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Chemistry Students Represent TCNJ at National Conference

It’s not every day that an undergraduate is mistaken for a graduate student, but that’s exactly what happened when TCNJ chemistry students presented their research at the annual national meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). Whether it was a credit to the depth and quality of the research, or perhaps thanks to the students’ maturity and professionalism, the compliment was nonetheless tucked in their conference bags along with networking contacts, presentation skills, and memories of the good time that was had in sunny San Diego, California.

San Diego, California

The group of 21 students, accompanied by department chair Dr. David Hunt and Drs. Heba Abourahma, Benny Chan, Danielle Guarracino, and Abby O’Connor, took one step closer to becoming professional scientists when they joined approximately 17,000 chemists, chemical engineers, academics, and fellow students for the 243rd ACS National Meeting & Exposition.

“Ours was a very large number of students attending a national chemistry conference and it is quite rare for this number to be presenting their research from a primarily undergraduate institution,” said Dr. Hunt, noting that he believes TCNJ had the largest undergraduate representation at the conference.

Faculty and students are asked to submit an abstract of their research to the American Chemical Society for peer review, after which those selected are invited to present during the two-hour poster session. The 21 TCNJ students presented research across the spectrum of chemistry subdivisions:

• Physical Chemistry – Leigh Matano, Mike Hinrichsen, Lindsay Baker, Emmanuel, Martinez-Alcaraz , Rachel Roesch, and Marisa Sanders

• Inorganic Chemistry – Joshua Koubek, Carolyn Garland, Katherine McGarry, Dan Kaplan, Matthew Kita and Melanie Hutnick

• Organic Chemistry – Katrina Wunderlich, Justin Worthing, John Farrokh, Chad Simpkins, Sarah Thornton, Jesus Melendez andJennifer Urban

• Biochemistry – Michael Grasso and Samantha Iamurri

Emmanuel Martinez-Alcaraz and Lindsay Baker were recipients of the outstanding research poster in the Physical Chemistry division for their project, “Using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to decipher the folding pathway of multi-domain proteins” with co-author Dr. Michelle R. Bunagan.

According to Dr. Hunt, presenting at a national venue affords students the chance to showcase their research in the context of being a professional scientist. The poster session is open to all conference attendees, which means TCNJ students discussed their research with chemists from all walks of the professional life – academic, industrial, and government – and from all continents. “The ability to conduct research and communicate the results to other scientists in a free exchange of ideas environment is not only a valuable learning experience; it is part of the maturation process toward becoming a professional scientist,” added Hunt.

Networking is another vital aspect of the conference, and it took many forms, from the undergraduate social to the informal sessions with graduate schools.

“We each share an unconditional love for science; it’s always awesome making new friends with people who are also this passionate about chemistry,” said Marisa Sanders, president of TCNJ’s Student Chemist Association (SCA) in reference to meeting students from other schools across the country. At another social event, called Sci-Mix, TCNJ’s SCA chapter showcased their creative endeavors in fundraising and community outreach. For those that had missed the InChemistry cover story about TCNJ’s Quantum Tunnel, the group shared a graphic poster of the basement creation that serves as an ode to Schrondinger, particle wave duality and all manner of other quantum mechanics here at the College.

“The ACS undergraduate program stresses networking, which is a skill that my friends and I tried to perfect while at the conference,” continued Sanders. “I gave out my business card and started conversations with representatives from various graduate school programs across the country.”

 

For more information:

TCNJ Chemistry Department

• Spring 2012 ACS National Meeting & Exposition

InChemistry cover story about TCNJ’s Quantum Tunnel

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