The Research Group and Quiz Bowl Team of Mapua Institute of Technology won in their respective events during the National Chemical Engineering Students Congress, which was part of the 76th Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (PIChE) National Convention, held on February 18 – 21, 2015 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

John Ace F. Carpena, Ranndolf M. Javier, and Marvin S. Tolentino beat the other finalists from all over the country to win 1st Place in the PIChE National Undergraduate Research Contest. The research project entitled “Thermal treatment temperature- and time-dependence of contact angle of water on fluorinated polystyrene as hydrophobic film coating” was mentored by Engr. Ruth R. Aquino. UST and PLM were 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up, respectively.

In the National Undergraduate Chemical Engineering Quiz Bowl, a team quiz contest showcasing chemical engineering topics only, the Mapua team emerged 2nd runner up in a field of 12 finalists from all over the country. The team was composed of Reuben James Q. Buenafe, Kristopher Ray S. Pamintuan, and Victor J. Lau, Jr. The team’s coach was Dr. Rhoda B. Leron. The teams from UP-Diliman and DLSU-Manila were champion and 1st runner-up, respectively.