SU bolsters research arm, kickstarts university-wide research coordinators’ orientation

Dr. Robert S. Guino-o II, interim executive director for Research, Publication, and Innovation, leads the Research Coordinators’ Orientation at the CBA Presentation Room.

In a concerted effort to strengthen its research arm, Silliman University (SU) gathered research coordinators from the different academic units for an orientation on its newly established Research, Publication, and Innovation Office, highlighting its organizational structure and its functions as well as other research-related initiatives, on March 5, 2025, at the College of Business Administration (CBA) MBA Presentation Room.

Underscoring the importance of research and knowledge production in the university, Dr. Margaret Helen U. Alvarez, interim vice president for Academic Affairs and Research (VPAAR), explained that “the research subdivision is a necessary partner to the Academic Affairs.”

Dr. Margaret Helen U. Alvarez, interim vice president for Academic Affairs and Research (VPAAR) delivers her opening remarks.

“In the academe, we’re supposed to strike a balance among our responsibilities. Being a researcher requires dedication, hard work, and more than a little inspiration,” Alvarez added.

An initiative by the Office of the Executive Director for Research, Publication, and Innovation (EDRPI) under Dr. Robert S. Guino-o II, interim executive director and concurrent Silliman University Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management (SUAKCREM) director, the Research Coordinators’ Orientation aimed to review the new organizational structure and gather key insights into the research landscape in the university.

Under the new RPI are four sub-units, including (1) Institutional Research, (2) Instruction & Program Research, (3) Innovation & Technology Support, and (4) Publication. The first two units connect with the long-established Research and Development Center (RDC) under Dr. Enrique G. Oracion, RDC director; the third unit connects with the Technology Business Incubator (TBI) under Asst. Prof. Janice Antoniette V. Forster, TBI manager, and the Knowledge Technology Transfer Office under Asst. Prof. Klint V. Austero, KTTO manager; and the final unit connects with Publication, liaised by Dr. Warlito S. Caturay Jr., Silliman Journal editor.

Dr. Guino-o II talks about the proposed roles and responsibilities of a research coordinator.

From January 2024 to 2025, according to data presented by Guino-o II, 514 studies requested for a certificate of ethics clearance. However, only 44 of these were published. There are nine internally funded and 62 externally funded research, with 62 research having potential commercial applications according to the KTTO.

The orientation also included sessions on (1) Research Support Within and Outside the University, including University Research Grant presented by Oracion and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Research Grant by Dr. Aye Mee F. Bartocillo; (2) Enhancing Research Visibility Through Digital Presence by Dr. Dave E. Marcial, Mariano C. Lao Global Studies Center director; and (3) Proposed Roles and Responsibilities of a Research Coordinator by Guino-o II.

It was followed by an open forum and a final presentation on Interactive Corners to Innovation, Patent, and Publication by Caturay ; Forster; and Austero.

Participants during the Research Coordinators’ Orientation pose after the event.

Present at the event were representatives from different units including Assoc. Prof. Flora M. Yrad, CAS – Chemistry Department; Asst. Prof. Kaye M. Paglinawan, CAS – Physics; Asst. Prof. Yushabel M. Romagos, CAS – Biology; LJ B. Lamboloto, CAS – Philosophy; Dr. Myra V. Waddington, CAS – Social Work; Dr. Michele Joan D. Valbuena, CAS – Psychology; Lady Jynkippie N. Partosa, CAS – Chemistry; Asst. Prof. Ronald B. Kinilitan, CAS – Filipino Department; Dr. Jean C. Nalam, Divinity School; Engr. George Bernard E. Carlos, CED; Asst. Prof. Maria Lourdes S. Curativo, CCS; Dr. Mark Anthony Salve, SPAG; Jeffryl Kae S. Pandac, ICLS; Asst. Prof. Minerva G. Marcial, IRS; Dr. Aileen P. Maypa, IEMS; Asst. Prof. Diomar C. Abrio, COPVA; Jin Genove, College of Education; Dr. Leave Nita T. Verdillo, School of Medicine; Dr. Madeline B. Quiamco, CMC; Atty. Golda S. Benjamin, College of Law; Nurhielmina M. Hinaut, CAS – Pharmacy; Nasser C. Acuram, CBA; Cyflor Putong, UREC; Kaycee L. Melon, CAS – English and Literature Department; Dr. Freslyn Lim-Saco, College of Nursing; and Dr. Kent E. Carpenter, Silliman University Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management (SUAKCREM) associate researcher.