Seven Westminster College biochemistry students traveled to Boston in March to attend Pittcon 2025, a leading annual conference and expo on laboratory science.

In addition to participating in a national conference and honing their presentation skills, the students were able to network with other students and scientists from across the country.

Six students presenting their undergraduate research were:

Gabriela Garza, a senior biochemistry major from Spring Hill, Tenn., presented “Identifying the chemical composition of kombucha,” co-authored with Dr. Jessica Sarver, associate professor and chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry.

Gabriella Hunter, senior biochemistry major from New Baltimore, Mich., presented “Discovering the Role of 3’hExo in mRNA Histone Degradation Using Molecular Dynamic Simulations,” co-authored with Dr. Patrick Lackey, associate professor.

Zachary Burghgraef, an honors student and senior chemistry major from Caledonia, Mich., presented “Detection and Analysis of Beet Syrup as an Adulterant in Multifloral Honey Using Infrared Spectroscopy and Multivariate Analysis,” co-authored with Dr. Erin Wilson, associate professor.

Ellian Ascencio, a senior chemistry major from Venetia, Pa., presented “Towards sustainable recovery of lithium from brine,” co-authored with Dr. Peter Smith, professor of chemistry.

Charles Moller, a senior chemistry major from Viola, Del., presented “DIY Auto Titrator,” co-authored with Wilson.

Mason Baldwin, a senior biochemistry major from Seven Fields, Pa., presented “3’exoribonuclease 1’s Binding Affinity for Histone mRNA Stem-Loop Degradation Intermediate Sequences,” co-authored with Lackey.

Also in attendance was Kevin Walker, a junior biochemistry and molecular biology double major from Radcliff, Ky.

Sarver and Dr. Helen Boylan, professor of chemistry, both served on the Pittcon organizing committee. This year, Sarver served as the networking roundtable and workshop chair and the bioanalytical and life science program track leader.  Boylan served as the chair-elect for science outreach.

An alumni gathering held in Boston during the conference provided Westminster students and faculty the opportunity to network with host Ryan Kirk ’09 and attendees Haley Barger ’15, Kelly Higby ’16, Booke Mancuso ’17 and Ian “Mitch” Taylor ’08.

Pittcon is a laboratory science-based conference where people can exchange the latest advances in analytical research and scientific achievements. The goal is to advance scientific attempts through collaboration.  Proceeds from each conference directly fund education in science and outreach.

This year’s event featured approximately 1,100 technical sessions, more than 300 exhibitors and thousands of attendees. Originating in 1950, Pittcon is the Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy that has grown to additional locations.

Next year’s Pittcon will be held in San Antonio, Texas.

Click here to learn more about Westminster’s biochemistry major.

Pictured above from left to right are Dr. Jessica Sarver, Kevin Walker, Gabriela Garza, Gabriella Hunter, Mason Baldwin, Ellian Ascencio, Charles Moller, Zachary Burghgraef and Dr. Helen Boylan.

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