Five Westminster College senior chemistry majors presented results of their research at the American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting and Exposition March 25-29 in Anaheim, Calif.

Nathan Barefoot presented "Photocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide through the Use of Metal Porphyrins: Inspired by Chlorophyll."  The research was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Peter Smith, Westminster associate professor of chemistry.

The goal of Barefoot's research was to use sunlight to transform carbon dioxide into a material of greater value.  Hematoporphyrin complexed with cobalt(II), which functioned to absorb light and serve as a catalyst, was studied to determine its ability to accomplish the goal.

"Presenting my research at ACS was an incredible experience," Barefoot said.  "Getting to meet different people from various fields of chemistry and seeing the cutting-edge research that is going on today was amazing."

Barefoot is a son of Deborah Barefoot of Huntingdon and a graduate of Huntingdon Area High School. 

Keri Biedka presented "Greener Ether Synthesis from Conjugated Dienes in Organic Curriculum" in the undergraduate poster session and was chosen for the Sci-Mix poster presentation.  The research was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Timothy Sherwood, associate professor and chair of Westminster's Department of Chemistry.

Organic chemistry students are often taught the mechanism of this reaction in classes but do not focus on this concept in the lab.  Biedka's research focused on creating a new laboratory for sophomore organic chemistry students that would provide a visual example to help them better understand the concept and allow them to gain a greater knowledge of what occurs in the reaction.

"The American Chemical Society National Meeting was an amazing experience," Biedka said.  "I'm glad I had the opportunity to participate.  I was surrounded by thousands of my peers who also had a passion for chemistry, allowing me to meet, network, and socialize with many other chemists."

Biedka is a daughter of Mark and Amy Biedka of Harmony and a graduate of Seneca Valley High School.

Christopher Bodle presented his Honors project, "Inhibition of Copper Amine Oxidase: Implications into Possible Treatments for Age-Related Macular Degeneration."  The research was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Larry Miller, Westminster assistant professor of chemistry, who accompanied the students.

This study is part of a larger collaboration of work whose goal is to develop an inhibitory mechanism that could lead to promising drug treatments for macular degeneration.

"Presenting my research in Anaheim wasn't as stressful as I thought it would be," Bodle said.  "Getting everything ready for the presentation-finishing the project, analyzing the data, making the poster-was stressful, but the actual presentation went very well.  Initially, I was nervous, but as I talked about my project I found that, after a year of research and trials, I knew my project inside and out."

Bodle is a son of Kenneth and Dorothy Bodle of Clearfield and a graduate of Clearfield Area High School.

Biochemistry major Lori Katrencik presented "Greener Ether Synthesis with Zirconium and Hafnium Catalysts."  Her research adviser was Sherwood.

Synthesis of esters is key to many processes that produce several important compounds found in medicines, flavors, and fragrances.  Green chemistry principles have been applied by other researchers to reduce the amount of waste in the traditional synthesis of esters.  These greener methodologies employ zirconium and hafnium catalysts to reduce synthetic steps and increase synthetic yield.  The goal of this research is to adapt greener ester synthesis for organic chemistry lecture and laboratory curriculum.

Katrencik is a daughter of Lilian Katrencik and the late Lawrence Katrencik of McDonald and a graduate of Fort Cherry High School.

Also presenting was senior biology and biochemistry major Eric Cargal, a son of Timothy and Sherri Cargal of Louisville, Ky., and a graduate of Springbrook High School.

The students received travel/presentation grants from Westminster's Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning to attend the meeting.

The Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning was created to enrich undergraduate education at Westminster through advancing world-class teaching as well as by participating in collaborations that address community and regional needs including strengthening K-12 education.  The Undergraduate Research Initiative provides funding for students to conduct research and to present their research at regional and national conferences.  Visit www.westminster.edu/drinko for more information about the Drinko Center and its programs.

Contact Miller at (724) 946-7294 or email millerls@westminster.edu for additional information.

Keri Biedka

Christopher Bodle

Eric Cargal

Drinko Center Information