A celebration of community and research, new graduate students welcomed in department symposium

By Charlyn Paradis | Thursday, September 19, 2024
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First-year graduate students, entering class of 2024 (Phot by Koby Chen)

The Chemistry Department welcomed the newest cohort of graduate students in a celebration of community and research at the Yale Chemistry Symposium on Aug. 23.

As is tradition, the annual welcome event is organized by the entire 2nd-year student cohort with the help of office staff. This year’s event co-chairs were Shane Finn and Maria Guerrero.

The new 1st-years started the day by attending orientation and student-led tours before joining 2nd-year graduate students and the faculty for a welcome lunch. After lunch the entire department gathered in the Sterling Chemistry Laboratory lecture hall to hear the latest in Yale Chemistry research. The symposium included a faculty keynote speaker, graduate student presentations, an awards ceremony, and a poster session. All this is to celebrate the Yale Chemistry community and help the 1st-years decide which chemistry area to study and faculty lab to join as they pursue their Ph.D.

The symposium started with a welcome to the 1st-year students by Nilay Hazari, the John Randolph Huffman Professor of Chemistry and new department chair. The Director of Graduate Studies Professor J. Patrick Loria recognized 17 students for their excellence in teaching, research, and leadership by announcing the Chemistry Research Fellowship Awards, the T.F. Cooke Teaching Awards, and an American Chemical Society award. These students serve as role models for the new class of 1st-year students.

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Stacy Malaker (Photo by Koby Chen)

Keynote speaker Professor Stacy Malaker, who is making a reputation for herself as a pioneer in the field of glycoproteomics, discussed her lab’s research on the glycosylation of mucins. These glycoproteins are linked to numerous diseases and are notoriously difficult to study. Her lab – many of whom she pointed to in the audience and thanked for their hard work – develops methods of analysis by using mass spectrometry.

During the symposium, seven graduate students from various labs presented their research. They spoke about studies which have implications on photosynthesis, disease processes and therapeutics, quantum chemistry with artificial intelligence, and CO2 conversion.

student poster presenter talking with listener

Photo by Koby Chen.

The impressive show of research continued out in the great hall, where 40 graduate students stood by their posters, eager to share their latest findings.

After the poster session, everyone headed outside for an evening of dining and socializing in the Chemistry Courtyard.

Congratulations to Award Winners

T.F. Cooke Teaching Awards

Established to recognize excellence as a teaching assistant, the award is bestowed to graduate students based on their teaching evaluations and faculty recommendations.

Pen Chang
Betel Erkalo
Alec Hegg
Devi Oniani
Melissa Pighetti
Alexa Williams

Chemistry Research Fellowship Awards

These awards, which are named after esteemed Yale chemists, are given to graduate students based on nominations and recommendations from the faculty.

Abbigayle Cuomo, Berson Fellowship, Named after Jerome Berson
Teddy Gerard, Onsanger Fellowship, Named after Lars Onsager
Ramsey Goodner, Wiberg Fellowship, Named after Kenneth Wiberg
Vaani Gupta, Wasserman Fellowship, Named after Harry Wasserman
Payten Harville, Tully Fellowship, Named after John Tully
Madison Logelin, Berson Fellowship, Named after Jerome Berson
Samuel Schaefer, Tully Fellowship, Named after John Tully
Nicolò Tampellini, Wiberg Fellowship, Named after Kenneth Wiberg
Zhijie (Steve) Wang, Roberts Fellowship, Named after Charlotte Roberts
Yanyu Zhao, Moore Fellowship, Named after Peter Moore

American Chemical Society Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholars Recognition Program Award

Linda Zuckerman, Leadership in the Promotion of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect

Thank you to the student volunteers who organized the symposium.

View a photo gallery of the day.