Research

Background

The first departmental research project was initiated by a visiting American professor, Dr Doug Graber-Neufeld in 2006. Working with Mr. Heng Savoeun they investigated the presence of pesticide residues on vegetables in Phnom Penh markets. That project led a wider survey of pesticide residues in vegetables from nineteen different provinces in cooperation with the Royal Academy of Cambodia, and to several student research projects related to pesticides.

In 2008, research into the presence of DDTs and PCBs in fish eaten by Mekong river dolphins was conducted in cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund for nature (WWF). This project also led to further student research and the department’s first published paper in an international journal; a study of PCBs and DDTs in sediments of Beng Cheng Ek.

Also in 2008, the chemistry department was accepted into the International Science Program (ISP) of Uppsala University in Sweden. ISP provides long term support which aims to promote research in basic sciences in the least developed countries. The program is supporting ongoing research into pesticide residues in various food products and other projects in the field of environmental chemistry.

2009

Determination of Polychlororinated Biphenyl(PCBs) and Dichlorodiphenyltrichlroethane(DDTs) in sediments in Boeng Cheung Ek, by Chak Sengheat. Download the abstract in English here and in Khmer here . Or access the published paper at http://iospress.metapress.com/content/q22j009r07846560/

Thesis student Mr Chak Sengheat (R) and researcher Mr Bart Kluskens (L) analyzing sediment samples using HPLC.

2010

Three final year students did research projects and wrote theses in 2010. Two of those were supported by ISP funding and one was supported by a visiting professor from the US.

From L to R: Ms Ho Seanghuoy, Ms Thong Socheat, Mr. Long Lay (HoD), Dr. Roseann Sachs, Mr. Heng Savoeun, Mr. Yann Vannak

Assessing Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Dichlordiphenyltrichlorethane (DDTs) in freshwater bivalves, by Ho Seanghuoy. Download the abstract in English here or the full thesis in Khmer here .

Ho Seanghuoy (L) and Heng Savoeun (R) during sample collection at Beng Thom, Kampong Cham province.
Assessing DDTs and PCBs Risk in Snails, by Yann Vannak. Download the abstract in English here or the complete thesis here .

Yann Vannak at Beng Cheung Ek, Phnom Penh during sample collection
Uses of vegetables as biocatalysts for Reduction and Oxidation reactions, by Ms Thong Socheat. Download the abstract in English here , or in Khmer here . Download the thesis here .

Thong Socheat (L) with Dr. Roseann Sachs (R).

2011

Four students wrote theses in 2011 with support from ISP.

From L to R: Chan Ty, Kin Bora, Mr Heng Savoeun, Mr David Ford, Bun Sreychhouk, Thorn Sopheaktra.

Determination Pesticide residues in Mung bean by Bun Sreychhouk. Download the abstract in English here .

Bun Sreychhouk with poster presentation of her project.
Determination of Chlorpyifos, Cypermethrina and Carbaryl in Mango and Sapodilla by Chan TY. Download the abstract here .

Chan Ty (L) with supervisor Mr Heng Savoeun.
Determination of pesticide residues: Buprofezin, Chlorpyrifos, Cypermethrin and Permethrin in rice from Kandal, Prey Veng and Svay Rieng Province by Kin Bora. Download the abstractin English here or the thesis in Khmer here .

Supervisor, Ms Seng Somphos (seated) and Kin Bora.
Characterization of Prachak Oil by Thorn Sopheaktra. Download the abstract in English here or the thesis here .

Thorn Sopheaktra and supervisor Mr David Ford.

2012

Three students wrote theses in 2012.

Thesis students and supervisors. (From L to R) Heng Thary, Mr Heng Savoeun, Seng Chandavy, Ra Malyna, Mr Cheng Khley, Ms Long Solida.

Determination of Insecticide Residues in Vegetables Collected from Wholesale Markets in Phnom Penh, by Seng Chandavy. Download the abstract in English here or the thesis in Khmer here .

Seng Chandavy using GC/MS
Determination of DDTs and PCBs in Fish from Tonle Sap Lake, by Ra Malyna. Download the abstract in English here or the thesis in Khmer here .

Ra Malyna during sample collection at Kampong Thom province.
Determination of Lemongrass Oil and its Effectiveness as Post-harvest Repellent for Stored Rice, by Heng Thary. Download the abstract in English here or the thesis in Khmer here .

Heng Thary (L) with supervisor Mr David Ford