On Nov. 8, Laura Moore, associate professor of biochemistry, and Audra Sostarecz, assistant professor of analytical chemistry, took chemistry, biochemistry and biology students to Kansas City, Mo., for the two-day, 42nd Regional American Chemistry Society Conference.

At  the conference, the students were able to obtain information about internships and graduate schools and present their research to the roughly 1,100 people in attendance, which included professors, high school teachers, industrial scientists and both graduate and undergraduate students.

The group also was privileged with the opportunity to eat lunch with Catherine T. Hunt, president of the American Chemical Society.

Some of the colleges that sent representatives to the conference were the University of Missouri, Iowa State University, St. Louis University and Vanderbilt University.

Employees of the industrial companies Millipore, Perkin Elmer, Varian, and Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc. were also in attendance.

Participating students were generally enthusiastic about their experience. Amanda Link, a junior chemistry major, stated, “I appreciated being given the opportunity to observe other current research projects that are being done at other schools in the Midwest, being able to talk to graduate schools about the application process and the opportunities after graduate school, [and] becoming knowledgeable of the hiring process of industrial companies. This trip really helped me to grasp what options I do have upon graduation from Monmouth...”

Sara Hitchcock, a senior biochemistry major, added, “I  now realize that attending chemistry conferences isn’t just about presenting your own research, but also to discover what other research is being done around the country and to meet other scientists in your research area to establish future collaborations.”

All in all, nine students were able to attend the conference, five of whom showcased research projects. Another research project, collaborated on by two students who did not attend, was also presented.

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