On August 31, 2026, the ESPOL Administration Building Auditorium (Auditorio de Rectorado) hosted a major edition of #5MinPitch, an academic initiative directed by Valeria Guzmán that challenges undergraduate students to present the technical relevance, methodology, and impact of their capstone projects (materias integradoras) within a strict five-minute limit.
The session commenced at 10:00 AM with formal welcoming remarks and an overview of the presentation guidelines. Between 10:20 AM and 11:45 AM, fifteen graduating biologists took the stage to defend their research:
Amira Elena López Unda: Evaluation of beneficial microorganisms from the CCM-CIBE collection for the biological control of Ralstonia solanacearum and Dickeya sp. (Advisor: Juan Manuel Cevallos).
Ricardo Daniel Eras Caraguay: Bioprospecting and predatory potential assessment of generalist natural enemies associated with Bactericera cockerelli in Ecuadorian potato crops (Advisor: Lisbeth Espinoza).
Jonathan Andres Carrera Solis: Assessment of functional diversity and associated vegetation in agroforestry systems and high-yield cocoa monocultures (Advisor: Lisbeth Espinoza).
Alexander Fabian Lindao Lindao: Isolation of chitin-binding marine bacilli as candidate probiotics to prevent pathogenic Vibrio colonization on shrimp cuticles (Advisor: Jenny Rodríguez).
Giulliana Priscilla Yanez Morales: Biotechnological potential of Antarctic microorganisms in the fermentation of rice husks to recover high-value antioxidant and photoprotective compounds (Advisor: Nardy Diez García).
Johnny Johann Figueroa Chiriboga: Isolation and characterization of Pseudomonas bacteriophages as a biocontrol alternative (Advisor: Marynes Montiel).
María Belén Macías Carpio: Removal of bacteria and organic contaminants using California bulrush (Schoenoplectus californicus) and duckweed (Lemna minor) for water quality improvement (Advisor: Marynes Montiel).
Arianna Maribel López Izquierdo: Impact of bivalve depuration on the microbiological quality of the black ark clam supply chain in Guayaquil (Advisor: Félix Morales).
Estefanny Aurora Bustos Zalamea: Depuration systems for marine bivalve mollusks (Advisor: Félix Morales).
Cinthya Margoth Sabando Meza: Evaluation of the impact of endometriosis on oocyte and embryo quality and its association with clinical pregnancy rates in assisted reproduction treatments (Advisor: Fernanda Bertuccez).
Luis Alberto Garcés Chalén: Innovation in Coastal and Marine Bird Monitoring: Development of a camera-trap monitoring protocol for the AquaForest project (Advisor: Andrea Reyes).
Giuliana Dennise Burbano Flores: Descriptive methodological framework for assessing benthic macroinvertebrate colonization and primary succession within the "AquaForest" project (Advisor: Andrea Reyes).
Andira Victoria Jiménez Tapia: Assessment of occurrence, detection frequency, and individual identification of the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) using non-invasive monitoring tools in the Prosperina Protected Forest (Advisor: Julián Pérez).
Miguel Ángel Morán Piedrahita: Characterization of functional plant diversity at Las Peñas Campus during architectural renovation works (Advisor: Julián Pérez).
María Belén Alay Yagual: Valorization of pitahaya peel waste for the fabrication of biodegradable containers for agricultural use (Advisor: Celso Yaguana).
The holistic evaluation of scientific substance, delivery, and persuasive communication was entrusted to a multidisciplinary panel:
Lic. María del Carmen Peré: Professor of Literature and Communication at ESPOL, collaborator with the Vice-Rectorate of Academic Affairs, and specialist in effective communication and academic writing support.
Eduardo Sánchez Timm, Ph.D.: Research professor at FLS-ESPOL and Research Coordinator of the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory at CIBE-ESPOL, holding a doctorate from Louisiana State University (LSU) with a specialization in plant biotechnology and gene expression.
Milton Barcos, Ph.D.: Doctor of Science in Plant Biotechnology (CINVESTAV, Mexico) and research professor at Universidad de Guayaquil, with more than 25 years of experience in agricultural sciences, molecular biology, and R&D+i projects.
Following qualitative feedback and jury deliberation, the event concluded at 12:00 PM, reaffirming biology's decisive contribution to Ecuador's environmental, biomedical, and productive sectors.
We congratulate Ricardo Eras and Johnny Figueroa, winners of this Semifinal round!
