000158.
Read more at www.mb.com.ph/ust-entry-wins-dost-rice-tilt/#d0lu81klzHuzRpRp.99
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Oct 6, 2015 13:30:25 GMT
THOMASIANS PUSHING THE FRONTIERS OF KNOWLEDGE
UST named DOST’s National Fuel Cell Testing Center
The University of Santo Tomas was named as the National Fuel Cell Testing Center by the Department of Science and Technology, thanks to a Grants-in-Aid project entitled “Nanostructured Electrocatalyst Composites for Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell: Preparation, Characterization, and Performance Evaluation,” by Dr. Bernard John V. Tongol. As the National Fuel Cell Testing Center, UST will house facilities for fuel cell research and development and will spearhead the said activity, accommodating researchers from different institutions, too.
Source: UST Quadri
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Nov 7, 2015 13:31:48 GMT
Pharma wins in national cell biology convention
Thomas Adrian Tiongson and Maria Charina Magsumbol, both Biochemistry seniors from the Faculty of Pharmacy, along with professor Myla Santiago and research assistant Mark Kevin Devanadera, bested 16 local and international participants to secure first place for their visual representation of the methods and data of their study on doxorubicin, a kind of anti-cancer drug.
varsitarian.net/breaking_news/20151107/pharma_wins_in_national_cell_biology_convention
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Nov 19, 2015 6:07:29 GMT
UST bags recognition in innovation competition
November 14, 2015, 7:35p.m. - THOMASIAN researches on a shrimp virus, a medical instrument for pelvic floor diseases, and a more efficient building material bagged awards in a convention hosted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) last Sept. 28 to 30 at the Technological Institute of the Philippines.
varsitarian.net/breaking_news/20151114/ust_bags_recognition_in_innovation_competition
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Feb 27, 2016 7:56:43 GMT
THOMASIANS PUSHING THE FRONTIERS OF KNOWLEDGE
Chemical Engineering students place 2nd and 3rd in national undergraduate research contest
BS Chemical Engineering students placed 2nd and 3rd in the 2016 Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (PIChE) National Undergraduate Research Contest. The competition was held during the 77th PIChE National Convention last February 18, 2016 at Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center. There are six finalists in the competition and three of which came from the UST Department of Chemical Engineering (UST ChemE).
Jhullie Ann S. Bigso, Carlito R. Dimaano, Jr., and Ian Kenneth D. Micaller, bagged the 2nd place with their research entitled “Effects of pyrolytic temperature on the physicochemical characteristics of biocharcoal derived from Calyphyllum inophyllum seed husks”. Their advisers are Prof. Maria Natalia R. Dimaano, PhD. and Asst. Prof. Michael Francis D. Benjamin, PhD.
Meanwhile, Mary Daphne A. Buti, Anthony B. Cruz and Jamie Ashley E. San Juan got the 3rd place with their research entitled “Development of an optical sensor based on immobilized dithizone on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in the determination of cadmium (II) ions for the monitoring of proper effluent disposal”. Their adviser is Prof. Edna C. Quinto, PhD.
Source: UST Quadri
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Feb 27, 2016 7:58:22 GMT
THOMASIANS PUSHING THE FRONTIERS OF KNOWLEDGE
Delos Reyes of Chem. Eng'g. awarded Best Oral Presenter in Bangkok conference
Engr. Florencio D. delos Reyes of the Department of Chemical Engineering (ChemE) was awarded the Best in Oral Presentation during the 2016 Pure and Applied Chemistry International Conference (PACCON 2016) held last February 9-11, 2016 in the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center. The Best Oral Presentation Award was chosen under the Materials Chemistry and Nanotechnology session.
Engr. Delos Reyes’s presentation, entitled “Surface-modified rice husk-derived silica nanoparticles as flame retarder in polystyrene,” was about the development of multi-flame retardant system using surface-modified silica nanoparticles obtained from rice husks, for production of efficient, non-toxic, and cost-effective flame retarders for highly combustible materials. His research is funded by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and Thammasat University. It is also supported by DOST-PCIEERD through the BCDA sandwich program grant.
Source: UST Quadri
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Mar 20, 2016 7:28:35 GMT
UST places fifth in Asia in 2016 Shell Eco-Marathon
March 7, 2016, 1:33p.m. - THE UST Eco Tigers finished fifth overall in both the urban and prototype categories at the conclusion of the 2016 Shell Eco Marathon-Asia last March 4 at Quirino Grandstand.
The UST Eco Tigers' “T400D” and “T400E,” the prototype and urban concept entries of the team, recorded fuel consumption of 69 km/liter and 54 km/liter respectively.
UST was the only university from the Philippines that made the cut for the alternative fuel urban concept category. The Eco Tigers weren't given the chance to parade their entry for the urban concept category last year after failing to pass technical inspection.
“Yung last year kasi parang nagkaroon ng maraming problema, maraming issues concerned (braking system, fuel system and yung sa mga electrical systems), ngayon, [naayos na] namin 'yung mga issue na 'yun,” Eco Tigers adviser Raymundo Melegrito told the Varsitarian.
Vietnam’s Lac Hong University recorded the longest distance for the alternative fuel urban concept category at 186 km/liter. Indonesia's Institut Teknologi Bandung and University of Sumatera Utara ranked second and third, while Monash University placed fourth.
Meanwhile, the diesel prototype entry of the Eco Tigers placed third among Philippine schools and fifth overall in the category. University of San Carlos ranked third with a record of 106 km/liter, followed by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines at fourth, after setting a 72 km/liter record.
The longest distance for the diesel prototype category was 1,424 km/liter, set by the Hyogo Prefectural Tajima Technical Institute from Japan. This was followed by Tongji University of China, which was 798 km/liter.
For the prototype entry, UST opted for diesel instead of gasoline. "We pushed through the competition kasi we made it this far. Next year we will continue that design and baka magfocus nalang kami sa isang vehicle para mas madali imanage," Cruz, mechanical engineering student and driver of the prototype engine, said.
The UST Eco-Tigers, who first joined the competition in 2010 in Malaysia, is composed of mechanical engineering students Joven Talape, Raymond Cornes, Royce Leong, Kevin Uri Diaz, Allen Yap, Adrian Alemania, Dannie Baluyot, John Paulo Diongco, Jerome Richard Inson, Mia Jane Reyes, Jason Faustino, Karl Enano, Hazel Sigua, Eli de Arroz, Meg Celine Cruz, Jose Francisco Ignacio and Lance Pio Roda, along with electrical engineering students Jason Faustino and Karl Enano.
A total of 118 teams from 16 countries participated in this year’s event.
This will be the last year Manila will be the host city of the Shell Eco Marathon. It will be held in Singapore next year.
Shell Eco-Marathon is sponsored by Dutch oil company Shell, challenging student teams from around the world “to design, build and drive the most energy-efficient car” by consuming the least amount of fuel. Clarence I. Hormachuelos, Roy Abrahmn Narra and Kathryn V. Baylon
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Mar 20, 2016 7:36:26 GMT
THOMASIAN EXCELLENCE
Professors emeriti Guevarra, Sevilla; RCNAS; Alejandro of Science receive awards in 2016 NRCP conference
The University of Santo Tomas reaped awards during the 2016 National Research Council of the Philippines Scientific Conference, with the theme “Research Innovation for Inclusive Development”, held last March 16, 2016 (Wednesday), at the Philippine International Convention Center.
Receiving the 2016 NRCP Outstanding Institution Award was the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences.
Meanwhile, Professors Emeriti Beatrice Q. Guevara, PhD and Fortunato B. Sevilla III, PhD received the Member Emeritus and Distinction Award, respectively.
Recognized, too, was the poster entry of Prof. Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro, Dr. rer. nat., Jose Francisco M. Atienza, and Jay Edniel C. Olivar, entitled “DNA Barcoding reveals fraud in the Philippines Vitex negundo L. (lagundi) trade: A call for a quality control protocol to ensure consumer health”. The entry was a 2nd Prize Winner.
Source: UST Quadri
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Apr 11, 2016 3:15:28 GMT
Thomasians bring home awards from DOST competition
April 8, 2016, 4:06p.m. - THREE Thomasians bagged awards in a research competition spearheaded by the Department of Science Technology (DOST) last April 6, with one of them the first from UST to win in a new category.
Chemistry senior Jerome Alan Japitana’s research paper on developing fuel cell technology, titled ”Using non-precious materials in the development of a cost-effective cathode catalyst for direct ethanol fuel cells,” topped 30 finalists from both the Basic and Applied categories of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Foundation-sponsored competition, winning the Best Project and Best in Basic Research Award.
Japitana was the inaugural recipient of the Best in Basic Research Paper. He was also the first Thomasian to receive the Best Project of the Year award.
Japitana’s study aims to “improve the catalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the cathode side” of fuel cells. He said there was a need for an environmentally sustainable and economically feasible alternative source of energy.
“The study focuses on overcoming one of the main limitations of the fuel cell technology, specifically the cathode reaction. By developing a catalyst for this reaction that is less expensive and yet more efficient, it is possible to open doors to a sustainable and economically viable alternative energy source,” he said in an interview.
“I believe this achievement can serve as an impetus for Thomasian researchers to further excel in providing scientific solutions to social issues both nationally and internationally,” he added.
A total of 30 students from 11 participating universities joined the 27th BPI-DOST Science Awards. The universities included Ateneo de Manila, De La Salle University, University of the Philippines, Siliman University, University of San Carlos and Xavier University.
Meanwhile, applied physics student Jason Mactal’s research paper, “Fabrication of Polyaniline/Carbon Black/ Piña – Polyester Fabric Eectrode for Capacitive Deionization,” was named national finalist and placed sixth overall.
Chemical engineering student Justin Timothy Vinluan was included in the "30 Seeds of Change" for his study "Synthesis of Biodegradable Poly (Xylitol Diglycolate) and Characterization of its Thermal, Mechanical and Morphological Properties, and "In Vitro" Degradation."
The theme of the 27th DOST-BPI Awards was “Engineering our Future through Environmental Sustainability,” which challenged students to come up with solutions that "address urgent environmental challenges with researches focused on sustainable materials, agriculture, disaster mitigation, health and technology." Clarence I. Hormachuelos
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on May 1, 2016 6:31:21 GMT
UST named National Fuel Testing Center
UST HAS been named the National Fuel Testing Center by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) after powering explorations in alternative energy.
The DOST will be forming a facility providing testing services to fuel cell researchers in the country and will be supervised by the UST Fuel Cell team led by Asst. Prof. Bernard Tongol from the College of Science.
This facility was made possible through Tongol’s efforts on the project “Nanostructured Electrocatalyst Composites for Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell: Preparation, Characterization, and Performance Evaluation” that focuses on ethanol’s potential as an alternative fuel source.
Ethanol is a widely used fuel by consumers for being hydrogen-rich and less toxic compared to its methanol counterpart.
Tongol said the project could be an avenue to increase awareness of Thomasians on alternative energy research, including studies on fuel cell and nanotechnology.
”The prototype that is being developed in this project could be used for low power devices with potential impact to the community,” Tongol told the Varsitarian in an email.
He said this could be an advantage in fuel cell-powered-emergency LED devices that could be used for search and rescue efforts in a natural disaster.
The project is funded by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology, Research and Development department of the DOST with a budget of P15 million for two years beginning November of 2014 until the same month in 2016.
Advanced equipment were also acquired through the grant, such as a fuel cell test station and a potentiostat, which are currently being operated in the University’s Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences.
The Department of Energy Systems Engineering in Korea’s Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology stands as the project’s collaborating agency. Mia Rosienna P. Mallari
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Aug 6, 2016 2:45:58 GMT
Thomasian scientists recognized for contributions in agriculture, natural science
July 29, 2016, 7:30 p.m. - UST scientists bagged eight "Qualifier Awards" in the Commission on Higher Education (Ched)'s 2016 Research and Publication (Republica) Awards at the Century Park Hotel last July 26.
College of Science faculty members Grecebio Jonathan Alejandro, Rey Donne Papa, Mary Beth Maningas, Cecilia Banag, Jonathan Briones, Susan Baldia, and Gil Cauyan each received citations for their studies under the Agriculture and Natural Science category.
These studies are:
“Generic affiliations of Canthium species placed under Pyrostria group B sensu Bridson (Vanguerieae, Rubiaceae) inferred from morphology and molecular data” (Alejandro and Arriola along with Carizza Magdaleno, Joseph Pacia, Lyn Paraguison, Kim Quiogue, Anna Wong and Krysten Yayen)
“Synonymy of Philippine Ixora (Ixoreae, Rubiaceace) and Ixora silagoensis sp. nov” (Banag, Manalastas and Alejandro)
“Two new species of Ixora (Ixoroideae, Rubiaceae) endemic to the Philippines” (Banag and Alejandro along with Danilo Tandang and Ulrich Meve)
“Bioclimatic niches of selected endemic Ixora species in the Philippines: predicting habitat suitability due to climate change” (Banag and Alejandro along with Timothy Thrippleton, Björn Reineking and Sigrid Liede-Schumann)
“Establishing the impacts of freshwater aquaculture in tropical Asia: the potential role of palaeolimnology” (Papa along with Kenoses Legaspi, Annie Lau, Phil Jordan, Anson Mackay, Suzanne Mcgowan, Gayle Mcglynn, Susana Baldia and David Taylor)
“Fish diversity and trophic interactions in Lake Sampaloc (Luzon Is., Philippines)” (Briones, Cauyan and Papa along with Norman Mendoza and Noboru Okuda)
“Characterization of hemocyanin-like subunits in giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii” (Maningas along with Maria Violeta Tare, Celine Mae Duran, Camille Janine Icaro, Joshua Montelibano, Christine Tadeo and David Guanzon)
“Crude fucoidan from Sargassum polycystum stimulates growth and immune response of Macrobrachium rosenbergii against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)” (Maningas along with Mary Ann Arizo, Emerita Simeon, Maria Janina Layosa, Ranier Mortel, Charmaine Pineda and Jalizah Lim)
Winners of the Qualifier Awards are eligible for the National Republica Awards. Winners were given trophies and cash prizes depending on whether or not their journal articles were indexed by Scopus or the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), bibliographical databases that list high-quality and intensively reviewed studies.
Research accredited by the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) but not indexed by Scopus or ISI received P25,000 pesos, while P50,000 was given to each Ched-accredited and indexed research.
The Republica Awards aims to recognize outstanding Ched-accredited or Ched-funded researches by higher education faculty members in three categories--Agriculture and Natural Science, Humanities, Social Sciences, Business and Teacher Education, and Mathematics, Engineering and Information Technology. Maritz L. Lubo
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Post by elodeyapafo on Sept 5, 2019 20:24:06 GMT
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Post by otevuvo on Sept 5, 2019 22:31:04 GMT
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