The UP Diliman Department of Mechanical Engineering (UPD DME) held its Undergraduate Research and Capstone Colloquium 2026 on June 11, 2026, bringing together undergraduate students and faculty members for a day of research presentations, engineering design discussions, and recognition of academic achievements.
The event featured plenary sessions at the Engineering Theater, parallel research presentations in Melchor Hall classrooms, and a capstone poster exhibit along the Melchor Hall corridors. These activities provided students with opportunities to present their undergraduate research and design projects, discuss their methodologies and findings, and share the practical applications of their work.
The colloquium also highlighted the range of research and design interests pursued by UPD DME students, including computational fluid dynamics, thermal management, biomedical engineering, materials engineering, and aerospace applications.
Readers interested in learning more about the undergraduate research and capstone projects presented during the colloquium may access the Undergraduate Research and Capstone Colloquium 2026 Book of Abstracts, which provides further information about the students’ research work.
Following the presentations and exhibitions, UPD DME recognized students for their academic performance, undergraduate project selections, and outstanding thesis work.
Student Academic Awards
The Student Academic Awards recognized undergraduate students who earned the highest grades in the Department’s designated academic course clusters. These awards acknowledged academic performance across different areas of mechanical engineering.
The following students received recognition:
White Core Courses
- Simon Lemmuel P. Acol
Thermal and Fluids Engineering
- Miguel Alvaro S. Tamase
Dynamics and Control
- Simon Lemmuel P. Acol
- Warren Dominic O. Beltran
- Jose Rafael C. Locsin
- Trisha Mae F. Roque
- Miguel Alvaro S. Tamase
Mechanics and Materials
- Warren Dominic O. Beltran
- Nathan Joshua B. Frialde
Product Engineering and Manufacturing
- Jose Rafael C. Locsin
The awards recognized students who demonstrated strong academic performance in the different areas covered by the mechanical engineering curriculum.
Undergraduate Project Competition 2026 Selections
The colloquium also recognized undergraduate research and design projects selected to represent UPD DME in the Undergraduate Project Competition 2026.
The selections were determined through a panel evaluation and voting process, identifying projects for endorsement to the competition.
Six projects were selected across two categories:
Research Category
Thermomechanical Performance Evaluation of Shape Memory Polymer Composites for CubeSat Antenna Deployment
Researchers: Simon Lemmuel Acol and Chryshel Ysa Leano
CFD Study of the Effect of Flow-Diverter Stent Strut Geometry on Hemodynamics in Cerebral Aneurysms
Researchers: Andrew Jacob Buensalido and Allyson Cabrestante
Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm Optimization of Thin Phase Change Material Packets for Smartphone Thermal Management by Computational Fluid Dynamics and Polynomial Response Surface Surrogates
Researchers: Paul Eric De Silva and Justin Nolan Garcia
Design Category
BiDaKidney: a Low-Cost Simple and Lightweight Peritoneal Dialysis Machine
Designers: Andrew Jacob Buensalido and Allyson Cabrestante
Fleximeter: A Low-Cost Digital Arthrometer
Designers: Tobit Raphael Casillano and Hans Albert Sengco
AnkoFlex: A Portable, Adjustable, and Easy-to-Use Ankle Rehabilitation Device
Designers: Vincent Daniel Co and Jose Rafael Locsin
The selected projects demonstrate the application of mechanical engineering principles to different technical challenges, ranging from biomedical devices and rehabilitation technologies to thermal management and aerospace-related research.
Best Thesis Awards
Another highlight of the recognition program was the presentation of the Best Thesis Awards, recognizing undergraduate research projects that received the highest evaluations based on faculty assessment rubrics.
The awards recognized the following research projects, student researchers, and thesis advisers:
Best Thesis: “CFD Study of the Effect of Flow-Diverter Stent Strut Geometry on Hemodynamics in Cerebral Aneurysms“
Researchers:
- Andrew Jacob V. Buensalido
- Allyson S. Cabrestante
Thesis Adviser: Dr. Binoe E. Abuan
The study examined how variations in the geometry of flow-diverter stent struts affect blood-flow behavior in cerebral aneurysms through computational fluid dynamics.
Second Best Thesis: “Optimization of a Wall Panel Structure for 2U CubeSat using Genetic Algorithm“
Researchers:
- Joshua Clarke M. Bautista
- Nathan Joshua B. Frialde
Thesis Adviser: Glyndel Kate A. Falqueza, MSc.
The research focused on optimizing a structural component of a 2U CubeSat using a genetic algorithm, applying computational optimization methods to an aerospace engineering design problem.
Third Best Thesis: “Combustion and Mechanical Properties of KNO3-Epoxy Composite Propellant: Controlled vs. Uncontrolled Ambient Curing Conditions“
Researchers:
- Tobit Raphael M. Casillano
- Miguel Alvaro S. Tamase
Thesis Adviser: Dr. Jon Dewitt E. Dalisay
The study investigated the combustion and mechanical properties of a potassium nitrate-epoxy composite propellant under different ambient curing conditions.
The Best Thesis Awards recognized the students’ research efforts and the guidance provided by their respective thesis advisers throughout the research process.
Recognizing Undergraduate Research and Academic Achievement
The Undergraduate Research and Capstone Colloquium 2026 provided a venue for students to present their work and receive recognition for their accomplishments in mechanical engineering education.
Through the research presentations, project selections, and academic awards, the event recognized different aspects of undergraduate achievement, from academic performance in core engineering courses to the development of research and design projects.
UPD DME congratulates all awardees, selected project teams, and thesis advisers for their contributions to this year’s colloquium. The Department also extends its appreciation to the faculty members, staff, and students who participated in organizing and conducting the event.