Reports: SE53671-SE: ACS Scholars Program
printer friendlyAmerican Chemical Society Scholars Program
Robert J. Hughes, American Chemical Society
Since its inception in 1995, the American Chemical Society (ACS) Scholars program has awarded over 2670 college scholarships to minority students pursuing degrees and careers in the chemical sciences. The PRF has made grants of $50,000 to the ACS Scholars Program since 2007. During the 2013-2014 academic year the PRF funds were assigned to 10 students majoring in and planning careers in the chemical sciences and conducting undergraduate research related to petroleum and fossil fuels. The record shows that being selected by the American Chemical Society for this scholarship award not only reduces the students’ financial burden but it also boosts their confidence resulting in higher academic achievement. The PRF grant helps these students progress toward their bachelor’s degrees and beyond.
The following 10 Scholars benefitted from the PRF grant during academic year 2013-2014 and are either currently in good standing and renewed in the ACS Scholars Program, or graduated during or at the end of the 2013-2014 academic year.
Nicolas Acuna, Arizona State University, Chemical Engineering: Conducted research on solar reactors and utilizing photocatalyst (titanium dioxide) to degrade organic dyes. Nicolas graduated in June 2014.
Kevin Chavez, SUNY at Stony Brook, Biochemistry: Conducting research on transient species to facilitate evaluation of the absorbance and combustion of hydrocarbon fuels. Kevin graduated in May 2014
Pedro Cruz, University of California Irvine, Chemistry: Conducting research on the synthesis of monozite (La(PO)4) and La0.96Sr0.04PO4 (fuel cells). Pedro graduated May 2014
Eric Dominguez, Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, Chemistry: Conducted research in polymer science; grafted polymer based and alkali based fuel cell membranes. Eric will graduate in May 2016.
Carmen Gil, University of Florida, Chemical Engineering: Conducting research on petroleum and fuels with Marathon Oil Corporation; also at the University of New South Wales in the area of thermal energy harvesting using thermoelectrics, and energy storage using batteries and hydrogen. Will graduate May 2016.
Robert Golsby, University of Cincinnati, Chemical Engineering: Conducting research on alternative energy in the turbo-machinery lab at the University of Cincinnati. Robert graduated in May 2014
Abdiasis Hussein, University of California Los Angeles, Biochemistry: independent research in the last three quarter as well as last summer in the laboratory of my mentor, Dr. James Gober. The goal of that project was production of advanced biofuels by using a microorganism called Burkholderia xenovorans. Abdiasis will graduate April 2015.
Ciara Kelley, Cameron University, Chemistry: Independent research for Dr. Nalley at Cameron University in the area of material sciences - dye-sensitized solar cells. I have also had an internship through Cameron University performing the same research. Ciara will graduate May 2015.
Victor Murcia, Rochester Institute of Technology, Chemistry: Conducting research in the area of Organic Photovoltaic Devices. Victor graduated May 2014
Ana Solorio, Washington University, Chemical Engineering: Conducted research on aquatic contamination biomarkers - State University of Santa Catarina. Ana graduated in December 2014.
