DOST-PTRI Researchers Bag 2nd and 3rd Place of the PAASE and APAMS Rapid Fire Competition under the Material Science Cluster

By: Sharmainne Rhey B. Caoili
Technology Transfer, Information and Promotions Staff

TAGUIG CITY – The Philippine – American Academy of Science and Engineering (PAASE), a non-profit organization composed of various scientists and engineers of Philippine descent who are engaged in scholarly and research-related activities, and the 2020 Annual Scientific Meeting (APAMS) concluded its first virtual anniversary celebration on August 14, 2020. One of the activities was the awarding of the winners to the Rapid Fire Competition, wherein three winners (1st, 2nd, and 3rd places) for each of the four clusters (Ecology & Marine Science, Plant Science & Agricultural, Material Science & Technology, Disease, Medicine, & Pharmaceutical Clusters) were announced. Out of the six presenters under the Material Science Cluster, the DOST – Philippine Textile Research Institute researchers bagged the 2nd and 3rd places.

DOST – PTRI submitted seven scientific posters under the Material Science Cluster. Of the seven posters, five advanced to the Rapid Fire Competition, which was held on August 12, 2020. The lead researchers presented their research studies in a 3-minute pitch to a panel of three (3) experts comprising of the Board of Judges for each category.

In total, twenty-one (21) finalists composed of graduate students, research associates, and junior faculties of different universities, were chosen by the Board of Judges to present and compete using the following criteria: 70% for quality of scientific objectives, study design, methods, data results, and conclusion; 20% for the quality of oral delivery of finalists, and 10% for quality of visual materials.

Mr. Cornelio V. Loyola, Jr., who won the 2nd place, presented the study entitled “Digitization of Traditional Filipino Weaves Using a Computer-Aided Design Software (Weavepoint©)”. The research centered on digitizing and generating a manual draft of the Binakol pattern of Ilocos, Hablon pattern of Iloilo, and the Inaul pattern of Maguindanao using a CAD program or software employed in weaving, utilizing the Weavepoint© software. He concludes that “the use of Weavepoint© resulted in cost- efficient product development. The total time has been cut significantly up to 50% from the traditional process with the minimal chance of unfavorable outcome”. Dr. Julius L. Leaño, Jr. is a co-author of this study.

The 3rd place was awarded to Ms. Cheryl G. Lopez. She led the presentation of the research titled, “Commercialization of Bivoltine Bombyx Mori L Silkworm Hybrid Cocoon Production in Support of the Philippine Silk Industry”. She is the lead researcher of the DOST – PTRI Technology Center in Misamis Oriental. The study focused on the rearing performance, cocoon characteristics and grading, and the raw silk properties of the four (4) different DOST-PTRI silkworms hybrid lines reared in various production areas. Ms. Serenita Ompoy, Mr. Vincent Michael Salon, and Mr. Ronnie Liguan are the co-authors of the said study.

In her presentation, Ms. Lopez shared that, “DOST-PTRI’s responsive contribution to the Philippines silk industry is the research and development for a better silkworm hybrid that is locally available and disease-free. For over a period of time, breeding activities were able to develop hybrids suitable to the local conditions, particularly for hybrids developed in Mindanao. After years of rearing trials, DOST-PTRI was able to come up with a package of sericulture technologies that have become useful in the fields of cocoon producers”.

DOST – PTRI Director Celia B. Elumba was very pleased to have witnessed the work put in by the research teams led by its Chief of Research and Development Division, Dr. Julius L. Leańo. Dir. Elumba further stated that “congratulations are in order for Mr. Loyola, Ms. Lopez, and their team members who have made the Institute proud. It is also an affirmation of the significance of the research thrusts of the Institute, and DOST – PTRI is highly encouraged by the recognition of the scientific merits of the research work of the Institute by an esteemed association of Filipino-American science advocates in the PAASE”.

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