Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science student Prateek Kalakuntla was named a national finalist in the 2016 Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology. His project investigated the use of phosphorescent materials and methods for sensing and removing mercury and other toxic heavy metals from water.

He combined gold with a ligand, a molecular ion that binds metals, to synthesize a substance that exhibits bright phosphorescence in water, but has a reduced emission in the presence of mercury.

He worked on research under the supervision of Mohammad Omary, UNT professor of chemistry and affiliated professor of physics.