Chemical Engineering students place 2nd and 3rd in national undergraduate research contest

UST Chemical Engineering students placed 2nd and 3rd in the 2016 Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (PIChE) National Undergraduate Research Contest. The competition was held during the 77th PIChE National Convention last February 18, 2016 at Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center. There are six finalists in the competition and three of which came from the UST Department of Chemical Engineering (UST ChemE).

Jhullie Ann S. Bigso, Carlito R. Dimaano, Jr., and Ian Kenneth D. Micaller, bagged the 2nd place with their research entitled “Effects of pyrolytic temperature on the physicochemical characteristics of biocharcoal derived from Calyphyllum inophyllum seed husks”. Their advisers are Prof. Maria Natalia R. Dimaano, PhD. and Asst. Prof. Michael Francis D. Benjamin, PhD.

Meanwhile, Mary Daphne A. Buti, Anthony B. Cruz and Jamie Ashley E. San Juan got the 3rd place with their research entitled“Development of an optical sensor based on immobilized dithizone on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in the determination of cadmium (II) ions for the monitoring of proper effluent disposal”. Their adviser is Prof. Edna C. Quinto, PhD.

The other finalist from UST is the team composed of Paola Jachin G. Abejero, Maria Angelica G. Galapon, and Justin Edrik A. Gregorio, with their adviser Engr. Beatriz A. Belmonte, MSc. Their research title is “Optimization of process parameters for the photocatalytic degradation of lignin using nano-TiO2 co-doped with iron and niobium by response surface methodology”.