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Sep 18, 2024

St. �山ǿ�� Honors students past and present of Dr. Scott Simpson had sensational summers, at home and abroad.

From earning a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry, to presenting research at a national conference, to completing an internship in New Zealand, the students pursued their goals while utilizing the many skill sets gained under Simpson’s tutelage.

Amanda Albert, a junior Health Sciences major with a Biomedical concentration from Long Island, New York, served as the first-ever visiting scholar at Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa (the Centre for Pacific and Global Health) at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. For eight weeks, Albert worked on numerous research projects, including studies on Pacific island cancer control, infectious diseases in New Zealand Pacific island youth populations, and mental health across several Pacific islands. 

Albert’s passion for medicine was ignited while witnessing her physician father improve the lives of his patients. Her goal is to one day become a physician skilled in both the clinical and cultural aspects of medical care.

“My time at Te Poutoko not only opened my eyes to the need for health care in the Pacific, but also showed me a potential future career path I may pursue,” Albert said.

Lillian Crane, a senior Chemistry major from Branchport, New York, joined Dr. Simpson in presenting research at the 2024 Fall American Chemical Society Meeting in Denver, Colorado.

They presented on the creation of a hydrogen storage device to enable the safe handling and use of hydrogen. Though considered one of the most flammable gases, hydrogen has the potential to be more environmentally friendly than traditional fossil fuels and is deemed to be a clean and renewable energy resource. Their research of novel molecules designed to function as “molecular corks” shows great promise for hydrogen storage and could help aid in the fight against climate change and the energy crisis.

“Participating in undergraduate research throughout my time at St. Bonaventure, and being able to share my research with other chemists at the ACS conference, was such a wonderful experience. It was the final piece to realizing that this is something I am so passionate about and want to continue doing for the rest of my life,” Crane said.

Alexandra Izydorczak, a Chemistry major and Mathematics minor and member of the Class of 2019, from Holland, New York, earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from University at Buffalo this summer in the analytical chemistry group, the Wood lab. In October, she begins work as a postdoctoral scholar for University of Pittsburgh in affiliation with UPMC in Pittsburgh in the Biofluid Biomarker Laboratory. Izydorczak will be involved with advancing biomarker research for neurodegenerative diseases.

“My research experience at Bona’s gave me a lot of experience in what chemistry is and allowed me to find my future direction with the Chemistry department’s help, especially Dr. Simpson.”

In her research, Izydorczak will be utilizing immunoassays and mass spectrometry. She received hands-on experience with mass spectrometry during her undergraduate years in Bona's Chemistry classes and furthered this experience in graduate school. Her undergraduate research experience with Simpson allowed her to learn the process of research and publishing articles.

Simpson, who serves as professor and department chair of Chemistry and director of the Honors Program, is the awardee of a National Science Foundation CAREER grant, the NSF’s most distinguished award for early-career faculty. He has published 34 peer-reviewed journal articles while teaching full time and conducting world-class research. He is devoted to helping students navigate the complexities of research and gain hands-on skills in the lab.

“Our students’ ongoing success is a great source of pride for all of us,” Simpson said. “Not only are we thrilled to see our students lead and succeed, their achievements are also proof of the strength of our program and the devotion of our instructors.” 

Simpson noted that from their freshman year forward, qualified students have the opportunity to perform new and exciting research chemistry with faculty advisers. He added that over the past five years �山ǿ�� Chemistry graduates have been 100% successful in obtaining science-related jobs, entry into health professional schools or chemistry graduate programs. He also added that the Honors Program fosters academic achievement, personal growth and independent learning.