Chemistry and Biochemistry News

Chemistry faculty and students were a part of the 100th Anniverary of the American Chemical Society’s Maryland Section Celebration. In addition to faculty and students attending the Gala, officers of the ACS Club presented a demonstration on an advancement in chemistry that related to Stevenson University. The presentation was about a qualitative analysis device for marijuana that was created by the program coordinator of the Forensic Sciences Master’s Program at Stevenson, Dr. Jay Tobin.

One of the active clubs on campus is the Forensic Science Club. The club has biweekly meetings which include different activities including DNA analysis, interactive toxicology labs, handwriting analysis, case studies and guest speakers. Each year, members contribute to the community by making cards for a nursing home and delivering them before the holidays. The club busy planning an exciting spring event… more details to follow!

This semester, two students are working with Dr. Dawn Ward on her ongoing research project using organic chemistry techniques to synthesize inhibitors of hepatitis C. In the picture above, Dr. Ward assists biochemistry junior, Robert Chen, as he prepares for a synthetic reaction. Chemistry junior, Malik Naanaa, analyzes his technique.

As is our usual fall tradition, freshman and transfer students in the School of the Sciences SCI 100, New Student Seminar, are building reef balls. These concrete balls are placed each spring in the Stevenson Reef in the Chesapeake Bay as part of the Bay restoration project. The reef balls are used for marine habitats, creating homes for oysters, mussels, fish, and many other forms of marine flora and fauna.

This year, all our chemistry and biochemistry majors in Mrs. Diane Payne’s class really enjoyed this project. Pictured here is one of our groups with their completed reef ball. This project is a great opportunity for students to work together to give of themselves for the environment.