JCSU Students Attended and Presented Research at the 50th NOBCChE Conference in New Orleans

Students, Mr. Saeed Dupree (Biology and Chemistry), Ms. Delaney Hill (Biology), Ms. Tay-Keara Bristol (Biology), and Mr. Tanaka Mbavarira (Computer Engineering) from the College of STEM were chosen to present their research at the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) 50th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA; September 11 – 14, 2023. Additionally, they all were awarded the Advancing Science Conference Grant (ASCG). As a 2023 ASCG recipient, these students were identified as “one of the country’s best and brightest upcoming scientists.” In addition to presenting their undergraduate research, students volunteered in several NOBCChE conference activities, attended NOBCChE’s career fair, and networked with peers and senior scientists from around the country. These students also attended the anniversary gala where they participated in the celebration of 50 years of NOBCChE building an “eminent cadre of scientists of color.” This black-tie event featured special guest speaker, Dr. Mae Carol Jemison, an American engineer, physician, and the first African-American woman to travel into space. This was an amazing experience for these students at the NOBCChE 50th Annual Meeting, and they would like other students just like them to participate in future scientific conferences. All students are members of the Minority–Polymer Undergraduate Research Experiences (M-PURE) program under the leadership of Dr. Tracy Brown–Fox. Also, all students’ research projects were supported by NSF Award: #2101209