Home

2nd Module: Road to be a Better Researcher

Emphasis, impact, do’s and don’ts in preparing a research proposal are just some of the topics for module 2 of the Mentorship Program. Module 2 of the mentorship program commenced last October 8 to 10, 2018, at the Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang, Davao City. The Regional Health Research and Consortium XI (RHRDC XI) invited one renowned researcher in the Philippines who is an expert in the field of Chemistry and Biology and a Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Balik Scientist awardee to facilitate the Mentorship Program. The moderator, Dr. Jonel P. Saludes, is a seasoned researcher who is a member of the Editorial Board of Frontiers in Chemistry and an Associate Vice President for Research in the University of San Agustin, Iloilo.

Module 2 did not only focus on the methodologies, but the moderator prepared an intensive one-day course on the essential elements in preparing a proposal for a grant. Some of the key elements of a research proposal are the title and abstract which must be aligned in the priority areas from the National Unified Health Research Agenda 2017-2022 of DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, the introductory paragraph that should engender enthusiasm on the ideas of the mentees, the objective must have well-defined endpoint, and a repetitive reminder of the moderator to always be clear and concise. After the lecture, Dr. Saludes suggested to re-write the entire proposal from introduction to objectives of the study. The following day, the mentees were given the chance to sit down with Dr. Saludes for a one-on-one critiquing. The third day continued the one-on-one for the fifth mentee thereafter a presentation for the revised proposal for critiquing of the moderator and peer was done. After module 2, the mentees are expected to submit their draft output for the 2^nd Module to their respective mentors for review and comments and final output must be sent to RHRDC XI secretariat as basis for Module 3.

The 3^rd Module for the Mentorship Program is scheduled on November 7-9, 2018.3

By: Mabel Diana M. Calipes

Here's what you missed during the 8th Health R&D Expo

With a theme: “Research and Innovation in the Pathway to Philippine Setting: Health Equity”, the Regional Health Research and Development Consortium XI (RHRDC XI) once again gathered health and health-related enthusiasts in the region in a showcase of conducted health researches and latest trends with potential benefits in every Filipino. The annual Health R&D Expo gathered about 200 participants from the consortium’s member institutions to witness completed health researches in our local setting.

The 8^th Health R&D Expo, was welcomed by Dr. Warlito C. Vicente, Chairperson of RHRDC XI by encouraging the participants on the essence of time in crafting a beneficial research. He further emphasized that while one is still young, they should enrich themselves in doing quality research. Moreover, the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) which was represented by Ms. Carina L. Rebulanan, Chief of Institution Development Division, shared the message of their Executive Director expressing their outmost support on this initiative by the consortium and that the strong partnership between the consortium and the council will have the power to shape the health R&D and contribute in improving every individual’s quality of life. Furthermore, they encouraged everyone to take advantage of the information technology in sharing good researches to the community. Lastly, the Regional Director of DOST XI, Dr. Anthony C. Sales, CESO III, presented the on-going initiatives of the consortium and the DOST Davao Region Office such as the creation and Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) ecosystems, workshop on creation of policy briefs from researchers conducted in the region and other works related to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals. He also stressed the role of SETI in the attainment of national development.

This year’s Health R&D Expo focus on educating the participants on topics such as “Translating Research for Improvement of Health” and “Drug Discovery.” Apart from that, the highlight of two-day activity is the Health Research Competition for Undergraduate and Graduate Creative Research categories. There were 12 entries for the Graduate Creative Research Category both for oral and poster competition and 23 entries for Undergraduate Research Category both for oral and poster competition. Winners of the competition received medals, cash prize and the chance to represent the region during the 13^th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) week celebration in Cagayan de Oro City.

The Regional Health Research and Development Consortium XI is proud to continuously sustain eight fruitful years in strengthening the research culture of Davao Region and its neighboring regions. Below are the winners of the 8^th Health R&D Expo:

Oral Presentation – Undergraduate Category
	Title	Institution	Authors
1^st Place	Utilization of Mango Seed Kernel for the Development of Antimicrobial Films	University of the Philippines Mindanao	Mary Grace Kristine L. Alimpolos, Noreen Grace V. Fundador, Rovi Gem E. Villame and Juma Novie A. Alviola
2^nd Place	Effectiveness of Sports Kinect as an adjunct exercise for Physical Therapy in upper limb functional motor skill training of post stroke patients	San Pedro College	Harlyn Libby A. Tan, Novah Adrianne Z. Gavia, Mary Leonore G. Maghuyop, Eric Leroy A. Belo and Frances Krysteen M. Ledesma
3^rd Place	Larvicidal Effect of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles against Aedes aegypti	San Pedro College	Daniel Adrienne L. Dejolde, Aryssa Katherine B. Lagman, Princess Shanna Mae L. Bernan, Kristine Kate P. Bernardo, Maria Karen S. Duron, Khanna Francheska T. Echavez, Mary Rose Fernandez, Isabela Lucita R. Francisco, Faith Corinth T. Lim, and Herbert Kent Arthur T. Toling
Oral Presentation – Graduate Category
	Title	Institution	Authors
1^st Place	Investigation of Possible Inhibitory Action of Philippine Crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) Serum on HIV-1 infectivity in-vitro to and After Attachment to human Peripheral Blood mononuclear cells	University of the Immaculate Conception	Alfredo Hinay, RMT, MSPH; Nelyn Mae Cadotdot, RMT, MSMT; and Marilou Tablizo, RPh
2^nd Place	Inhibition of Angiotensin-converting Enzyme by the Fractions of Onion Bulb (Allium cepa) and Shallot Bulb (Allium ascalonicum) Extracts	Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc.	Celine Angelica Garcia, Khristy Joy Flores, Mikko Gamalo, Gezer Gandeza, Celine Angelica Garcia, Naomi Francise Garcia, Jenn Lori Gepaya, Maria Gerber, Shera Heart Go, Ore May Faith Gomez, Sarah Myza Katrina Guinta, Roanne Paula Herrero and Jo Anne Himagan
3^rd Place	Antifungal Activity of Katakataka (Bryophyllum pinnatum) Against Pure Culture of Candida albicans and Oral Candidiasis-Induced Mice	Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc.	Clyde Vincent Pacatang, Ian Cezar Pangilan, Liane Rae Ivana Peñera, Ayeza Sheen Obenza, Al Sharif Omar, Nurshamin Aida Pahm, Bernard Pamaylaon, Maychel Panes, Miguel Lorenzo Pastoril, Risha-Ainne Pelayo and Paolo Ricardo Pepito
Poster Exhibit Competition – Undergraduate Category
	Title	Institution	Authors
1^st Place	Isolation, Characterization and In-Vitro HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitory Activity of Pectin Powder from the Peel of Calamansi (Citrus microcarpa)	University of the Immaculate Conception	Via Angela Bulangis, Ecel Diane Jickain, Abigail Lacang and Kate Loraine Pineda
2^nd Place	Hematologic Profile of Pesticide-Exposed Farmers in Brgy. Tibal-og, Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte	University of the Immaculate Conception	Meshane E. Bato-on, Arch Miguel V. Borneo, Angelica E. Cadorna, Patricia Kaye C. Estrada, Arvi Tzhaine A. Villanueva and Kimberly Marie S. Develos
3^rd Place	Phytochemical Detection of Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) Shoots and Blue Ternatea (Clitoria ternatea) Flowers	Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc.	Sharon Jenny F. Te
Poster Exhibit Competition – Graduate Category
	Title	Institution	Authors
1^st Place	Investigation of Possible Inhibitory Action of Philippine Crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) Serum on HIV-1 infectivity in-vitro to and After Attachment to human Peripheral Blood mononuclear cells	University of the Immaculate Conception	Alfredo Hinay, RMT, MSPH; Nelyn Mae Cadotdot, RMT, MSMT; and Marilou Tablizo, RPh
2^nd Place	Evaluation of the Anti-inflammatory Potential of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) and Pomelo (Citrus maxima) Leaf Extract through Lipoxygenase Inhibition with Emulsion-gel Preparation	University of the Immaculate Conception	Charity P. Redaniel
3^rd Place	Antifungal Activity of Katakataka (Bryophyllum pinnatum) Against Pure Culture of Candida albicans and Oral Candidiasis-Induced Mice	Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc.	Clyde Vincent Pacatang, Ian Cezar Pangilan, Liane Rae Ivana Peñera, Ayeza Sheen Obenza, Al Sharif Omar, Nurshamin Aida Pahm, Bernard Pamaylaon, Maychel Panes, Miguel Lorenzo Pastoril, Risha-Ainne Pelayo and Paolo Ricardo Pepito