ā¢Ā Top Chemistry Students, Others Awarded
ā¢Ā Save the Date, September 17 – ‘How Color Changed the World’
ā¢Ā The Return of Our Speed Networking Event
ā¢Ā Unleashing Potential: Why Students Should Embrace Professional Conferences
ā¢Ā Project SEED Update and Poster Session Invitation (August 23)
ā¢Ā KACS Calendar
Top Chemistry Students, Others Awarded
By Dr. Salonika Aggarwal
The Kalamazoo Section of the American Chemical Society held the High School Chemistry competitive exam after a four-year hiatus. The previous exam was conducted in 2019.The exams were organized by the competitive exam committee, led by Dr. Salonika Aggarwal and Dr. Joe Chemler, who both work as scientists at Kalsec. There were two exams; the first exam took place during the week of March 11-15. A total of 169 students took the first exam, and 30 students qualified for the final exam, which was held at Western Michigan University on April 20. All the students performed exceptionally well in both exams. The top scorers were Nathan Gleason (1st place), Isabelle Tai (2nd place), and Bryce Evergreen (3rd place) from Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center, and Travis Heyn (3rd place) from Portage Northern High School.
The award ceremony took place at the WMED Innovation Center on May 13, 2024. The top scorers were awarded certificates and prize money of $600, $400, and $200. A total of 57 people RSVPād for the award ceremony, where food was provided for the guests. The ceremony was hosted by Dr. Lydia E.M. Hines, Dr. Dibyendu Mondal, Dr. Salonika Aggarwal, and Dr. Joe Chemler. Additionally, 50 and 60-year members of KACS were honored at the ceremony. Michelle Mason of Portage Northern High School was recognized as the Outstanding HS Chemistry Teacher. Jordyn Wilson from K-College and Emily Hayward from Western Michigan University were honored as the Outstanding Graduating College Seniors. Awards were also given to outstanding HS Chemistry students from nine participating schools. Teachers from all the participating schools were also appreciated in the award ceremony. Overall, it was a wonderful event, and we hope to continue this tradition into the future.
Michelle Mason
Jordyn Wilson
Top Scorers
Outstanding Seniors
Save the Date, September 17āāHow Color Changed the Worldā
By Ed Thomas
As part of our continuing lecture series, on Tuesday, September 17, Mary Virginia Orna, Ph.D., will address the KACS on āHow Color Changed the World.ā Color has been an exciting and enjoyable part of human life ever since the color-sensitive eye evolved over a million years ago. However, the junction between color and chemistry, and color and history, is of more recent origin. This rich history of color and chemistry will be explored by Dr. Orna. Donāt miss it. Time and location to be confirmed.
The Return of Our Speed Networking Event
We are happy to announce that our award-winning Speed Networking event is returning for the 8th year on Monday, October 7, co-sponsored by Kalamazoo ACS and Kalamazoo College. Join us at 6 p.m. on Zoom for five rounds of short discussions on careers and navigating life as a chemist. Registration is open now at https://bit.ly/KACSSpeedNet. The virtual format opens this event to professionals and students beyond the Kalamazoo area. Sign up early as space may be limited, and priority will be given to early registrants. Mentors include professional chemists from industry and academiaāthis event canāt happen without you! Undergraduate studentsāthis is your chance to meet with professionals from across the chemical enterprise and learn about starting a successful career in chemistry.
Unleashing Potential: Why Students Should Embrace Professional Conferences
Editorās note: After striking up a conversation with Jacob Hood in a āhubā airport on the way to the 2024 Spring ACS meeting in New Orleans, and learning that he is a relatively new KACS member, LEMH asked him to share his thoughts regarding the importance of ACS membership and participation in ACS meetings to oneās professional growth. Below is his contribution. Thank you, Jacob!
By Jacob C. Hood
The number of students attending the spring 2024 American Chemical Society (ACS) meeting in New Orleans was 46% lower than at the spring 2018 meeting held in the same city. Attending professional conferences offers undergraduate and graduate students a unique and invaluable opportunity to enhance their academic and professional development. These events are not just about exchanging knowledge, ideas, and innovations, but also about providing an enriching experience beyond the classroom. Here are several compelling reasons why students should prioritize attending professional conferences.
Professional conferences serve as a melting pot, bringing together a diverse range of individuals from various sectors, including academics, industry professionals, and fellow students. This rich environment fosters networking, allowing students to build relationships with potential mentors, collaborators, and future employers. These connections can be instrumental in opening doors to internships, job opportunities, and collaborative research projects, paving the way for a promising future. Networking at conferences also helps students learn about different career paths and gain insights into the professional world.
Conferences are at the forefront of innovation, showcasing the latest research, technologies, and trends in a particular field. This exposure is crucial for students as it provides a glimpse into their chosen discipline’s current and future directions. Attending presentations, poster sessions, and panel discussions can inspire new ideas, spark curiosity, and motivate students to delve deeper into their studies or pursue new research projects. This could lead to unknown areas of interest. For instance, attending a talk on continuous flow synthesis led me down the path of incorporating this technology in my research. Now, I have a position devoted entirely to this area of research.
Attending conferences is not just about academic enrichment; it also contributes significantly to a student’s professional growth. These events often include workshops, seminars, and training sessions on skill development. Students can learn about emerging tools and methodologies, enhance their presentation and communication skills, and gain insights into effective project management. Engaging in these activities equips students with practical skills that are highly valued in the job market, making conference attendance a crucial part of their professional development.
Many meetings offer students the chance to present their research through oral presentations or poster sessions. Such presentations allow students to share their work with a knowledgeable audience, receive constructive feedback, and refine their presentation skills. I was often shocked at the valuable insights researchers in related fields would have on applications of my synthetic methodologies.
The energy and enthusiasm at conferences can be incredibly motivating. The sense of community and shared purpose, where everyone is united by their passion for the field, can be a powerful source of inspiration. Hearing from leading experts and seeing their impactful work can inspire students to pursue their goals with renewed vigor and passion. This shared sense of purpose reinforces the importance of their work and its potential to make a difference.
Attending conferences helps students learn and grow and begin establishing their professional identity. By engaging with the community, presenting their work, and actively participating in discussions, students start to make a name for themselves in their field. This early establishment of a professional presence can be a stepping-stone to future career opportunities, filling students with hope and optimism for their professional journey.
I encourage students to participate in conferences as an investment in their future, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and connections necessary to succeed in their chosen careers. I recommend that all students ask their departments and universities about funding for conference travel – and as starters consider attending regional meetings, which are often ācloser to homeā, less expensive to attend, and less intimidating. I hope to see you at the next meeting!
Ā· Fall ACS Meeting ā Denver, CO, August 18-22, 2024 (acs.org/meetings.html)
Ā· Midwest Regional meeting ā Omaha, NE, October 13-15, 2024 (https://www.mwrm2024.org/).
Ā· Great Lakes Regional Meeting ā Appleton, WI, June 4-6, 2025 (The KACS is in the Great Lakes Region of the ACS). Keep the link https://greatlakesregion-acs.org/event-welcome/glrm-2025 active as it will continue to be updated as the meeting time approaches.
Jacob Hood is a passionate organic chemist interested in synthetic methodology and continuous flow technology. As an undergraduate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign he worked in Scott Denmarkās research group; he then went on to Northern Illinois University where he graduated with a Ph.D. in organic chemistry. He has since dedicated his research to exploring continuous flow synthesis for Zoetis as a postdoctoral scientist. Jacob has attended regional and national ACS meetings since 2013, where he has presented 10 times.
Project SEED Update and Poster Session Invitation (August 23)
By Dr. Doug Williams
Our Project SEED fellows are busy finishing up their research this month in preparation for the Kalamazoo College Summer Research Symposium on Friday, August 23. Watch for time and location details to be sent by email, Facebook, and LinkedIn. We would love to see you there.
As always, I am deeply grateful to our research mentors at Kalamazoo College and Kalsec for the time, supplies, expertise and inspiration provided to our fellows. This year we thank DiPharma for a remarkable tour of their research and GMP areas on July 9 and the WMU Chemistry Department for lunch and a tour of Haenicke Hall on July 22.
Project SEED fellows visiting WMU. From left: Rowan Hagenbuch, Benjamin Knight, Dr. Megan Kowalske (chair, WMU Chemistry), Mahdi Hassnawi, Dr. Doug Williams (SEED coordinator), Jocelyn Suranyi, Nya Neal (guest), Sadaya Hamby, Dorian Roberts.
We appreciate you, our members, who generously support our program. Our section expenses for Project SEED have been $10,000 in each of the last two years. 100% of all member donations are used directly for student stipends. Please see our website for more information.
Meet our 2023 Project SEED Fellows
Dorian Roberts
My name is Dorian Roberts and I am a rising senior and set to graduate in May 2025. This is my first year in Project SEED. My chemistry teacher is Mr. Jovaughn Carver who teaches at Kalamazoo Central High School. I plan to go to college at the University of Michigan and my special interests include reading, the STEM field, and collecting vinyl records. I also really enjoy taking chemistry and advanced classes, because I love to learn all the intricate parts and gain new knowledge. I learned about Project SEED through a friend who did the program for two years. My mentor this summer is Dr. Dwight Williams and the project that Iām working on is the design, synthesis and evaluation of maleimide-tryptamine hybrids as potential antibacterial agents. Project SEED has been an amazing experience as it has helped me to gain hands-on experience in college-based labs and additional chemistry knowledge that will come in handy later. I encourage Project SEED students to pursue this program because it has been a helpful way for me to gain career experience and open doors to other possible internships/programs. This program will help my college life and my future career as an OB/GYN. While in college, I plan on pursuing a chemistry and possibly Spanish dual degree.
Rowan Hagenbuch
Hello, Iām Rowan Hagenbuch, and I am going into my junior year at Comstock High School and the Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center (KAMSC). My wonderful chemistry teacher at KAMSC is Mrs. Claudia Witt-Thomas. I learned about Project SEED through KAMSCās Research Director, Ms. Rebecca Joyce, who posted this amazing opportunity in our Research Google Classroom. Before working on my SEED Project, I completed two research projects at KAMSC on elevated risk of Kaposi sarcoma from organ transplants (literature) and comparing solvents for extraction of compounds from dry rosemary herb (lab). My SEED research project is to improve an HPLC method for quantifying carotenoids in food extracts. I am working with Michael Horton at Kalsec, Inc. Project SEED has helped me see a possible career path in research and has helped me figure out how to move forward with future research projects.
Reem Rasool
I graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in May. I spent my time in high school taking challenging courses and finding opportunities to gain more knowledge about the sciences both in and outside of school. It was when I took my first introductory chemistry class that I met my chemistry teacher, Mr. Jovaughn Carver who introduced me to this program. For the last two years, I have been able to work in the organic chemistry lab of Dr. Dwight Williams and his supportive research group at Kalamazoo College to synthesize tryptamine-maleimide hybrids for potential antibacterial agents. This year, I have furthered my research for this project and am excited to present it at the upcoming summer research poster session. I hope to continue my education this fall at Western Michigan University, where I plan to major in Biomedical Sciences. I am so grateful for all the opportunities this program has offered me. Thanks to this program, I have gained a lot of valuable knowledge that I will use all throughout college.
Ben Knight
Ben graduated this year from Portage Northern High School with an IB diploma and studied chemistry with instructor Michelle Mason. He returns to us for a second year of Project SEED with Dr. Drew Elder at Kalsec, Inc., where he is categorizing the relative effectiveness of natural food antioxidants to retard the oxidation of vegetable oils under accelerated conditions. Ben will attend Kalamazoo College this fall. He appreciates the opportunity to work in an industrial lab and see how research skills are used to benefit companies in competitive, essential industries.
Jocelyn Suranyi
Jocelyn graduated this year from Bloomingdale High School and studied chemistry with Mr. Chris Bily, who encouraged her to sign up for Project SEED in 2023. This year she is working on her second Project SEED internship with Dr. Blakely Tresca at Kalamazoo College and using computational modeling and solid-phase synthesis to design and prepare biologically inspired polymers known as peptoids. Jocelyn will attend Kalamazoo College this fall, where she intends to major in chemistry.
Mahdi Hassnawi
Mahdi is a rising senior at Kalamazoo Central High School and studied chemistry with Mr. Jovaughn Carver. He is working with Dr. Daniela Arias-Rotondo at Kalamazoo College to design, prepare, and characterize Schiff base compounds as complexing agents to improve photoelectric conversion of solar energy with first row transition metals. With Dorian, he is preparing for his college applications through our Project SEED writing workshops this summer. Mahdi enjoys reading about aerospace technologies and plays lacrosse at KCHS.
Nya Neal
Nya will begin her sophomore year at City High School in Grand Rapids in the fall. She is not in our Project SEED program but has been introduced to us through her summer research appointment with Dr. Dwight Williams at Kalamazoo College. We were delighted to have her join us for tours and workshops this summer.