The UNI Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry is excited to welcome UNI alum Dr. Cassara Higgins as the guest speaker of this year’s Leland Wilson Lecture Series. Higgins is a 2016 graduate of UNI, who double-majored in Chemistry and Physics, who currently works as a nuclear chemist at Los Alamos National Lab in New Mexico. Higgins will present a talk titled “79 Years After Oppenheimer: Los Alamos National Lab’s Mission Today” at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 24, in the Lantz Auditorium in McCollum Science Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
The UNI Student Chapter of the American Chemical Society, in collaboration with students from other science departments, will be hosting a “Halloween House” Friday, October 25th from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., on the second floor of McCollum Science Hall. UNI students will be performing Halloween-themed science demonstrations and supervising hands-on activities in rooms such as the “Pirates’ Cove” “and “Frankenstein’s Lab."
There’s a common misconception that science is a solitary act, one that only happens sitting inside of a lab. But Josh Sebree, associate professor of astrochemistry and astrobiology at UNI, is on a mission to show his students that that couldn’t be further from the truth.
When the average person looks at a fireworks display, they probably aren’t thinking of the chemistry concepts behind the fiery spectacle. But that’s exactly what UNI senior chemistry major Kate Mostek does. Since her parents run a fireworks business, she has extensive knowledge of what it takes to put on an impressive show.
“Even the colors of fireworks are really chemistry dependent,” she explained. “Each color is made out of a different metal salt, and then you can brighten and dull the colors with different combinations.”
The University of Northern Iowa Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry will welcome Patrick Fier to speak as part of this year’s Leland Wilson Lecture Series. Fier will present “The Importance of Organic Chemistry in Developing New Medicines” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, in the Lantz Auditorium in McCollum Science Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
University of Northern Iowa alum Dr. Kimryn Rathmell (‘91) was elected this year to membership in the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), a prestigious, non-governmental organization that advises the nation and the world on important aspects of medical science, health care and public health.
A biochemistry degree from the University of Northern Iowa will set you on the path to success. If you’re on track to becoming a physician, you’ll be in great company since our biochemistry graduates have a 100% medical school acceptance rate. Hear from student Emma Pelligrino about her experiences in the program.
WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, SD – The University of Northern Iowa’s Josh Sebree, an Associate Professor with the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry will be hosting a program Tuesday, April 19, at 3 p.m. CDT on the Wind Cave National Park’s Facebook page in celebration of National Park Week.
In honor of Women’s History Month, a new exhibit to celebrate Women in STEM is on display at the National Mall in Washington DC.
Out of 120 women featured in the exhibit, two of the women are graduates of UNI – both hailing from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry: Dr. Jennifer Stimpson (Chemistry M.A., 1996) and Dr. Raychelle Burks (Chemistry B.S., 2001).
