The University of Santo Tomas through the College of Science (CS) and the College of Engineering in partnership with the BPI Foundation, Inc. and the Department of Science and Technology sponsored the 23rd BPI—DOST Science Awards 2012 on February 8, 2012, 2:00 p.m., at Albertus Magnus Auditorium.

This year, awardees from UST are Jose Albert V. Cruz, a B.S. Chemical Engineering student from the College of Engineering; Ernesto E. Paruli III, B.S. Chemistry student, and Jayson T. So, B.S. Applied Physics (Major in Instrumentation) student, both from the College of Science.

Mr. Cruz’s research project, Designing a Primary Battery Using Organic Materials (Chlorophyll) focused on producing a non-rechargeable battery made from organic or largely available materials. He averred, “Since we are now facing global warming, we need to focus on technology that will contribute on reducing climate change effects and the overuse of natural resources.”

In the case of Mr. Paruli, his project is titled, Fish Freshness Sensor based on Chitosan/ Citric Acid Coated Piezoelectric Qaurtz Crystal to Distinguish Fish Kill Goods. This involved the use of a sensor to test the freshness of milkfish. He said that this project may contribute to public health and welfare, a timely and relevant project when the country is “haunted by threats of milkfish coming from fish kill being sold to us.”

Mr. So, who shows interest in health and wellness as well as physics applications to medicine, worked on Urinalysis Using Impedance Technique. He developed a device that can determine the specific components of a person’s urine using electricity (impedance) and not chemical reagents. Thus, making the device reusable.

Prof. Maribel G. Nonato, Ph.D., Engr. Atty. Josefin S. De Alban, Jr., Dean of the College of Science and college of Engineering, respectively; VP Florendo G. Maranan, Executive Director of the BPI Foundation, Inc.; SVP Sylvia P. Yngente from the Bank of the Philippine Islands; and Engr. Robert Santiago, Project Officer of DOST NCR presented the awards.

Each BPI—DOST Science awardee received the following: cash prize received via the BPI Express Teller Account, a plaque of recognition, a letter offering a job position as a junior officer of the Bank, and the inscription of the awardees’ name in the roster of BPI Science Awardees permanently installed at the school campus which was unveiled during the program. Assoc. Prof. Rodrigo A. Litao, Ph.D., CS College Secretary, served as the master of ceremonies.