GCOE students sweep awards at the 86th PIChE Student Congress

Students from the DLSU Gokongwei College of Engineering clinched top honors across four major competitions at the 86th PIChE Student Congress held last September 9 at the University of Mindanao–Matina Campus.

Echoing the theme “Innovate, Collaborate, Transform: Chemical Engineering for Sustainable Progress,” the event brought together industry leaders, professionals, and aspiring engineers from across the Philippines. 

The team of Alijaeh Joshua Go, Aliyah Geri Romulo, Sophia June Ng, and Jan Joshua Cruz bagged the top spot in the National Quiz Bowl, where they showcased their command of chemical engineering principles as well as analytical thinking and teamwork. Dr. Angelo Earvin Sy Choi (main coach), Dr. John Frederick Tapia, Dr. Joseph Ortenero, Engr. Christian Jay Balboa, and Engr. Cary Albert Chan served as their mentors.

Meanwhile, the research project,  “Production of Polylactic Acid from Sugarcane Bagasse,” which aims to create a plant designed to meet the growing demand of sustainable materials in the Philippines, earned first place in the Chemical Plant Design Contest as well as the Best Poster Award. The project team is composed of Samantha Nicole Escalante, Sofia Marrielle Jusay, Allan Miguel Abellanosa, and Gregory Grant Faelden, under the mentorship of Dr. Angelo Earvin Sy Choi and Dr. Cynthia F. Madrazo. 

Anela Maree  Jardin brought home the championship title in the ChE MOB Competition, a fast-paced, multiple-choice trivia game that pitted undergraduate Chemical Engineering students against seasoned professionals. 

In the Chem-E Car Poster Competition, which made its debut at this year’s PIChE Student Congress, participants were challenged  to conceptualize a shoebox-sized car powered by a chemical energy source. 

Winning the third place was the team behind DLSU’s “Iron Giant”, composed of students Ralph Emmanuel Manlulu, Nicholas Winfred Natividad, Sophia June Ng and Gamille Marie Silva, together with their mentor, Dr. Angelo Earvin Sy Choi.  The Iron Giant is a model car powered by the oxidation of iron and the evaporation of liquid nitrogen, offering an alternative engine to regular combustion to prevent the release of greenhouse gases.