Dyllan Tiburzi and Dr. Morsch presentation at BCCE 2012
Dyllan Tiburzi, a junior in the chemistry department presented the results of his research project, “Using Aqueous Wittig Reactions to Teach Green Organic Chemistry ” at the 22nd Biennial Conference on Chemical Education at Penn State University July 30, 2012 with Dr. Layne Morsch. His coauthors included past chemistry majors Brittney Meyer (’12) and Harrison Schuster (’12) as well as current junior Leanne Deak. Dr. Morsch is an assistant professor of organic chemistry.
Aubrey Watson presentation at ACS 2012
Senior chemistry major Aubrey Watson presented the results of her research project, “Zero Valent Iron Nanoparticle (nZVI) Preparation by a Sustainable Method and Application in Bacterial Denitrification” at the 243rd national meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Diego on March 27. Her coauthors included chemistry senior James R. Johnson, and alumni Stephanie Gorsuch (’10) and Nicole Vanderpool (’10) . Ms. Watson and Mr. Johnson also presented their results at UIS StARS on April 13. Their faculty mentor is Dr. Keenan E. Dungey, associate professor and chair of chemistry.
Congratulations to the 2011 Chemistry Graduates!
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Kimberly Bartosiak, a senior majoring in chemistry at UIS, has received the Student Laureate Award for 2010 from the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.
The Lincoln Academy’s Student Laureate Awards are presented for excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities to seniors from each of the four-year, degree granting colleges and universities in Illinois.
“These students have exhibited a personal commitment to excel as seen by their remarkable academic accomplishments,” said Thomas S. Johnson, Chancellor of the Lincoln Academy, who added, “They serve as role models to other Illinois students. With hard-working and dedicated young leaders such as these, Illinois and the rest of the nation can look forward to a bright future.”
Kimberly was one of 48 students to be honored in a ceremony in the Old State Capitol State Historic Site in Springfield on Nov 6. Each winner received a Student Laureate Medallion, an honorarium and a certificate of achievement. The event marked the 36th year that students have been honored by the academy.
Kimberly got involved in research as a Merck Scholar working on a collaborative project with biology and chemistry at the Emiquon Field Station and various other lakes throughout central Illinois. She presented this work at the AAAS conference and UIS Science Symposium in 2009. Since then, she has continued in research in a Neuropharmacology lab at the Southern Illinois University Medical School, working on determining the composition of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors within a specific nucleus of the brain. She received the Hemal Vakharia Memorial Award for this work. She is currently focusing on determining the morphology of neurons in a region of the brainstem.
Kimberly was a two time recipient of the Avery Brundage student athlete scholarship, while she played volleyball at UIS. Kimberly has also been involved with community service. While at UIS she has spent time serving at St. John’s Breadline and mentored underprivileged junior-high and high school girls. She currently volunteers regularly as a Samaritan at St. John’s Hospital.
Ms. Bartosiak is currently applying to medical schools and plans to specialize in either neurology or neurosurgery.
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The UIS chemistry department offers many opportunities for its students – academically, professionally, and socially.
Students who wish to receive more individualized advice regarding their education and future career path are encouraged to speak with a faculty advisor.
All students work actively with instructors to ensure that their coursework and other pre-professional activities will increase their chances of success after graduation.
Chemistry students are also encouraged to participate in fun and active social organizations, like the UIS Chemistry Club.
