Senior biochemistry major Riley Schap was selected for the Society of Applied Spectroscopy Undergraduate Student Award in May, 2025. She traveled to Pittsburgh with her Mom, and Professor Tracey Mason to attend the annual awards banquet. There, Riley was presented with her certificate, a check and a one-year subscription to the Journal of Applied Spectroscopy. Riley said ” I am honored to be recognized for my spectroscopy research, but it means even more to me that this award highlights the critical work being done to address Konzo disease in the [Democratic] Republic of Congo. Beyond personal recognition, I’m grateful that this spotlight brings much-needed attention to the communities affected by this debilitating condition, and to the importance of advancing accessible scientific solutions.”
Thanks also goes to Dr. Matt Bramble (BS’10) who approached us with a question of selenium deficiency in Konzo sufferers; we have enjoyed the collaboration with one of our SOS alumni.