Their work, entitled "Polymer-decorated AgNPs: Optimized Synthesis and Application as Nanosensor for Colorimetric Detection of Copper (II) Ions," aims to develop a novel nanosensor for the detection of heavy metals in drinking water. Specifically, the decorated silver nanoparticles with polymers that act as stabilizing and functionalizing agents for the selective detection of copper ions. This is particularly important for realizing point-of-need detection of heavy metals where the use of expensive instrumentation can be costly. This study was done in collaboration with Engr. Edgar Clyde R. Lopez, a PhD Chemical Engineering student, and Engr. Marlon L. Mopon and Dr. Jem Valerie D. Perez, research advisers. The team also bagged the Best Poster Award.

Bringing home the second place are students from the University of the Philippines Visayas with their study entitled "Evaluation of the Cyanide Sorption Potential of Waste Eggshell-derived Hydroxyapatite using a Factorial Experimental Design." The third place also went to the University of the Philippines Visayas with their study entitled "Recognition of Copper (II) Ions in Aqueous Solutions using Unmodified Silver Nanoparticle Paper-based Nanosensor."