Chemistry and Biochemistry News

This summer, Zoe Singman is shadowing a Head & Neck Cancer surgeon at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. She observes her in both the clinic and the operating room and she is performing a clinical research project with her as well.

In Zoe’s own words: “I am really enjoying my experience! I am learning about basic outpatient and surgical care, and I feel it is most rewarding to observe the unique patient-physician relationship. I am inspired by the surgeon’s gentle, caring manner and her staunch advocacy of the patient in the clinic and the operating room. This experience ties directly into my career goal as a physician as I am becoming familiarized with the daily schedule and activities of a doctor. I also hope to one day emulate the amazing bedside manner that I have been privileged to see.”

For her capstone experience, Biochemistry Senior, Courtney Aceto (right), is working at the Division of Malaria Research at University of Maryland Baltimore under the supervision of Dr. Amed Ouattara. The two research projects that she is working on are “Genotyping New vs Recrudescent Malaria Infections” and “Sequencing of Circumpsporozoite Protein to Distinguish New from Recrudescent Infections.” Courtney thoroughly enjoys the work that she is doing. “My capstone directly ties into my career goals of researching infectious disease as an epidemiologist. I can use this experience for both my academics and practice in the field.”

At the end of July, Dr. Michelle Ivey (in red) attended the PKAL Summer Leadership Institute in Adamstown, MD. At the Institute, she worked with mentors and other attendees to develop exciting ideas on increasing success and fostering an environment that embraces and encourages diversity. She plans to start incorporating these ideas at Stevenson this year.

Four new elements, discovered in recent years, have now been named, pending final approval. IUPAC, The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, allows the people who discover elements to name them, provided they name the elements in one of the following categories: mythological concepts, minerals, a place or country, a property or a scientist.

Nihonium and symbol Nh, for the element 113: Nihon is Japanese for Japan, the place where the it was discovered. This is the first element discovered and named after an Asian country.

Moscovium and symbol Mc, for the element 115 is for Moscow, the home of the Joint Institute of Nuclear Research.

Tennessine and symbol Ts, for the element 117 is for Tennessee, in recognition of this region’s contribution to superheavy element research.

Oganesson and symbol Og, for the element 118 is for Russian nuclear physicist Yuri Oganessian.

The new names are now being reviewed by the public and formal approval by the IUPAC Council will be announced in early November.

Dr. Tim Dwyer and Dr. Jeremy Burkett took a short break from class preparations to compete in the 2nd Annual Druid Hill “Ace Race” disc golf tournament this past weekend. The tournament tests a player’s accuracy by only allowing everyone to throw a single shot per hole! Points are earned either by scoring a hole-in-one (“ace”) or by hitting different parts of the basket. Out of a field of 28 players, Dr. Dwyer and Dr. Burkett scored high enough to finish in 14th and 12th place, respectively!