Calling All Undergraduates in the Mid-Hudson ACS Section 25th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium
Friday, April 25, 2025 SUNY New Paltz 1 Hawk Drive New Paltz, NY 12561
You are invited to submit an abstract for and present a poster of your work at our 25th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. You may be selected for a research award if you submit a paper, details are found here.
This symposium provides an opportunity for undergraduates from colleges in the mid-Hudson Valley to present their research in the chemical sciences. All areas of chemistry, environmental science, molecular biology, and related fields are welcome. A poster session will allow students to share their work, followed by an invited lecture and a buffet dinner.
Symposium Program 3:30–4:00 PM: Check-In & Poster Set-Up in Science Hall 4:00–4:40 PM: Poster session A 4:40-5:20 PM: Poster session B 5:30–6:00 PM: Awards and Announcements – Coykendall Science Building (CSB) Auditorium 6:00 PM: Lecture by Dr. Karena Chapman, Stony Brook University–CSB Auditorium 7:00 PM: Buffet Dinner in Science Hall (Reservations required)
Lecture: X-ray Vision: Bringing Future Materials into Focus by Dr. Karena Chapman, Stony Brook University
Abstract: Our need for clean energy drives widespread materials research, from energy storage in lithium-ion batteries to efficient catalytic conversions of chemical fuels to the capture of CO2 from the air around us. Breakthroughs can be driven by discoveries of new materials or advances in the tools that we use to understand how these materials form, function, and fail. Our research uses advanced characterization tools to probe the structure of energy materials in situ, as they function or react. This allows us to identify how their functional behaviors are governed by their structure and chemistry. These fundamental insights serve as a road map towards next-generation clean energy solutions.
About the Speaker: Karena Chapman is at the forefront of a materials revolution as the Endowed Chair in Materials Chemistry at Stony Brook University. Prior to her tenure at Stony Brook, she embraced synchrotron science as a tool for chemistry at Argonne National Laboratory, where she led the development of the world’s first dedicated X-ray Pair Distribution Function instrument at the Advanced Photon Source.
With roots in Australia, she earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Sydney. Her research lies at the intersection of structure, function, and reactivity in energy-relevant materials, often pushing the boundaries of what can be revealed through advanced synchrotron techniques. Her work spans diverse fields, from nuclear waste storage solutions to nanoporous frameworks for catalysis, CO₂ capture, and novel materials discovery.
Recognized as one of the American Chemical Society’s Talented 12 in 2016 and recipient of the 2022 Hanawalt award and 2015 MRS Outstanding Young Investigator Award, Karena's contributions to the field are widely recognized. As an editor for ACS Energy Letters, and the Deputy Director of GENESIS, a Next Generation Synthesis Center funded by the Department of Energy, she continues to shape the future of materials chemistry.
Call for Poster Abstracts: To present a poster, please email your abstract (200 words or less) as an attachment to: [email protected] on or before Wednesday, 26th March (see second deadline below for submitting additional information including dinner reservation). Please follow the instructions below: 1. Please use the following subject line format when preparing your email: MHURS25 Abstract Advisor’s Name (replace “Advisor’s Name” with the advisor's last name) 2. Attach each abstract as a separate Microsoft Word file. The filename should include: the first author’s last name, the institution name, and the faculty advisor’s last name. 3. Use 16-point Times New Roman font with one-inch margins all around for all text. 4. Do not include references. 5. Include an abstract header with each of the following items centered, on separate lines, and formatted as follows: a) Title: in bold and all caps b) Author names: in bold and separated by commas. The faculty advisor’s name should be followed by an asterisk (*) c) Institution Name: in bold d) Institution Address: in bold e) Faculty Advisor’s Email Address: in bold and lower case
There is a $25 conference fee per poster up to $400 maximum per school.
NEW THIS YEAR: We are asking each institution to elect a point person responsible for providing the total number of posters, the names of each attendee (student and faculty/staff), and whether they will be presenting a poster and/or staying for dinner. Please use the sample spreadsheet found here to collect all information and then send a completed copy to [email protected] by Fri. 28 March. All other attendees (not those affiliated with a college/university) should contact Joan Skinner, [email protected] to register for the symposium and the dinner.
Buffet Dinner: Dinner will be served following the lecture ($30/person or complimentary for awardees).
Poster Size: Posters should be printed to be 36˝ H x 42˝ W. Posters larger than 50˝ in a given dimension will not fit the available poster-stands. Posters may be attached with Velcro stickers or push pins (these will be supplied). Printing in landscape orientation is highly recommended.
Directions: SUNY New Paltz is located at 1 Hawk Drive, New Paltz, NY. A map of the campus can be found here showing both Science Hall and Coykendall Science Building.
Parking: All attendees should park in the Route 32 Parking Lot (see link to map above), which is located on the east side of Route 32. Science Hall is a short walk to the north from there.
The Mid-Hudson Section of the American Chemical Society and SUNY New Paltz present the 24th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium
The Mid-Hudson Section of the American Chemical Society and Bard College present the 23rd Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium
Friday, April 21, 2023 Bard College 30 Campus Rd Annandale-On-Hudson, NY 12504
Fun with 1 and 2 Electron Reactions
Speaker: Dr. Patrick Walsh University of Pennsylvania, Chemistry Department
Abstract: The umpolung synthesis of diarylmethylamines via palladium-catalyzed arylation of 2-azaallyl anion intermediates and related reactions and enantioselective versions will be presented. Next, the observation that that 2-azaallyl anions can behave as organic super-electron-donors (SED) will be introduced. Such unique behavior is illustrated in (i) generation of 2-azaallyl radicals from single-electron-transfer (SET) between 2-azaallyl anions and neutral ketimines, which then couple with vinyl bromides; (ii) generation of 2-azaallyl radicals from SET of 2-azaallyl anions with aryl and alkyl electrophiles, which generate aryl and alkyl radicals leading to formation of C–C bonds. Finally, some novel organocatalysts based on sulfenate anions (ArSO) will be described.
Speaker Biography: Patrick J. Walsh was born in San Diego, California. He received his B.A. from University of California, San Diego in 1986, and Ph.D. in 1991 from University of California, Berkeley with Prof. Robert G. Bergman. He moved back to San Diego for a postdoc with Prof. K. B. Sharpless (two-time Nobel laureate in Chemistry) at Scripps (1991–1994). From 1994–1999 he was an assistant professor at San Diego State University and professor at Centro de Graduados e Investigación, Instituto Tecnológico de Tijuana (1996–1999). In 1999 he moved to the University of Pennsylvania where he is Professor of Inorganic Chemistry. With Prof. Marisa Kozlowski, he co-authored Fundamentals of Asymmetric Catalysis. Prof. Walsh enjoys extensive collaborations with labs around the world. Over his career Prof. Walsh and his team have worked in several areas of organic, organometallic, and inorganic synthesis and catalysis. Major focuses of their work include early research on organozinc- and titanium-based catalysts. Later the Walsh group became interested in late-transition metal- and lanthanide-based catalysts for C–S and C–C bond formations. Recent directions include development of sulfur-based organocatalysts and exploration of the unexpected reactivity of azaallyl anions. A commonality of this work has been a strong desire to elucidate reaction mechanisms. In 2016 Prof. Walsh won the undergraduate mentoring award and is currently the PI of the NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates at Penn.
The Mid-Hudson Section of the American Chemical Society and Mount Saint Mary College present the
22nd Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium
Friday, April 29, 2022 Mount Saint Mary College Newburgh, NY 12550
This symposium provides an opportunity for undergraduates from mid-Hudson colleges to present their research in the chemical sciences. All areas of chemistry, environmental science, molecular biology, and related fields are welcome. A poster session will allow students to share their work, followed by an invited lecture and a buffet dinner. ** Current Covid policy allows visitors on campus, with optional masking. This could change, depending on the current local Covid conditions.
Symposium Program
3:30–4:00 PM: Check-In & Poster Set-Up in Aquinas Hall 4:00–4:40 PM: Poster session A 4:40-5:20 PM: Poster session B 5:30–6:00 PM: Awards and Announcements – Hudson Hall 6:00 PM: Lecture by Dr. Darryl Boyd – Hudson Hall 7:00 PM: Buffet Dinner (Reservations required)
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Fabrication of High Refractive Index, Infrared Transmitting Organically Modified Chalcogenide (ORMOCHALC) Polymers
Darryl A. Boyd, PhD Research Chemist, Optical Sciences Division, Naval Research Laboratory
Abstract ORganically MOdified CHALCogenide (ORMOCHALC) polymers are novel materials that can be synthesized through the recently discovered inverse vulcanization process. Inverse vulcanization requires the heating of chalcogenide comonomers along with compounds that contain available pi electrons, with sulfur being the most common chalcogen used in these reactions due to its properties and abundance. The composition of the polymers presented includes the use of previously unexplored multi-vinyl branching agents, as well as polymer backbones that contain elements other than sulfur, such as selenium. The crosslinking by unique species, and the use of selenium as a backbone component are significant in that they have a direct and pronounced effect on the optical properties of the polymers produced. Specific optical benefits of ORMOCHALC polymers include the extensive infrared transmission profile and the unusually high refractive indices these polymers possess. The synthesis and optical characterization of unique ORMOCHALC polymers are presented.
Biography Dr. Darryl A. Boyd is a Research Chemist at the US Naval Research Lab (NRL) in Washington, DC working in the Optical Sciences Division. He has a BS in Chemistry from the University of Michigan, and Master and Doctorate degrees from Purdue University in Biochemistry and Inorganic Chemistry, respectively. Following his graduate work, Dr. Boyd began working at NRL as a National Research Council postdoc. His primary research focuses on the development of novel sulfur-based polymers that have unique optical properties, including unprecedented infrared transmission capabilities. His research efforts have earned him recognitions that include winning the 2021 BEYA Admiral Michelle Howard Legacy Award, being named to the 2020 class of ‘Distinguished Alumni’ for Purdue University’s College of Science, the 2019 National Academy of Engineering ‘Frontiers in Engineering class,’ the 2019 SPIE class of ‘Rising Researchers,’ and the 2018 class of Chemical & Engineering News ‘Talented 12.’ Independent of his research job, for years Dr. Boyd has volunteered throughout the country, introducing grade school children to Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM). This includes efforts through his science-focused YouTube Channel (as Dr. Boyd The Chemist), and his company “Science Made Simple LLC.” He is an active member of several scientific organizations, including the ACS, NOBCChE, and the Chemical Society of Washington. Finally, Dr. Boyd and his wonderful wife have a beautiful daughter, with another child on the way.
Call for Poster Abstracts: To present a poster, please submit an abstract of 200 words or less. Please make every effort to adhere to the specific formatting guidelines, as follows:
Submit each abstract as a separate Microsoft Word file. The filename should include: the first author’s last name, the institution name, and the faculty advisor’s last name.
Use 16 point Times New Roman font with one inch margins all around.
Do not include references.
Include an abstract header with each of the following items centered, on separate lines, and formatted as follows a) Title: in bold and all caps b) List of authors: in bold and separated by commas. The faculty advisor’s name should be followed by an asterisk (*) c) Institution Name: in bold d) Institution Address: in bold (e.g., 330 Powell Avenue, Newburgh, NY 12550) e) Faculty Advisor’s Email Address: in bold and lower case
Poster Information: To fit on the poster boards, posters should be approximately 48 inches wide by 36 inches in height.
Abstract submission: Please submit your abstract as an email attachment on or before Thursday, April 7th to: [email protected] . If you are unable to meet this deadline, please contact Dr. Lynn Maelia ([email protected]) to make arrangements. There is a $25 conference fee per poster up to $400 maximum per school, which will be billed to your school. In addition to sending your abstract by email, please register by clicking the link below.
Registration: You must register in advance for this meeting, even if you are giving a poster. You can register at this link:
This year’s virtual symposium provides an opportunity for undergraduates from Mid-Hudson colleges to present their research in the chemical sciences. All areas of chemistry, environmental science, molecular biology, and related fields are welcome. A poster session will allow students to share their work, followed by an award ceremony and an invited lecture.
Symposium Program 3:30–4:00 PM: Participant Check-In 4:00–4:45 PM: Poster session A 4:45-5:30 PM: Poster session B 5:30–6:00 PM: Awards and Announcements 6:00 PM: Invited Lecture by Dr. Nasrin Hooshmand, Senior Research Scientist Georgia Tech Laser Dynamics Laboratory
Photos from 20th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Guest Speaker: Theodore Gray, author of The Elements “The Periodic Table: Completing a Work of Ages”
Abstract: The periodic table has been an inspiration since its outlines were first published 150 years ago. At first an inspiration for scientists to fill in its missing pieces. Then an inspiration for students to learn about the rich patterns and symmetries of chemistry. Now an inspiration to all of us as an example of what can be accomplished when a community of dedicated researchers works together over a span of seven generations to complete a task that only the last few could hope to see finished in their lifetime.
Speaker Bio: Theodore Gray is the co-founder of Wolfram Research, Inc, makers of Mathematica, and the author of The Elements, the internationally best-selling book and App on the beauty of the periodic table, translated into 25 languages. He is the creator of the BAFTA award-winning, 2013 iPad App of the Year Disney Animated, and proprietor of periodictable.com and mechanicalgifs.com. His most recent project is a book on the functional beauty of mechanical devices, to be published in the fall of 2019.
Photos from URS 2018
Guest Speaker: Dr. Bart Kahr, Department of Chemistry, New York University
“Why are Crystals Straight?”
Abstract: Why are Crystals Straight? In chemistry, we know the vast majority of what we know about molecular structure from the scattering of X-rays from crystals. Diffraction works so well because crystals have long range translational symmetry. In fact, crystals are straight, by definition. Their sharp edges and flat faces, so unlike most everything else in Nature, flash forth their symmetry, translational symmetry first and foremost. However, we have shown in the past decade that a large fraction of simple molecular (organic) crystals can be made to grow with helicoidal morphologies, as structures with curvature that are decidedly not straight. Studies of the mechanisms that give rise to these apparent distortions in crystals that twist as they grow has developed into a meditation and a program of computation aimed at understanding why and when crystals develop translational symmetry. We have come to see translational symmetry not as a requirement of crystallinity, but rather as an imperfect compromise between free energy and size.
About the Speaker: Bart Kahr was born in New York City in 1961. He studied chemistry with I. D. Reingold at Middlebury College, with Kurt Mislow at Princeton University (Ph.D., 1988), and with J. M. McBride at Yale University. He was a faculty member at Purdue University from 1990 to 1996 and at the University of Washington, Seattle from 1997 to 2009. After which, he returned to his hometown where he is currently Professor of Chemistry in the Molecular Design Institute at New York University. Kahr's research group studies the growth, structure, and physical properties of complex organized media. Bart also practices the experimental history of chemistry and crystallography, that is those aspects of the development of science of can only be informed by contemporary laboratory experiments. In recent years, he has been advocating for the changes in the way that universities and government agencies manage scientific misconduct. In 2014, he was named NSF Distinguished Lecturer in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
