Southern Leyte State U is 3rd best university in EV, 69th in PH: AD Scientific Index; Prof. Navarrate as top-cited scientist

The Alper-Dodger (AD) Scientific Index ranked Southern Leyte State University as the 69th top university in the Philippines for its February 2023 edition.

With its recent performance, Southern Leyte State U climbed a notch higher from rank 4th in 2022 edition to being the 3rd best university in Eastern Visayas, following Visayas State University at 20th spot and Eastern Visayas State University at 62nd spot.

Unlike other rating systems that only provide evaluations of journals and universities, the AD Scientific Index is a ranking and analysis system based on the scientific performance and the added value of the scientific productivity of individual scientists.

This evaluation system listed all academicians who are ranked in the world in the top 2% and top 10% in university rankings based on Google Scholar’s total h-index scores. Further, assessments on the scientific characteristics of their affiliated scientists were also considered.

Dr. Ian A. Navarrete, a Professor of Environmental Soil Science in Southern Leyte State U-Hinunangan Campus, is rated as the top-cited scientist in Southern Leyte State U with his most cited paper about the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America on pharmaceutical pollution of the world's rivers.

Over the years, AD Scientific Index has consistently recognized Dr. Navarrete as the best scientist in the University. He is a multi-awarded international soil and environmental scientist who won the Asian Science Diplomats Award 2021 (SDA) for his outstanding research works and programs that address environmental problems.

With 80 publications which he authored and co-authored, he has partnered with international researchers from Indonesia, Japan, and from other Asian countries. These local and international published papers of Dr. Navarrete include human health risk assessment, taxonomic list and conservation status on the beach forest flora, and assessment of water quality, sediment geochemistry, and phytoplankton diversity, among others.

Second on the list is the now Vice President for Students and Auxiliary Services Dr. Dewoowoogen P. Baclayon. Before becoming a VP, he served as the Campus Director of Southern Leyte State U-Bontoc Campus whose most popular articles include changes in activities during postharvest senescence of two cultivars with glutamine synthetase and glutamate dehydrogenase in broccoli.

Following Dr. Baclayon is Dr. Mary Ann Jilly R. Ramirez, Director of Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office and a Professor of Food Technology, who is recognized as the third-cited scientist with her most cited publication about characterization and safety evaluation of exopolysaccharide produced by Rhodotorula minuta.

Landing in the 4th spot is Dr. Joey A. Caraquil. He is a Professor of Education at Southern Leyte State U-Tomas Oppus Campus who published an article on simulation modeling of intention to leave among faculty in higher education institutions.

Fifth on the list is Dr. Kristin O. Espita with her most cited article about a structural equation model on knowledge management performance in higher education institutions in Region VIII.

Southern Leyte State U's most-cited scientists, according to AD Scientific Index, also include Mr. Ramel Claros, Dr. Norlyn Borong, Dr. Lilibeth Tindugan, Ms. April Rose Estrella, and Dr. Hermabeth Bendulo.

For this year’s edition, University of the Philippines claimed the top spot as the best university in the country, followed by Mindanao State University Iligan Institute of Technology.

Meanwhile, Harvard University and Stanford University are recognized as the best universities in the world, being ranked 1st and 2nd, accordingly.