WSU ACS returns to in-person gatherings

Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, the Wayne State University American Chemical Society-Student Affiliates (WSU ACS-SA) successfully captured the essence of chemistry and scientific inquiry throughout the 2021-22 academic year. This year, as virtual events transitioned to in-person gatherings, WSU ACS-SA hosted several events aimed at creating connections, including a student- faculty mixer, a social gathering with ACS student chapters from other local universities and a trip to Michigan State University's rare isotope research laboratory.

Most notably, WSU ACS-SA hosted a cancer research symposium in February 2022, featuring keynote speaker Jens Schmidt, along with supporting speakers Aliccia Bollig-Fischer and Mary Kay Pflum. The symposium also provided an opportunity for undergraduates to orally present research and posters from their laboratories. These posters were also featured at the ACS national conference in San Diego in March, where 10 WSU ACS students presented research, attended lectures supported by the Kavli Foundation, and networked with students and professors from across the country, thanks to a generous donation from WSU alumnus Edward Thomas, Ph.D. '77.

In the coming year, the club plans to get involved with the Detroit chapter of ACS and strengthen the bond between affiliate members, faculty and the community. For membership information, email the club at wsuacs@wayne.edu or follow @ WSUACSSA on Facebook and @wsu_acs on Twitter.

By Elizabeth Ballmann