SEARCA researcher bags UN's Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) Youth Award in Rome

(from left to right) Josyline C. Javelosa (agriculture attaché and deputy permanent representative to Rome-based Agencies of the United Nations), Tiziana Pirelli (coordinator, secretariat GBEP), Mirjam Röder (professor, EBRI), Czaneil Gomez, Michela Morese (energy team leader and senior natural resources officer, FAO), Katie Chong (senior lecturer, EBRI) [photo credit: Dr. Mirjam Röder]

Rome, Italy – Engr. Czaneil Gomez, a Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research (SEARCA) researcher, received the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 2024 Youth Award for her invaluable contribution to sustainable and renewable energy through her research, "Harnessing Rice Straw to Empower Rice Farming Communities in the Philippines."

Engr. Gomez received the award during the United Nations' Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) 11th Bioenergy Week held in Rome on 17 June 2024. Maria Michela Morese, FAO senior natural resources officer and energy team leader, presented the award to Gomez, who bested seven other finalists.

Engr. Gomez is working under SEARCA's Rice Straw Biogas Hub (RSBH), an Innovate UK-funded project to utilize rice straws as an alternative clean fuel for cooking and industrial use.

GBEP Bioenergy Week is an annual congregation of bioenergy stakeholders hailing from different countries, promoting sustainable and efficient use of bioenergy and biomass, particularly in developing countries. 127 stakeholders from 27 nations participated in this year's conference, including country representatives, experts, industry leaders, and researchers.

Engr. Gomez's study, which was conducted in Spring 2023 at Aston University, was supervised by a team of experts from Aston University Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) and University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

Awarded to deserving young researchers, the GBEP Youth Award recognizes their contributions to advancing knowledge and practice in bioenergy, encompassing a range of topics, including circular economy, technologies, supply chain and logistics, societal practices, policy and strategies, and climate change. Aside from presenting at GBEP- Youth and United Nations Global Alliance (YUNGA) Bioenergy Youth Day, Gomez will be privileged to present her study at different international events (co)organized by GBEP in 2024.

SEARCA's team of experts, led by Dr. Rex Demafelis, also expressed their praise on Gomez's achievement.

Ms. Lichelle Dara Carlos, SEARCA's project specialist for RSBH, also commended Engr. Gomez for bagging the award. "SEARCA is deeply committed to nurturing young researchers who are at the forefront of sustainable agriculture and renewable energy innovations," Ms. Carlos said. "Engr. Gomez's success exemplifies the impact of our support, driving forward climate mitigation efforts and enhancing the resilience of agricultural communities," she added.

In her presentation, Gomez highlighted the conversion of rice straw into biogas as a sustainable method for rice straw management, benefiting rice farming communities in the Philippines. "This approach not only addresses waste management issues but also provides a renewable energy source and has the potential to improve the livelihoods of rice farming communities," Gomez stated.

Ms. Czaneil Gomez presenting her study to the 11th GBEP Bioenergy Week participants. [photo credit: Dr. Mirjam Röder]

Dr. Mirjam Röder, one of Gomez's study supervisors from EBRI, said that this is a prestigious award for celebrating and recognizing Engr. Gomez's work in promoting bioenergy, especially in one of the highest-profile international bioenergy organizations. "Czaneil's GBEP Youth Award success is a fantastic achievement. It shows the importance of empowering future generations to develop skills and knowledge in the field of sustainability and renewable energy for local communities," quoted from Aston University- EBRI Press release.

Engr. Gomez with her study poster at the GBEP Bioenergy Week. [photo credit: Dr. Mirjam Röder]Reflecting on the honor, Gomez expressed that receiving the award was a wonderful experience. "Having my research recognized by a prestigious international organization is truly amazing. This award will serve as a reminder that with passion, hard work, and the right support, anything is possible," she stated.

Winning the award has further motivated Engr. Gomez to advance her career and continue promoting bioenergy research and sustainability. She plans to build on this recognition to contribute further to the bioenergy field, seek new opportunities for collaboration, and inspire other women and early career researchers. "I aim to contribute further to my field, seek out new opportunities for collaboration, and inspire other women and early career researchers," she mentioned.

Gomez is in Rome, attending the 11th GBEP Bioenergy Week, which is being held at FAO's headquarters in Rome. The event runs from 17–21 June 2024.