For undertaking a research study that sought to explain the orbits of electrons in heavier atoms, a BS Physics senior from the University of the Philippines-Diliman has won the Department of Science and Technology-Bank of the Philippine Islands "Best Project of the Year" award.

The DoST announced in a statement that Mikhail Solon’s project, entitled "Analysis of Selected Non-Linear and Non-Local Systems," topped 29 other research projects.

Solon’s report, which also attempts to describe plasma and heavier ions, won for him a cash incentive of P50,000 along with a P200,000 research grant from DoST, and a trophy from BPI.

The report has also been published in international and peer-reviewed publications such as Physics Letters A and Physics Review.

Ateneo de Manila University’s Stephen Co, meanwhile, was first runner-up for his work entitled "Design and Construction of a Synthetic Coconut Cadang Cadang Viroid cDNA." He will receive P30,000 cash prize from DoST and a trophy from BPI.

UP-Diliman’s Marvin Masalunga earned second runner-up honors for his project called "Genetic Diversity of Philippine Trichomonas vaginalis Isolates Using the 5.8S Ribosomal RNA Gene." He will take home P10,000 and a trophy from DoST and BPI.

A total of 27 projects from students in 10 partner-universities throughout the country vied for the award, which recognizes and provides incentives to graduating students who excel in mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering, computer science, and biology.

DoST-Science Education Institute director Ester B. Ogena challenged the students to become future scientists and engineers of the country.

Ogena said the DoST is currently implementing graduate programs to help improve the country’s global competitiveness.