Chemistry challenge problems
Chemistry Minor Graduates
2014: Emily Diller (Applying to Medical School), Katrina Peninoy (Accepted to Roseman Pharmacy Program, also see her story), Danielle Thomas (Accepted to Graduate School at the University of Missouri, Kansas City), Bernadette Stanton (Applying to Pharmacy School), Ryan (John) Busk (Applying to Dental School).
American Chemical society
The Las Vegas area has a very active section of the American Chemical Society, which invites the involvement of students. To take part in the ACS events, you will need to join the society (membership webpage). Here are some of the upcoming events for the 2014-2015 year:
- Anti-cancer research seminar by Dr. Van Vo ( 5:30 pm, September 4, 2014 at The Chemistry Building - Room 101, UNLV)
- SNS Welcome Breakfast (September 13, 2014, Location: TBA) - SNS will host a breakfast event announcing upcoming ACS events. Look for an announcement in August).
- National Chemistry Week Activities - "Sweet Side of Chemistry" (October 19 - 25, 2014) - Students interested in volunteering time to helping with demonstration to 5th grade student can inquire here.
- SNS Annual Poster Competition (Sat morning, Nov. 22nd, 2014 at Nevada State College!!!) - Graduate, Undergraduate, and High School Poster will be judged and awarded monetary prizes.
To learn more about the Southern Nevada Local Section click here: SNS website
SPotlight Student: Emily Diller
Graduation Date: May 2014
Student Activities and Organizations:
Anatomy and Physiology Honors Society, Vice President 2011-2012; Pre-Medical Society, President 2012-2013; Student Academic Center Science Tutor, August 2012 to present
Recent Success: Received 1st place recognition for her research submission at the American Chemical Society Undergraduate Poster Contest
Emily’s Advice: “Get, and stay, organized. Have a planner or calendar to keep track of due dates and appointments. Learn to take good notes during lecture so that when you study outside of class you have your own interpretation of the material to review.” “I originally chose NSC because of the accelerated nursing program. I stayed to pursue my bachelor’s in biology because of the faculty, small class sizes, and research opportunities. Having come from a large university with large classes and a wide variety of graduate level research programs, it is refreshing to attend NSC where professors are approachable and very dedicated to undergraduate student success.” Transitioning from a five-year career in theatre production management, Emily Diller made a choice to attend Nevada State College in purist of a second bachelor’s degree; this time to explore her interests in science and healthcare.
Initially joining NSC as a nursing major in the accelerated program, Diller decided to switch her area of study to biology and chemistry with the goal of attending medical school.
In 2006, Diller received a B.A. in Spanish with a minor in Theater from Texas Tech University. Throughout her time at NSC, she has been actively involved in undergraduate research opportunities available at the college, such as IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), a national program aimed to create hands-on laboratory experiences for undergraduate students in the field of biomedical sciences.
Working closely with her mentor, NSC Assistant Professor of Chemistry Zachary Woydziak, Diller was able to present her INBRE research project during the American Chemical Society (ACS) Undergraduate Poster Contest in November of 2013.
“My project was a summary of research that I did during the summer of 2013. I was attempting to attach nitrogen containing amine groups to certain existing benzene rings. This reaction is useful because many types of drugs (such as anti-anxiety medications, beta-blockers, and anesthetics) use these particular groups. Traditionally, adding the nitrogen containing groups requires high temperatures and pressure, but the technique that Dr. Woydziak and I worked on can add these groups using much less heat and pressure. This could help with the creation of newer drugs, or enable current ones to be manufactured more cheaply.”
Diller’s received first place recognition from the ACS for poster presentation.
“I would not be where I am today without the constant encouragement from Dean Andy Kuniyuki. Many of my professors have helped guide me on my path, and took time out of their day many times to help prepare me for the MCAT. (Dr. Kuniyuki would want you to know that I took the MCAT in May 2013 and scored in the 91.1-93.7 percentile range). Applying for medical school has been a daunting task and any time I stumble in my track or have questions about how to approach a problem, my mentors at NSC are willing to lend their advice and stories to help me make well-informed decisions.”
Diller is also an active member in student life, serving as the president of the Pre-Medical Society in 2012-2013 and the vice-president of the Anatomy and Physiology Honors Society in 2011-2012. She has additionally worked as a science tutor in the Student Academic Center on campus since August 2012.
Focused on completing her degree program at NSC in May of 2014, Diller is in the process of applying to medical school. She looks forward to an exciting career in emergency medicine.
Student Activities and Organizations:
Anatomy and Physiology Honors Society, Vice President 2011-2012; Pre-Medical Society, President 2012-2013; Student Academic Center Science Tutor, August 2012 to present
Recent Success: Received 1st place recognition for her research submission at the American Chemical Society Undergraduate Poster Contest
Emily’s Advice: “Get, and stay, organized. Have a planner or calendar to keep track of due dates and appointments. Learn to take good notes during lecture so that when you study outside of class you have your own interpretation of the material to review.” “I originally chose NSC because of the accelerated nursing program. I stayed to pursue my bachelor’s in biology because of the faculty, small class sizes, and research opportunities. Having come from a large university with large classes and a wide variety of graduate level research programs, it is refreshing to attend NSC where professors are approachable and very dedicated to undergraduate student success.” Transitioning from a five-year career in theatre production management, Emily Diller made a choice to attend Nevada State College in purist of a second bachelor’s degree; this time to explore her interests in science and healthcare.
Initially joining NSC as a nursing major in the accelerated program, Diller decided to switch her area of study to biology and chemistry with the goal of attending medical school.
In 2006, Diller received a B.A. in Spanish with a minor in Theater from Texas Tech University. Throughout her time at NSC, she has been actively involved in undergraduate research opportunities available at the college, such as IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), a national program aimed to create hands-on laboratory experiences for undergraduate students in the field of biomedical sciences.
Working closely with her mentor, NSC Assistant Professor of Chemistry Zachary Woydziak, Diller was able to present her INBRE research project during the American Chemical Society (ACS) Undergraduate Poster Contest in November of 2013.
“My project was a summary of research that I did during the summer of 2013. I was attempting to attach nitrogen containing amine groups to certain existing benzene rings. This reaction is useful because many types of drugs (such as anti-anxiety medications, beta-blockers, and anesthetics) use these particular groups. Traditionally, adding the nitrogen containing groups requires high temperatures and pressure, but the technique that Dr. Woydziak and I worked on can add these groups using much less heat and pressure. This could help with the creation of newer drugs, or enable current ones to be manufactured more cheaply.”
Diller’s received first place recognition from the ACS for poster presentation.
“I would not be where I am today without the constant encouragement from Dean Andy Kuniyuki. Many of my professors have helped guide me on my path, and took time out of their day many times to help prepare me for the MCAT. (Dr. Kuniyuki would want you to know that I took the MCAT in May 2013 and scored in the 91.1-93.7 percentile range). Applying for medical school has been a daunting task and any time I stumble in my track or have questions about how to approach a problem, my mentors at NSC are willing to lend their advice and stories to help me make well-informed decisions.”
Diller is also an active member in student life, serving as the president of the Pre-Medical Society in 2012-2013 and the vice-president of the Anatomy and Physiology Honors Society in 2011-2012. She has additionally worked as a science tutor in the Student Academic Center on campus since August 2012.
Focused on completing her degree program at NSC in May of 2014, Diller is in the process of applying to medical school. She looks forward to an exciting career in emergency medicine.