The art of communicating complex science is a learned skill for most young researchers.  This summer, eight undergraduate CLP Lambert Fellows and Summer Scholars were given the opportunity to practice their scientific presentation skills at Chemistry of Life Processes Institute’s annual Undergraduate Research Symposium.

In addition to presenting the outcomes of their research working in the labs of CLP faculty members, students responded to questions from the audience which consisted of CLP administrators, faculty, and other lab mentors.  Their research projects, ranging from studies of cancer, neurological disorders and other diseases, enabled the young researchers to try new techniques and approaches to solving big questions and advance their understanding of biology, chemistry, biomedical engineering and math.

Symposium participants included:

Radoslaw (Rad) Chrzanowski, CLP Lambert Scholar. Major: Chemistry/WCAS. Faculty Mentor: Richard B. Silverman. Presentation Title: Optimization of Potent and Selective 2-Aminopyridine nNOS Inhibitors.

Alejandro Medina, CLP Lambert Scholar. Major: Chemistry/WCAS. Faculty Mentor: Richard B. Silverman. Presentation Title: Synthesis of a new cyclopentene-based compound as a selective inactivator of ornithine aminotransferase.

Charlie (Tiger) Wang, Lambert Scholar. Major: Chemistry/WACAS. Faculty Mentor: Richard B. Silverman. Presentation Title: Treatment of Epilepsy by the Inhibition of GABA-AT.

JoJo Holm, CLP Lambert Scholar. Major: Chemistry/WCAS. Faculty Mentor: Nathan Gianneschi. Presentation Title: Optimization of a Proteomimetic Therapeutic for Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Anthony Tam, CLP Lambert Scholar. Major: Chemistry/WCAS. Faculty Mentor: Karl Scheidt. Presentation Title: Photoinduced Acylations Via Azolium-Promoted Intermolecular Hydrogen Atom Transfer.

Connor Moore, CLP Summer Scholar.  Major: Chemical Engineering/McCormick. Faculty Mentor: Guillermo Ameer. Presentation Title: 3D-Printed Radiopaque Bioresorbable Stents for Improved Device Visualization.

Isabella (Izzy) He, CLP Summer Scholar. Major: Biological Sciences/WCAS. Faculty Mentor: Alfred George, MD. Presentation Title: Functional and pharmacological characterization of neurodevelopmental-related KCNH1 mutations.

Sean Pascoe, CLP Summer Scholar. Major: Molecular Biosciences/Biological Sciences/WCAS. Faculty Mentor: Thomas Hope. Presentation Title: From Organism to Virion: Quantitative Image Analysis in HIV Localization Research.

After the individual presentations, Sheila Judge, Research Professor and CLP’s Senior Director for Research, Education, and Administration, presented each student with a certificate of completion.

Before the symposium’s conclusion, students shared their thoughts about their future career aspirations. Many were looking to continue to graduate or medical school to prepare for careers in academia, healthcare, or the biotech industry.

“We’ve had many CLP undergraduate researchers enter highly competitive graduate programs and medical school. Participating in research, especially of the caliber that this group is doing, is a golden ticket for graduate programs and medical schools,” said Judge. “The undergraduates in our programs are very well positioned.”

In addition to the Undergraduate Research Symposium, CLP provides ample opportunities for undergraduates to work on their communications skills, including special workshops and the chance to present at the Chicago Area Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Main image (left to right): CLP Undergraduate Symposium participants: Connor Moore, Sean Pascoe, JoJo Holm, Izzy He, Rad Chrzanowski, Alejandro Medina, Anthony Tam, Tiger Wang

Story and photo by Lisa La Vallee