By Kristine Joy S. Gumanao

PANABO CITY – Ms. Junilyn Relatado-Palope, a graduate of Davao del Norte State College (DNSC)’s Bachelor of Science in Fisheries major in Capture Fisheries and currently a staff under the Institute of Aquatic and Applied Sciences (IAAS), won best paper in the policy brief category of Southern Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research & Development Consortium (SMAARRDEC)’s Innovating AANR Solutions: A Student Research Conference.

The region-wide symposium was held at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), Obrero campus, Davao City, on December 1, 2023. The event featured presentations of research and development findings from various research endeavors of students, specifically in agriculture and aquatic sciences.

Ms. Relatado-Palope will represent the region at the national level of the same symposium. She presented her undergraduate thesis, “Sustainable Fisheries Management and Livelihood Enhancement in Barangay San Roque, Maco, Davao de Oro.” She was mentored by former IAAS faculty member Quirino M. Bero (deceased).