STUDENTS from the Mariano Marcos State University took home several awards in the Oral Research Presentation Competition organized by the Region 1 Health Research Development Consortium.

Three groups of senior pharmacy students won the three highest awards after they successfully developed and implemented health studies which are in line with the national health agenda.

Claiming the first place was the group of principal investigator Geraldine Joy Corpuz, who studied “Brine Shrimp Toxicity and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Psychotria luzoniensis Leaf Methanol Crude Extract and its n- Hexane and Aqueous Enriched Fractions.”

MMSU said the research determined the ability of the tagpong-gubat, tagpo plant in reducing inflammation.

Other members of the group include Melvin Jay Santiago, Aloha Guia S. Baquel, Abigael B. Ramil, Neslie Lou D. Sobrepeña and Diane Rose Tomogbong.

Meanwhile, the group of Norianne Bolibol, Marianne Lorrainne Agcaoili, Neslie Jane Ebreo, Charmaine Joy M. Pagdilao and Sheena Lei Saladino placed second for their study on the formulation and evaluation of an antibacterial bar soap, made of oregano, lemongrass and karimbuaya.

A study on the anti-inflammatory activity of the crude extract and solvent fractions of bilagot leaves placed Lyzandra Vali Dumlao, Joelynn Aira Calingangan, Jake Rome Vember Cardenas, Alliah Gail Marie Macadangdang, and Melquizedek Salem on the third spot.

Prof. Ma Danica Ines-Ramil, Prof. Angelica May Mendoza and Prof. Julie Ann Gattoc served as the students’ advisers.

R1HRDC links together health researchers and institutions to facilitate activities attuned to local and regional health needs.

It aims to strengthen health research capabilities and encourage resource sharing among institutions in the Ilocos Region. Member institutions include hospitals, public and private schools, and regional offices.