Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story erroneously mentioned UPLB as the host of the contest instead of UPLB Genetics Society. We have provided the necessary corrections in the article. We apologize for the mistake.
THOMASIANS emerged as champions in the 10th National Intercollegiate Genetics Quiz Contest (NIGQC) hosted by the University of the Philippines-Los Baños Genetics Society on Nov. 21.
Medical biology students Juniors Von Nivo de Leon, Joe Anthony Manzano and Jemillano Ordoñez garnered 52 points in the competition to outclass participants from 13 other universities.
The quiz bee was themed “The battle against Covid-19: Securing genetic differences and building immunogenetic barriers.”
Held via Zoom and Discord, the competition consisted of individual examinations and group quiz rounds.
“We joined this contest because the theme of this year’s quiz con is immunogenetics and Covid-19. We wanted to gain more insights on the applications of the science of genetics especially during these times of pandemic. And of course, representing UST will always be an honor,” Manzano, the team leader, told the Varsitarian.
The team was guided by College of Science faculty members Russell Venturina and Irvin Rondolo.
Rondolo said the team had to catch up with recent topics on Covid-19 and immunology as the students failed to finish the genetics course syllabus last semester due to the pandemic.
“To make amends, the team exerted so much effort to read up-to-date journal articles related to Covid-19 and other applications of immunology, aside from the basics of genetics,” Rondolo told the Varsitarian.
Ateneo de Manila University and the University of San Carlos in Cebu finished second and third, respectively.
The NIGQC is an annual competition that aims to raise the appreciation and inclination of college students toward the science of genetics. It was the University’s first time to participate in the event since 2016. Jamilah Mae Angco, Christine Joyce Paras
