Research teams from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) won first prize in both paper and poster competition during the 11^th CAS Student-Faculty Research Conference. The winners received cash awards and certificates from the Dean’s Office, and also Samsung Galaxy watches from the event sponsor, Samsung R&D Philippines. The rest of the winners likewise received cash awards and certificate.

The latest joint research conference, held last November 19, gathered some 280 participants at the CAS Auditorium. This year’s theme was “Fostering interdisciplinary research partnerships and collaborative academic engagements for the greater public good.”

The keynote lecture, delivered by Prof. Nina T. Castillo-Carandang of UP Manila – College of Medicine, immediately followed the opening message of CAS Dean Felino P. Lansigan. The keynote speaker, a Health Social Scientist from the Department of Clinical Epidemiology whose topic focused on “Where Science begins: Reflections on interdisciplinary research and collaboration,” described the different types of cross-disciplinary teaming, among them interdisciplinary research (IDR).

Taking off from a personal anecdote depicting how science came to be promoted in her family during dinner table talks, Professor Castillo-Carandang proceeded with her main message delving into the key conditions for successful IDR at academic institutions. These conditions, she noted, are Building Bridges, Supporting the Project, Facilities, and Organization/Administration. She emphasized that leadership and mentoring are very important;  so are integrating interdisciplinary research into instruction and taking steps to keep talented faculty. In the ensuing open forum, Professor Castillo-Carandang further noted that IDR requires scientists to be experts in their own field, to be team players, and to be good communicators as well.

 The husband-and-wife tandem of Dr. Ruel Nacario and Dr. Gladys Completo, from UPLB’s Institute of Chemistry, jointly presented their insights in the plenary talks, discussing their interdisciplinary research on tuberculosis and lunch cancer. They encouraged a healthy collaboration among various groups. Following the morning plenary session and open forum with brief dialogues discussing how to integrate research in social science and natural science, the poster session and concurrent oral paper presentations began.

A total of 67 studies, presented under seven clusters, covered various issues concerning health, diversity, education, development, data science, and other basic research topics. The total yield consists of 22 poster and 45 oral papers presenters. Capping the event during the closing program, Dr. Nina M. Cadiz of the Institute of Biological Sciences synthesized the lectures, the important points raised, and the takeaways  from the conference. She also assessed whether or not the event achieved its objectives, and concluded that goals were met but can still be improved.

The winners in the 11^th CAS Student-Faculty Research Conference paper competitions are as follows:

Oral Paper Competition Winners:

1. 1^st Place – Yambot JL and Cambel R (INSTAT), Identifying common Misconceptions in Statistics
2. 2^nd Place – Comia LN, Reyes JRS, Grajo JDL, Mendoza JJO, Vasquez MSC, Talento MSDP, Ebal LPA, and Reforsado JAP (INSTAT), An Instrument Prototype in Assessing the Preparedness for Higher Level Statistics Courses of Students from the K to 12 Program
3. 3^rd Place – Aragones, PKC and Pabico JP (ICS), A Multi-Platform System for Tracking Roaming Personnel

Poster Paper Competition Winners:

1. 1^st Place – Yambot JL, Borromeo M, and Gayosa E (INSTAT), Live to Work or Work to Live? Gender differences in the perception of work-life balance among UPLB Employees
2. 2^nd Place – Gallardo AV, Gepanayao A, Santiago S, and Adajar, JCO (IBS), Histopathological Studies on Severe Colchicine Overdose in Mouse (Mus musculus) Liver and Intestine
3. 3^rd Place – Galang E, Quick WP, Lin HC, Villa NO, and Duka, IMA (IBS), Transcriptome, Metabolome, and Phenotype Characterization and Analyses of Rice Conferring Glycine Decarboxylase-H Knockdown ∎

— CG Banaay