A FACULTY member of the Cavite State University was hailed as a “Pinoy Science STAR” (Science and Technology Advocate for Research) by the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development, along with two others.

The DOST-PCIEERD and TikTok Philippines launched the Pinoy Science STAR Camp 2022 in August in search of potential science communicators.

Llyod Balinado of the CvSU’s Department of Biological Sciences was recognized for his final entry on Cellula TM Growth Chamber.

Cellula TM is a plant tissue culture growth chamber that aims “to aid the mass production of coffee and makapuno plantlets in a controlled, optimized, and suitable environmental conditions such as temperature, photoperiod, and relative humidity which is crucial for plant growth and development.”

“This technology project was funded by DOST-PCIEERD and led by Dr. Ruel Mojica and Engr. Gerry Castillo, both from the College of Engineering and Information Technology,” the university said.

“Balinado together with Mr. Jess Gabriel Belleza of Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory (ADMATEL), Romieleth Espillardo from Rizal Technological University will be the official content creators of Pinoy Science in all of its social media channels and will have access to DOST and DOST-PCIEERD learning and development activities and linkages opportunities,” it added.

The 10 finalists received a certificate, Pinoy Science and DOST-PCIEERD merchandise and TikTok merchandise, while the three winners received $500 with exclusive perks from TikTok.

Meanwhile, a special award was presented to Maricon Clyde Liwan from the University of the Cordilleras (Tiktok’s Choice Award), and Mark Angelou Siega from the University of Mindanao (DOST-PCIEERD’s Choice Award). Both received $250 worth of exclusive perks.