The Periodic Periodical

The newsletter for Undergraduate Chemistry majors

November, 2018

Student Spotlight:

Congratulations to our November Student Spotlight: Jon Super! The monthly spotlight is intended to help undergraduate students get to know more about one another. What got them interested in chemistry? What are their plans after graduating? What do they like to do for fun? Here’s what Jon had to say: “If you look back at my upbringing you will find several prominent chemistry influences. My high school chemistry teachers were all excellent at shoving the fundamentals of chemistry past my 2-second attention span, and my Dad teaches Biology, Chemistry, Zoology, and Botany at a high school in Wichita. In a way, he taught me about the scientific nature of life from the day I was born and heavily influenced me to become the chemist I am today. Additionally, I became a chemist because chemistry is just plain cool - it’s basically like real-life magic. After I graduate, I plan on attending graduate school at U.C. Berkley to pursue a PhD in organic synthesis. After that, I can see myself working in a lab somewhere in industry – The D.O.E. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory seems enticing. If you ask a Chemistry major what they like to do in their free time, they will often scoff at you and say, “What free time?” So in my limited free time, I like to spend time with my friends, play video games, and practice origami. Also a fun fact about myself is that once I attain my PhD, my official title will be Dr. Super which places me in prime condition to become the next evil villain overlord of the United States, Be Prepared.”

Congratulations to the following students on their outstanding achievements!

Fall, 2018 Undergraduate Research Award Recipient: Shaun Kelsey!

“This is me flexin’ on a wolf statue at

the Denver Museum of Nature and

Science. It was really hot that day and

the statue’s heat was excruciating.”

Students apply by submitting a proposal that is

evaluated based on merit, their academic record, and a

mentor’s recommendation. Students who earn an

Undergraduate Research Award (UGRA) receive a

$1,000 scholarship to aid in their research projects. Click

here to find out more about UGRAs.

And our 2018-2019 Research Ambassadors:

KU Research Ambassadors help fellow students understand what research is, how to get involved, and why research is a worthy experience. To learn more about our KU Research Ambassadors, click here.

Dublin REU Exchange Program

The Chemistry Department participates in a summer research exchange program with the Dublin City University in Dublin, Ireland. Dublin City University, DCU, is located on the Northside of Dublin and was created in 1975, with their focus on science and technology that has continued to present day. They are on the list of top 50 world-leading young universities; the only Irish university to be selected. Their extensive teaching and research laboratories are state of the art and DCU is known for their strong research record. The School of Chemical Sciences is also one of the most successful Chemistry Schools in Ireland for attracting large scale research funding, with researchers having significant roles within nationally significant university/industry collaborative initiatives.

Program dates are Monday, May 20, 2019 through Friday, July 26, 2019

To apply, please submit:

1. A one page essay/personal statement outlining your academic qualifications 2. A copy of your resume (or CV)

3. Two letters of recommendation submitted directly to Betsy on your behalf, at least one of them from a Chemistry Department faculty member.

Please submit all application materials to Betsy Carlson betsy.carlson@ku.edu

One participant will be selected from among the applications we receive.

Application deadline is Friday, February 15, 2019.

Eleanor Stewart-Jones

Jonah Stiel

Will Moore

Graduate Studies & Summer School Opportunities If you are considering graduate school or seeking a unique undergraduate summer school opportunity, check out the flyers below to learn how to make it happen!

Columbia SIPA

Master of Public Admin. in Env. Science & Policy.pdf Virginia Tech CHEM

Graduate Studies 2018.pdf

U of Montanta

Caribbean 2018-19 Ecosystem Field Studies.pdf

NY & CA

NuclearSummerSchoolFlyer2019.pdf

Job Postings and Internship Opportunities:

Intern – Validation (Life Sciences) at GBA Lab Technician Trainee at Sunflower Electric Power Corporation Computational Sciences & Engineering Internships at D.E. Shaw Research Internship at Catalent Pharma Solutions: Lab Analyst

Visit http://chem.ku.edu/resources/students for job details via the KU Career Connection.

Center for UG Research Fall, 2018 Poster Session

Who: The Center for Undergraduate Research What: Undergraduate Research Poster Session Where: Ballroom of the Kansas Union When: Tuesday, December 4, 2018 from 4:00pm – 6:00pm Registration deadline: Friday, November 16, 2018 https://ugresearch.ku.edu/fall-undergraduate-research-poster-session This session is ideal for capstone researchers to get an extra opportunity to present their work!

Upcoming Lectures & Seminars:

o DYMERS Seminar: Pubudu Wimalasiri and Ty Balduf: Nov 7, 2018 3:30pm 1160 ISB o Organic Seminar: Vladimir Maslivetc: Nov 8, 2018 12:00pm 3005 Malott o Dept. Seminar: Tiffany Maher Memorial Lecture Mary Krause: Nov 9, 2018 4:00pm 1154 ISB o Analytical Seminar: Tyler Hageman: Nov 12, 2018 3:30pm Simons Auditorium, HBC W. Campus o DYMERS Seminar: Jennifer Doolin & David Stierwalt: Nov 14, 2018 3:30pm 1160 ISB o Dept. Seminar: Mark Wightman: Nov 15, 2018 4:00pm 1154 ISB o Dept. Seminar: Mark Wightman: Nov 16, 2018 4:00pm 1154 ISB o Analytical Seminar: Dhanushka Weerasekara: Nov 19, 2018 3:30pm Simons Auditorium, HBC o DYMERS Seminar Kristen Burns & Ankita Katiyar: Nov 28, 2018 3:30pm 1160 ISB o Dept. Seminar: Brett VanVeller: Nov 30, 2018 4:00pm 1154 ISB o DYMERS Seminar: Hiranya Mendis: Dec 5, 2018 3:30pm 1160 ISB

View additional lectures & seminars at: http://chem.ku.edu/about/seminars

Upcoming Events and Important Dates

Wednesday, November 21 – Sunday, November 25, 2018: Thanksgiving Break Monday, December 10 – Friday, December 14, 2018: Finals Week

Chem Club happenings: Facebook link | Website Link| Twitter Link

Be sure to follow us on Twitter-@KUChemistry