MMSU-Research Directorate

MMSU concludes 2026 Agency In-House Research Review

The Research Directorate of Mariano Marcos State University successfully concluded the three-day 2026 Agency In-House Research Review (AIHRR) on May 22, 2026, at the Center for Flexible Learning.

The annual research review gathered faculty and full-time researchers from the different colleges and research centers of the university to present ongoing and completed research projects across various disciplines.

During the three-day activity, a total of 67 research projects were presented, of which 28 were completed studies, while the remaining were ongoing research.

Of the total presentations, 32 research projects were presented in Session 1, covering Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources, Climate Change and Environment, and Food, Health and Wellness. Meanwhile, 35 studies were presented under Session 2, which focused on Computer Science and Information Technology, Engineering and Industry, and Education, Science, Humanities, Culture and Arts.

The AIHRR serves as a platform for evaluating the progress, quality, and impact of research initiatives in the university while fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among researchers and experts.

Through the AIHRR, MMSU continues to strengthen its research culture and uphold its commitment to generating relevant and responsive research outputs that contribute to innovation and community development.

https://research.mmsu.edu.ph/news/details/mmsu-concludes-2026-agency-in-house-research-review

MMSU Honors Outstanding Student Research in 2026 UREA

Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), through the Research Directorate, conducted the 2026 Undergraduate Research Excellence Awards (UREA) on May 19 at the Center for Flexible Learning, recognizing outstanding undergraduate theses across various disciplines.

A total of 41 research entries from different colleges competed in four categories:
🔹 Education
🔹 Life and Health Sciences
🔹 Physical Sciences, Engineering, and IT
🔹 Social Sciences, Humanities, Culture, and the Arts

Research Director Dr. Dionisio S. Bucao emphasized the importance of undergraduate research in addressing societal challenges, fostering innovation, and strengthening a culture of inquiry and collaboration among students.

Representing MMSU President Dr. Virgilio Julius P. Manzano Jr., VP for Academic Affairs Dr. Aris Reynold T. Cajigal highlighted how research prepares students not only to become professionals but also thinkers, innovators, and problem-solvers.

Winners per Category

🏅 Education Category
🥇 First Place
“Enhancing Grade 9 Students' Proficiency in Writing Conditional Sentences Through Colored Card Game: WhoKnows?” by Christine Kaye P. Dela Cruz, Trisha Ivy G. Dela Rosa, Ryan Joseph C. Dumbrique, Jeff C. Geralde, and Karyl G. Paz (CTE)
🥈 Second Place
“Ilokano Mothers’ Lived Experiences in Rearing Children for Early Childhood English Language Learning” by Maxene Janel C. Batangan (CAS)
🥉 Third Place
“Enhancing Grade 7 Students' Mastery of Transitional Words in Writing Informative Essays Through ConnecTunes” by Matt Andrew J. Ancheta, Bea Kriz Q. Fernandez, Cedrick Jezrael L. Mateo, Jherly Helaena I. Valencia, and Joshua A. Villanueva (CTE)

🏅 Life And Health Sciences Category
🥇 First Place
“Mutations in Beta Globin (HBB) Gene Promoter and Effect in Transcription and Hematological Parameters” by Yousef Abdulrahman E. Lawal and Norman C. Garvida (CAS)
🥈 Second Place
“In vitro and In vivo Antihyperglycemic Activity of Bamboo Shoot (Bambusa spinosa) Enriched with Lactobacillus hilgardii Cell Free Supernatant” by Rachel Anne M. Valera, Danica Jane S. Agni, Shamel Nikkie S. Luis, and John Carlo C. Quimoyog (CHS)
🥉 Third Place (Tie)
“Influence of Lure Color on the Catch Efficiency, S*x Composition, and Gonado-Somatic Index (GSI) of Common Octopus (Octopus vulgaris) Using Simple Handline in Burgos, Ilocos Norte” by Yveth Yra C. Rafin and Philmark Laurenti O. Bumanglag (CASAT)
🥉 Third Place (Tie)
“Isolation and Identification of Putative Probiotic Bacteria from Onion (Allium cepa L.) Rhizosphere” by Trinity C. Meteoro (CAFSD)

🏅 Physical Sciences, Engineering, And Information Technology Category
🥇 First Place
“Automated Measurement of Range of Motion and Detection of Joint Abnormalities in the Bilateral Upper Extremities Using Convolutional Neural Network” by Simon Zane S. Asis, Albert P. Castillo, Jayden Dale A. Geronimo, and Justin M. Viernes (COE)
🥈 Second Place
“Development of AI-Based Document Tracking and Management System” by Goldwynne Maeyr M. Villar, Precious Pia D. Yodico, Althea Margharette Caranto, and Isagani V. Andres (CCIS)
🥉 Third Place
“Notiface: Face Recognition-Based Parent Notification System” by Clarence A. Ballesteros, Shadrach Rover W. Bawingan, Rostum M. Borugsay, Altheia Marie S. Cruzado, Jerome P. Domingo, and Stanford Wendy A. Fernandez (CIT)

🏅 Social Sciences, Humanities, Culture, And The Arts Category
🥇 First Place
“Loom to Legacy: Assessing the Sustainability of Inabel Weaving in Pinili, Ilocos Norte Amid Generational Decline” by Jasmine E. Agoot, Queenie D. Andres, Learnelyn Aquino, Zairene F. Aquino, Maxeene Grace M. Buduan, Denmark Karl A. Cabaloan, Jewel Vin A. Dela Cruz, Tyrone A. Dela Rosa, Danica L. Manuel, Dyryn Jill D. Pagdilao, Adriana Earl Pascual, and Eden Grace A. Suguitan (CBEA)
🥈 Second Place
“The Effectiveness of Pandanggo Ilocano Dance in Improving Gait Speed and Balance among Elderly: A Quasi-Experimental Study” by Jea Mae B. Ancheta, Athaliah A. Calivoso, Glaiza Chrishel Q. Calventosa, Cris Mar H. Clemente, Gabrielle Jean T. Cristy, Carl Cedrick G. Flojo, and Jianne Claire M. Santos (CHS)
🥉 Third Place
“Development of an Interactive Filipino Sign Language Learning Application” by Karla Denise A. Nalupta, Paul Andrew C. Pingkian, Marrione Lenard V. Flores, and Karl Zandro Pante (CCIS)

The UREA is part of MMSU’s continuing commitment to foster a vibrant student research culture and promote innovative studies that contribute to national development and community progress.

Congratulations to all awardees, advisers, and colleges for bringing pride and excellence to the university community! 🎉👏

https://research.mmsu.edu.ph/news/details/mmsu-recognizes-outstanding-undergraduate-research-in-2026-excellence-awards

New Journal Article Highlights MMSU’s Work on Gamma-Irradiated Local Garlic

Research output from the Mariano Marcos State University-Garlic Research Center (GRC) has reached the international scientific community with the publication of an article in Plant Science Today, a Q4 journal as indexed by Scimago. The publication highlights the center’s continuing efforts to support the Philippine garlic industry through science-based approaches.

The paper, titled “Impact of Gamma Irradiation Doses on Early Growth of Philippine Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Varieties”, was conducted by researchers Jeremay Q. Layaoen, Noralyn B. Legaspi, Raymund Julius G. Rosales, Dionisio S. Bucao, Micah Benize S. Gregorio-Balbas, and Clarita O. Palacio.

The study focused on the effects of gamma irradiation – a powerful tool used in enhancing crop quality and production by inducing useful mutations. Specifically, it determined the effects of varying gamma irradiation levels on the early growth characteristics of five National Seed Industry Council (NSIC)-registered garlic varieties namely Ilocos Pink, Ilocos White, Ilocos Tan Bolters, Mexican, and MMSU Gem.

In the study, researchers observed that gamma irradiation generally had an inhibitory effect on plant height, leaf length, leaf count, and root length especially at higher levels, while root count improved at certain doses, and the most effective dose differed among the five garlic varieties. This pattern indicates that some varieties respond positively in specific traits at particular irradiation levels even as other traits are reduced, resulting to a variety-dependent response.

The findings of the study provide essential baseline information for mutation breeding and studies on gamma irradiation as a tool for crop improvement in garlic, helping enhance the local garlic production in the Philippines. Moreover, the study serves as a foundation for further molecular-level studies to highlight desirable genetic traits induced by gamma irradiation.
Through this research, the MMSU Garlic Research Center continues to contribute to scientific advancement and development of innovative solutions and strategies in strengthening the country’s garlic industry.

The once-wild singkamas (Kamas-bakir) now thrives and bears pods even through the summer months! Its young pods are cooked into dinegndeng

Welcome to NRCMC

Welcome to NRCMC!!!

The Natural Resources Conservation and Management Center (NRCMC) is a research center of the Mariano Marcos State University-Research Directorate based at the Crops Research Laboratory in the City of Batac, Ilocos Norte.

We are committed to advancing science, technology and innovation for sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, ecological sustainability and resilient communities.

Through research, technology development, and partnerships, NRCMC bridges S&T, the environment and community—transforming knowledge and generated technologies into real-world solutions.

📍 Crops Research Laboratory, MMSU, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte
📞 09274828254
📧 [email protected]

Follow us and be part of our journey.

The Crops Research Division (CRD) of DOST-PCAARRD recently reviewed the progress of the project titled “Metabolomic Analysis of Philippine Garlic Cultivars for Varietal Improvement towards the Enhancement of Garlic Nutritional Value.” This initiative aims to generate a comprehensive metabolomic profile of selected local Philippine garlic cultivars to support varietal improvement and enhance their nutritional and functional food value.

During the review, Project Leader Peter James Icalia-Gann of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), presented the project’s key accomplishments for its first year of implementation. To date, the project has generated significant outputs in metabolite profiling, starch and sulfur-related food-value assessment, garlic oil extraction and quality evaluation, and initial measurements of phytochemical and bioactivity-related parameters.

The meeting was attended by representatives from MMSU, DOST Region I, and DOST-PCAARRD, led by CRD Director Leilani D. Pelegrina, CRD Program Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) Section Head Kristine Joy P. de Guzman, Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) Manager for Vegetables Joel Norman R. Panganiban, CRD-Vegetables, Legumes, and Rootcrops Technical Support Staff Elena May N. Cabarrubias, and S&T Consultant Eufrocinio C. Marfori.

🕊️ In Loving Memory

With deep sorrow and heartfelt sympathy, we mourn the passing of Ms. Ma. Concepcion Baga Birginias, Statistician of the Research Directorate of Mariano Marcos State University, who passed away on April 7, 2026.

Ms. Birginias was an active researcher and the one in charge of the MMSU-RD’s Soil and Water Laboratory. Among her recent notable accomplishments as a researcher was leading the team who developed the ‘Alokon’ propagation technology—an important contribution to the University’s research and innovation efforts.

Her expertise, dedication, and quiet diligence greatly contributed to the advancement of research and innovation at the University. She was instrumental in supporting researchers and students and ensuring the integrity and quality of data and laboratory services.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, she will be remembered for her kindness, humility, and the warmth she shared with everyone she encountered.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time. May they find comfort in the memories she leaves behind and strength in the love that surrounds them.

🕯️ Rest in eternal peace our dear Macon.

Directorate

Call for papers is still open! Submission deadline is April 15, 2026.

🔍 𝙂𝙤𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜?

The Science & Technology Journal is now accepting papers for 𝘝𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘦 𝘟𝘐, 𝘐𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘦 𝘕𝘰. 1!

🌱 Agriculture | 🔬 Basic Sciences | ⚙️ Engineering | 🏥 Health & Medicine | 🌍 Social Sciences

📅 Deadline: April 15, 2026
🔗 Submit here: https://st-journal.mmsu.edu.ph/index.php/stjournal/author-guidelines
📱 Or scan the QR code in the poster

𝘛𝘢𝘨 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳!