The academic year 2022-2023 witnessed the graduation of 13 scholars under the Graduate Research and Education Assistantship for Technology or GREAT) Program scholars from various universities. Among them, seven completed their Master’s degrees and six obtained their Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
The GREAT Program is a collaborative project by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and the DOST-Science Education Institute (SEl). It aims to provide technical and financial support to qualified graduate students for them to complete their graduate study program that is anchored on innovative programs and projects for the advancement of the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector.
This year’s graduates are from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Central Mindanao University, University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), Central Luzon State University, and De La Salle University (DLSU).
.png "Ms. Nadine Baldivia Coronado, a Master of Science in Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Management graduate who has been honored as the top student in the graduating MSc class of the UPLB Graduate School")
Ms. Nadine Baldivia Coronado, a Master of Science in Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Management graduate who has been honored as the top student in the graduating MSc class of the UPLB Graduate School
Among them is Ms. Nadine Baldivia Coronado, a Master of Science in Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Management graduate, who has been honored as the top student in the graduating Master of Science class of the UPLB Graduate School. She will receive the Academic Excellence Award during the 2023 UPLB Graduate School Hooding and Recognition Ceremonies on August 4, 2023.
Ms. Coronado's groundbreaking research, "Phenotypic and Genotypic Profiling of Selected Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Morphotypes from the Philippines," is a testament to her commitment to advancing the understanding and utilization of turmeric in the realms of medicine, economics, and ethnobotany. Her research focused on characterizing and evaluating different turmeric varieties to identify potential germplasm with high yield and curcumin content. Additionally, Ms. Coronado collaborated with the DOST-PCAARRD-funded project, "Genotypic, Agro-Morphological and Phytochemical Characteristics of Selected Turmeric (Curcuma Longa L.) Germplasm in the Philippines." She did this under the guidance of her thesis adviser and GREAT Program Alumnus, Prof. Renerio P. Gentallan Jr.
Together with Ms. Coronado, the graduated GREAT scholars are now eligible for a proposal-based re-entry research grant of up to P5 million each from DOST-PCAARRD when they return to their mother agencies.
Below are the names of the graduates, recognizing their successful completion of their respective academic programs.
Name | Degree | Course | University |
Coronado, Nadine Baldivia | MS | Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Management | University of the Philippines Los Baños |
De Torres, Rachele L. | MS | Plant Pathology | University of the Philippines Los Baños |
Iranista, Emille Joseph Astrera | MS | Plant Breeding | University of the Philippines Los Baños |
Menguito, Froilan Jay T. | MS | Forestry in Forest Biological Sciences | University of the Philippines Los Baños |
Oloc-oloc, Ian Bien Mariquilla | MS | Molecular Biology and Biotechnology | University of the Philippines Los Baños |
Rolloque, John Bryan C. | MS | Plant Pathology | University of the Philippines Los Baños |
Silaras, Mark Leonard S. | MS | Environmental Science | University of the Philippines Visayas – Tacloban College |
Barba, Roberto, B. | PhD | Plant Breeding | University of the Philippines Los Baños |
Bautista, Lemark M. | PhD | Aquaculture | University of the Philippines Visayas |
Camacho, Ernie C. | PhD | Horticulture | Central Mindanao University |
De Guia, Arren Christian M. | PhD | Aquaculture | Central Luzon State University |
Luzon, Katrina S. | PhD | Biology | De La Salle University |
Pamunag, Rictibert C. | PhD | Soil Science | Central Mindanao University |
As the GREAT Program reaches its sixth year of implementation, it has accredited 11 universities and has awarded assistantships to 108 exceptional students. Of these, 55 have already graduated and another 43 are currently pursuing their studies in seven study posts across the country.
The commitment of DOST-PCAARRD, through the GREAT Program, remains steadfast in providing both technical and financial support to qualified graduate students, ensuring they complete their programs on time and produce quality research that serves as a driving force for innovative programs and projects in the AANR Sector.