Muni University has achieved a remarkable milestone on the global scientific stage after Yanduru Mercy, a recent graduate and one of the pioneers of the University’s MSc Chemistry programme, won a Poster Presentation Prize under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being at the 6th Commonwealth Chemistry Posters competition, held virtually from 1–2 October 2025. “
According to the organisers, the Commonwealth Chemistry Posters event “brings together chemists from across the Commonwealth working on similar and complementary challenges to tackle the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over,250 poster abstracts were accepted from presenters representing 23 countries for the 6th Commonwealth Chemistry Posters event in October.
Mercy joins a growing community of early-career Commonwealth chemists whose work was recognized for excellence and relevance.
Mercy’s victory was formally announced online on 8th December 2025, when Commonwealth Chemistry published the list of winners on its official website. Speaking about the honour, she noted that being recognised in the SDG 3 category was both humbling and inspiring, especially as her work speaks directly to public-health needs within the region.
Her winning work tackles one of Uganda’s—and wider sub-Saharan Africa’s—urgent public-health challenges: contamination of staple foods by aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are toxic, carcinogenic compounds produced by certain fungi, well known to pose serious health risks globally.
Mercy’s research “focuses on developing a green, sensitive, and efficient analytical approach for very low-level ddetermination of aflatoxins in cassava-based food products.” She explained that this is especially critical because cassava is a dietary staple in many communities, yet their quantification in complex food matrices remains a scientific challenge.
To address this challenge, she fabricated an extraction method involving eco-friendly sorbent materials from water-hyacinth biomass and eggshell-derived calcium carbonate, which she used to preconcentrate and enrich aflatoxins in traditionally processed cassava products prior to analysis using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.This approach enhances analytical reliability while promoting sustainability, reflecting the core principles of SDG 3.
Mercy described her participation in the Commonwealth-wide scientific event as “deeply enriching,” noting that it broadened her perspective on how collaborative scientific work can address shared global challenges in food safety and health. The event also provided valuable exposure to diverse research approaches and a supportive network of scientists committed to sustainable solutions.
Her achievement marks a significant moment for both the Department of Chemistry and Muni University as a whole. As one of the first graduates of the MSc Chemistry programme, Mercy’s international recognition showcases the growing strength of the University’s postgraduate training and its rising visibility in advanced chemical research.
Motivated by the award, she expressed her commitment to advancing sustainable analytical methods and pursuing collaborations aimed at strengthening food-safety monitoring in the region. She also encouraged future participants in the Commonwealth Chemistry competition to “present confidently and embrace the collaborative spirit” of the global scientific community, noting that the platform offers exceptional opportunities for professional growth and impact.
Mercy’s success stands as a testament to the quality of mentorship and innovation within Muni University’s Department of Chemistry, and it continues to position the institution as an emerging leader in transformative scientific research.
Other Useful information can be got from the link for winners, https://commonwealthchemistry.org/commonwealth-chemistry-posters-2025-winners/
