Four Seniors to Present at Research Symposium in the Philippines
Four Wilmington College students will travel to the Philippines later this spring to present their research among peers from the United States and other countries at the ninth annual International Undergraduate Research Symposium (IURS).
(PICTURED) Gathering for the Monsanto check presentation are, from the left, seniors Hannah Fetters and Caitlin Pauley, Dr. Alfred Conklin, Brad Miller, Dr. Erika Goodwin, vice president for academic affairs, and seniors Whitney Rymer and Nina Veite.
Monsanto Corp. is supporting their educational endeavor by helping to defray travel expenses.
Brad Miller, a 1992 WC graduate, serves as technical agronomist for Monsanto subsidiaries DeKalb and Asgrow. He visited his alma mater March 28 to present a check for $3,000 from the parent company.
“It’s valuable to have experiences outside the classroom such as presenting research at this international forum,” said Miller, who wished to extend his support for the College’s hands-on learning opportunities available to students. “Monsanto is a diverse agriculture-based company that’s interested in promoting this type of learning.”
Those attending the symposium include: Hannah Fetters, a senior from Sardinia majoring in chemistry with minors in biology and mathematics; Caitlin Pauley, a senior from Kenton majoring in agriculture education with an agronomy concentration; Whitney Rymer, a senior chemistry major from Mt. Orab; and Nina Veite, a senior from Milford with a double major in chemistry and biology.
Fetters’ research topic is “Synthesizing an Analogue of Urushiol” while Pauley’s is “Soil Bulk Density and Cropping Systems.” Rymer’s research title is “Reactions between Juglone and Assorted Metals” and Veite’s is “Separation of Analgesies before and after Filtration with UV-Vis Analysts.”
Alfred Conklin, professor of chemistry and agriculture, will accompany the group to the Philippines, a nation he has visited numerous time over the years. He is a founder of the symposium that, through the years, also has been held at such locales as Ecuador, Serbia, India and Wilmington College. IURS is affiliated with the Fulbright Academy of Science and Technology.
“The whole idea is for undergraduates from different parts of the world to come together, exchange their research and share results,” Conklin said. “It’s a very synergistic interaction. Because of the types and quality of research, the students are able to form networks of scientists around the world.”
