Three students from the pioneer batch of the Undergraduate Research and Education Assistantship for Technology (uGREAT) Program in Mindanao State University-General Santos have earned academic distinctions.
The uGREAT Program is a capacity-building initiative of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) that encourages undergraduate students to pursue research and development in actual projects aligned with the Council’s strategic priorities. The Program will train a pipeline of researchers equipped to contribute to the sustainable development of the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector. It provided full support to the students' thesis work, including monthly assistantship allowance during their thesis semester, in addition to research expenses covered by the ₱5 million grant.
Under the project, “Tuna Research Exploring Keynotes (TREK): Charting the Health and Ecology of Tuna Species in Sarangani Bay,” Kent Daniel L. Pama was awarded Best Thesis for his research, “Prevalence and Intensity of Endoparasitic Infections in Neritic Tuna Species from Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape.” His work, which contributes significantly to the understanding of marine biodiversity and public health, received the distinction during the 2025 BS Biology Research Colloquium.
Two other uGREAT grantees, Meena Roaida O. Abdullah and Khylle Hechanova graduated cum laude, bringing pride to the TREK Project and the broader uGREAT community.
The TTREK Project, the inaugural research initiative under the uGREAT Program, is spearheaded by Dr. Christine Dawn G. Obemio, OIC Vice Chancellor for Research, Extension, and Innovation at the Mindanao State University – General Santos (MSU-GenSan).
The 15-month project engaged 15 fourth-year BS Biology students, who investigated five research themes centered on the health and ecology of neritic tuna species in Sarangani Bay. The TREK Project aims to generate critical data on the health status of these commercially and ecologically important species and assess the environmental conditions of their marine habitats.
Throughout their research journey, the students were mentored by academic advisers and technical committees, with valuable guidance and monitoring from personnel of DOST-PCAARRD, particularly from the Institution Development Division and the Marine Resources Research Division. These teams also participated in the students’ final thesis defenses.
“I am truly grateful to have been part of this project—it opened many opportunities for me. I stepped out of my comfort zone and even traveled to Iloilo to intern at the Philippine Genome Center to support my molecular biology work,” shared Rozel C. Gallega during her final thesis defense, as she expressed her appreciation of the program.
The 15 uGREAT grantees from MSU-Gensan are the following:
- Abdullah, Meena Roaida O.
- Basit, Pearl Necole M.
- Etom, Myca Curie D.
- Gallega, Rozel C.
- Gonzaga, Pia Gleare M.
- Hechanova, Khylle
- Macaya, Charmaine D.
- Mamalo, Marielle Jae B.
- Murillo, Joshua Daniel C.
- Onofre, April Sarah C.
- Pama, Kent Daniel L.
- Peligro, Princess Hannah S.
- Santiago, Christine Marie B.
- Tuling, Harvie Jay C.
- Villanueva, Alejandro III S.