A 2024 study that explores eco-friendly alternatives to boost the production of shrimp and prawn by protecting them from diseases was recently conferred the Dr. Elvira O. Tan Award for the Outstanding Published Paper in the Aquatic Sciences Category by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD). The award was conferred on November 10, 2025.
The paper authored by Kristelle Mae C. Tardecilla and Prof. Mary Beth B. Maningas, PhD was entitled , aimed to take care of Macrobrachium rosenbergii, a 鈥渉ighly valuable prawn species in aquaculture due to its current growing demand in the market.鈥� It offered an alternative to available antibiotics as a way to treat diseases, since the former also faces antimicrobial resistance.
Tardecilla and Maningas鈥檚 paper examined the effects of 鈥渉ost-derived beneficial microorganisms from the gut of M. rosenbergii, on the inhibition, immunomodulation, survival, and growth of M. rosenbergii when exposed to V. parahaemolyticu.鈥� The study found Weissella confusa C6 was a 鈥渧iable option for use as a feed supplement in prawn farming, enhancing M. rosenbergii’s immune system, disease resistance, and overall health.鈥�
Tardecilla is an alumna of the Graduate School under the mentorship of Maningas, who also teaches at the Department of Biological Sciences of the College of Science. They worked under the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences.