Sapere aude
It may have been quite a blustery day at Davis Islands Beach, but that didn’t stop Honors students from enjoying some down-time time picnicking together and catching up as the sun started to set. Many thanks to all those who helped to provide transportation to and from the event!
Honors students gave back to the local community through a service project organized by HEC Service subcommittee chair, Anna Popham. In addition to bringing in much-needed donations for women’s shelter ‘Hope for Her’, students assembled the items in care packages and participated in an art project meant to uplift and encourage. The director of Hope for Her was deeply appreciative of our students’ donations and efforts and Honors is proud of all those students who participated.
I was able to attend the National American Chemical Society Conference in San Diego this spring to present my research on the 1,2-Diazidation and 1,2-Azidooxygenation of 1,3-Dienes Utilizing Zhdankin’s Reagent. My time in San Diego was truly inspiring, for I was able to meet and see many highly experienced chemists present their current research. I was able to attend this conference with my mentor, Dr. Brett Hemric, my lab mates, Jacob Pangborn, Jeremy Williamson, and Caroline Evans, as well as with many other students and faculty from the University of Tampa. This experience opened me up to understanding how to find the gaps in research and begin to help me see how to do the impossible. During my time at the conference, I was able to meet up with old friends from my past Summer REU, graduate school visits, and meet even more people! Being able to attend this conference allowed me to expand my network in chemical sciences. While I was not attending the conference, I was able to hike at Torrey Pines State Park, see Scripps Research Institute, and try many delicious foods! Going to San Diego allowed me to complete many firsts: first time in California, first time seeing seals, and first-time trying cactus! As I end my time here at the University of Tampa, I will be continuing my passion for chemistry by attending graduate school at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to pursue a PhD in Organic Chemistry. Although many people believe this is a difficult route to take, I want to inspire others to put their mind into the impossible and follow your dreams!
Best,
Adri Barni