L-NU Faculty Researchers Shine in 2025 Research and Innovation Week Forum
October 28-29, 2025
As part of Lyceum-Northwestern University’s 2025 Research and Innovation Week held from October 24 to 29, 2025, the University staged the Faculty Research Forum on October 28–29, 2025, bringing together faculty members to showcase their research outputs and promote a strong culture of innovation and academic excellence.
The two-day forum served as a vibrant venue for knowledge exchange and scholarly engagement, featuring a total of 24 faculty presenters, 12 from the Health and Natural Sciences and 12 from the Non-Health Sciences, who demonstrated the depth and diversity of research across the University’s academic units.
Opening the event, Dr. Cynthia P. Lopez, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension, underscored the importance of integrating research engagement into the University’s Performance Management System (PMS) to align with the Balanced Scorecard objectives. She highlighted that through consistent research participation, faculty members contribute not only to institutional performance but also to sustainable development and societal advancement.
The panel of judges for the paper presentations included Dr. Nora F. Benavides, Head of the College of Arts and Sciences – Natural Sciences Department and faculty member of the Institute of Graduate and Professional Studies (IGPS); Dr. Perla E. Legaspi, Head of the IGPS Public Administration Program; and Dr. Lopez herself.
Aside from the oral presentations, the forum also featured a Poster Paper Presentation Competition, offering another platform for faculty researchers to creatively present their findings through visual and technical displays.
The panel of judges for the poster paper competition included Ms. Annalie L. Rosales, President of the Philippine Association of Food Technologists, Inc. – North Luzon Chapter; Dr. Kristine Tamayo, Faculty of IGPS and OIC- Principal of Daniel Maramba National High School; and Dr. Jun Camara, Faculty of Education, Pangasinan State University, and Founder and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Educators for Learning Assessment and Research Education, Inc.
The first day featured a series of research presentations across different disciplines, while the second day continued with additional paper presentations and culminated with the announcement of winners in both oral and poster categories.
List of Winners
Best Presenter – Health & Natural Sciences Category
🏆 1st Place: John Marc S. Rosario
College of Arts and Sciences – Natural Sciences Department
Avifaunal Diversity Assessment and Seasonal Variation Across Cropping Seasons in Barangay Macayocayo, Bayambang, Pangasinan, Philippines
🥈 2nd Place: Rajie Mae Montaniel
College of Arts and Sciences – Natural Sciences Department
Microplastic Assessment of Seagrass Sediments in Victoria, Alaminos City, Pangasinan
🥉 3rd Place: Versitalyn Manuel
College of Nursing
Navigating Social Stigma and Discrimination Amidst Rising HIV Cases: Lived Experiences
Best Presenter – Non-Health Sciences Category
🏆 1st Place: Blessie V. Lagare
College of Engineering
Micro-Hydroegene: Energy Production from Waste Pool Water Plus Fabrication of Hydraulic Perpetual Motion
🥈 2nd Place: Beverly D. Quezon
College of Criminal Justice Education
Level of Implementation of Provincial Ordinance No. 325-2024: Mandatory Wearing of Reflectorized Vest
🥉 3rd Place: Marissa Junatas
College of Information and Computing Studies
PARENTLINKED: A Parent-Child Portal for Primary Students
Best Poster Paper – Health & Natural Sciences Category
🏆 1st Place: The Antibacterial Activity of the Formulated Liquid Hand Soap from the Saponin Content of the Leaf and Stem of Pansit-Pansitan (Peperomia pellucida)
College of Pharmacy – Gwen Ysabella V. Escaño & Shirley D. Quiñones
🥈 2nd Place: Feeding on Fungi: Morphology and Role of Nematodes in Rhizophora Mangrove Sediments
College of Arts and Sciences – Natural Sciences Department – HJ Marcilla, JM Salundaga, J. Frias, & JD Abellera
🥉 3rd Place: Abaca (Musa textilis Nee) Fiber as an Alternative Dental Retraction Cord
College of Dentistry – Rojean L. Gregorio, Aubrey D. Manalili, Rachel B. Navarro, Mickaella C. Zabala, Evangeline Padlan, & Sheryl Roman
Best Poster Paper – Non-Health Sciences Category
🏆 1st Place: FLOODGUARD: Integrated Flood Monitoring and Warning System for Dagupan City
College of Information and Computing Studies – Clairole Sahm B. Ferrer & Cristian C. Cabungan
🥈 2nd Place: BOLINAOLEX: A Unique Native Language Dictionary Application of Bolinao
College of Information and Computing Studies – Darwin Castillo, Ellyson Viernes, Roi Magkalas, & Bryan O. Mislang
🥉 3rd Place: From Suggestion to Persuasion: Insuring the Uninsured with Word of Mouth Approach
College of Business Education – Angely Mae C. Caacbay, Shaira R. Piol, & Genoveva Y. Reyes
Concluding the two-day event, Dr. Lopez extended her congratulations to all the participants for their dedication and hard work in advancing the University’s research agenda. She encouraged faculty members to continue developing innovative research outputs by engaging in collaborative projects, publishing in reputable journals, and transforming research findings into practical solutions that address real-world challenges.