An adventure in student research, travel and science exploration

On November 7, Dr. Brandon Van Ness took three HU students to the Central Regional Meeting (CERM) of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in Pittsburgh. Carson Colahan and Alicia Gomez presented a poster on their research project, Characterization of Honey from Northwest Ohio and Sarah Grosse presented the poster Travel Opportunities with the Heidelberg University ACS Chemistry Club which highlighted the recent trips the ACS Chem Club has undertaken.

These three students were representing their fellow students at CERM. Carson and Alicia represented their fellow undergraduate researchers Emma Keto, Kiara Grow, Mikalya Sage, A.J. Patellis, and Riley Elliott, while explaining the different chemical characterization techniques that these students have been performing in the laboratory on local honey samples for the past year.

Sarah, the Vice President of HU's Chemistry Club, represented the rest of the club and talked about all of the travel opportunities that the club has undertaken over the past year. This year's officers are Mikayla Sage (President), Ella Calvin (Treasurer), Kacy Connolly (Secretary), Carson Colahon, Emma Rettig, and Jodie Hellickson (publicity officers).

During the trip, the students had lunch with HU alumnus Caleb Frye, a recent doctoral graduate of Duquesne University. Caleb discussed life as a graduate student and explained the Covid-19 research that he had performed. Caleb also highlighted REU experiences for the students and talked about life outside of higher education in the Pittsburgh area. Later, Caleb interacted with the students during their poster presentations and gave them constructive feedback for their presentations.

Carson won a beaker mug at the plenary session. Following the meeting, the students explored the Carnegie Science Museum and ate at local restaurants.