April 14, 2017

SIU to host chemistry symposium on April 22

by Tim Crosby

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Earth Day will bring a day of chemistry and support for science to Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the community.

The Cal Meyers Memorial Organic Chemistry Symposium, along with a local “March for Science,” are set for April 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The events are free and open to the public.

The symposium, which takes place every two years, is funded by a $3 million endowment from Cal Meyers, a former faculty member and distinguished professor at SIU. It is aimed at bringing together organic chemists from the Midwest to provide a low-cost opportunity for graduate and post-doctoral students to present research alongside established academic researchers.

The symposium, which takes place in the John C. Guyon Auditorium at Morris Library, will feature David W.C. MacMillan, professor of chemistry at Princeton University. His presentation, titled “New Photocatalytic Reactions,” is scheduled to begin at 3:50 p.m. that day.

Kyle Plunkett, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at SIU, said MacMillan is a well-known top researcher in the field of organic chemistry.

“He is very well known in our field for coming up with new organic chemistry reactions that have impacted things such as drug discovery,” Plunkett said. “He is a very prominent researcher.”

The symposium also will include presentations from four other renowned professors and four graduate students from several Midwest universities, Plunkett said.

Midway through the symposium, organizers also will hold a “March for Science,” during which participants will march in support of funding for scientific research and science-based public policy as part of a national event. The march will begin at 1:15 p.m. at the fountain in front of Morris Library and continue into downtown Carbondale, with participants returning to Morris Library by 2:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Plunkett at kplunkett@siu.edu.