Louisian researchers took center stage at the Saint Louis University (SLU) “Innovations in Creatives, Research, Extension and Technology” or iCREaTe 2026, held from 23 to 26 March 2026. Themed “Transforming Society Through Research, Innovation, & Extension,” the event brought together outstanding researchers from all schools of SLU, spearheaded by the Research, Innovation and Sustainable Extension (RISE) Center.
Across all four days, Silang lobby came alive with displays of summaries of all research submissions of the event, along with samples of products and other materials in relation to the participants’ work.
The paper presentations held at Fr. Francis Gevers Hall, Diego Silang Building, SLU Main Campus featured diverse topics and subjects of development in the institution.
On the first day, immediately following the event’s opening ceremony, the presentations of the School of Accountancy, Management, Computing and Information Studies in the morning and the School of Nursing, Allied Health and Biological Sciences in the afternoon were conducted.
The second day showcased the research from SLU’s extension program, gathering faculty, Extension Program Coordinators (EPCs), and community partners in a meaningful exchange of scholarship and mission. The EPCs presented their research proposals for impact assessments, embodying both academic rigor and a missionary spirit while demonstrating their commitment to the holistic betterment of the communities they serve. Guests from partner communities enriched the session with their presence, affirming the relevance of the projects and strengthening the bond between the university and the people.
The panel members, Benguet State UniversityVice President for Academics Janet Pablo, PhD and SLU Religion Department Head Ramonchito Lucas, PhD offered valuable insights with patience and love for mission and research, guiding the presenters toward deeper reflection and scholarly commitment. The event concluded with gratitude and renewed encouragement to continue advancing SLU’s extension mission—transformative and life-giving—with One Heart and One Soul.
In the afternoon, SLU Basic Education School repositioned the spotlight on young Louisian researchers.
On 25 March research presentations were on the papers from the School of Engineering and Architecture and the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts.
On 26 March, the morning session marked a string of discussions and evaluations for the School of Advanced Studies, School of Law, and School of Medicine. The schools presented their studies before their respective panels, evaluated accordingly based on their presentation and the content of their research.
iCREate 2026 : Closing and Awarding
The afternoon of the final day, 26 March 2026, concluded the week’s academic discussions and evaluations, featuring the brilliant young researchers nurtured by the University’s research promoters and facilitators.
The closing and awarding ceremonies commenced with the opening remarks from Research Services and Capacitation Officer, Laarni Natividad, PhD who reiterated the significance of this event for the University and its researchers. She then provided an overview of the awards that were presented.
In acknowledgment of the most outstanding researchers, the University acclaimed the following studies and presenters:
School of Accountancy, Management, Computing and Information Studies (SAMCIS)
Best Paper: “Experienced Social Benefits of 4Ps Beneficiaries”
Best Presenter: John Trif Lopez Pacho
School of Nursing, Allied Health and Biological Sciences (SONAHBS)
Best Paper: “Effectiveness of Post-Clinical Rotation Reflective Journaling on the Critical Enhancement”
Best Presenters: Bianca Alessandra Bala & Francis Angelo Sacia
Basic Education School (BEdS)
Best Paper: “Roast-Dependent Variation in the Molecular Cargo and Antioxidant Activity of the Coffee-Derived (Coffee arabica) Exosome-Like Nanoparticles”
Best Presenter: James Arvic Salindong
School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA)
Best Paper: “Strengthening An Extension Partner Community’s Disaster, Risk Reduction, And Management Program Through Operations Research And Informations Systems Approaches
Best Presenter: Hans Frederick Aragona
School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA)
Best Paper: “Land Rootedness, Stonewalls and Frameworks, Intersections between Lived Tradition and Disaster Governance through the Lens of the Cultural Heritage Risk and Resilience Scorecard”
Best Presenter: Klint Aldrick M. Salazar & Christine Taccad
School of Advanced Studies (SAS), School of Law (SOL) and School of Medicine (SOM)
Best Paper: “Design and Development of a Decentralized Land Registration Prototype Using Blockchain Technology”
Best Presenter: Gilbert Bernardino
Extension Program
Best Paper: “Impact Assessment of Strengthening the Capacity of Barangay Local Health Board in Managing Hypertension Among Datakan Indigenous People”
Best Presenter: Engr. Maurice Licdan
Best Video Presentation: Engr. Joana Marie Obfan
As the formal capstone of the week-long celebration, Richel Lamadrid, PhD, Director of the Research, Innovation, and Sustainable Extension (RISE) Center, delivered closing remarks expressing the RISE Center and the University’s deep gratitude for everyone’s active participation and contributions.
Dr. Lamadrid highlighted how the presentations proved that innovation is the heartbeat of SLU as an institution. “You have transformed abstract ideas into tangible solutions,” she said, ending the program by encouraging the participants to keep the spirit of the University alive by carrying this momentum and nurturing their seeds of curiosity, in anticipation of next year’s iCREaTe.
iCREaTe 2026 has manifested the University’s resolve to declare the institution as a major center of research, learning and excellence in conjunction with its missionary identity, Missio et Excellentia. Furthermore, it reinforced the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 (Quality Education) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). (Article by Kemm Mitchell Olarte and Kassandra Marie Lucero, UIO Interns / Photos by John Aaron Bagni, Mariam Qatarina Santos and Zen Aundri Carreon, UIO Interns)
