North Central College Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

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The Jeffrey Bjorklund and David J. Rausch Endowment for Research in Organic Chemistry supports undergraduate research at North Central College. It provides financial assistance, enabling students to focus on research projects. With 18 years of collaboration, Drs. Bjorklund and Rausch emphasize the value of this immersive experience, helping students succeed in competitive programs, pursue graduate studies, or enter careers as bachelor-level scientists.

The Chemistry Department at North Central College was honored to host the 71st Annual Midwestern Association of Chemistry Teachers in Liberal Arts Colleges annual meeting on October 20-21 on our campus. We had an engaged set of attendees and excellent speakers including Dr. Ryan Sweeder from Michigan State University, Dr. Julia Kalow from Northwestern University, Dr. Anna Wuttig from University of Chicago, Kathy Nguyen (NCC alum 2020) from RHM Staffing Solutions, and Dr. Lourdes Norman-McKay from Florida State College at Jacksonville. We had a great time learning more about diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in STEM education and discussing ways to prepare students for their future careers. Thank you to all that participated and helped to make our event a success.

SMACS partnered with the American Chemical Society to provide a demo about the nature of dyes. Check it out!

Summer experience spotlight on Hector Torres '24 who is majoring in Biochemistry. Hector gained experience as a student researcher in the Chemistry Department with Dr. Nicholas Boaz. Working in the laboratory has been a learning experience professionally and academically - focusing on problem solving, analysis, and lab skills to propel him towards his career goal of working in Pharmacy.

Summer experience spotlight on Maria Alvarado '24. Maria gained experience related to her Chemistry major by participating in the prestigious Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This intensive summer research experience, funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF) provides mentoring and research experiences while allowing scholars to preview graduate school life. Maria has been doing research on a method that can destroy micro- and nano-plastics in aqueous solutions.

Interested in early acceptance to Medical School? Check out this testimonial from Tanner McQuality'22 who is a first year Med Student at LECOM.

17 McQuality, Tanner EAP Testimonial 1

Check out what Jacob Nesemeier '17 has been up to!

This week's Alumni Spotlight shines on Jacob Nesemeier '17 (Biochemistry), now an R&D Scientist at Elephas. Jacob was also a Cardinal First Ambassador when the program was first piloted from 2014-2015. His advice for first-gen students, "Take advantage of all the resources available to you: North Central College offers a wide range of resources to help students succeed, such as tutoring services, writing centers, counseling services, and career centers. Make sure to take advantage of them. Build relationships with professors and advisors: they can be valuable resources for academic and career advice. Take the time to introduce yourself, attend office hours, and ask questions. Building a relationship with your professors and advisors also helps you navigate the college experience. Get involved on campus: Joining a club, organization, or team can help you meet new people, develop new skills, and gain leadership experience. It can also help you feel more connected to the college community. Manage your time wisely: College can be overwhelming, with classes, assignments, and extracurricular activities competing for your time. Develop good time management habits, such as making a schedule, setting priorities, and avoiding procrastination. Don't be afraid to ask for help: If you're struggling with a class, feeling overwhelmed, or experiencing personal problems, don't hesitate to ask for help. Talk to your professors, advisors, or a counselor. They are there to support you and help you succeed. Remember, being a first-generation college student is an accomplishment in itself. You have already overcome many obstacles to get to where you are today. Keep working hard, stay focused, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Good luck!"

Exciting things happening in WSC! Summer research continues on!

Summer research is getting off to a great start!

School may be out for summer, but we are still learning. Today we traveled to the EPA region 5 lab in Chicago. We had a great time touring their lab and enjoying the city!

During the final exam period the honors class on the science of blue created a painting with the pigments they created this semester.