Westminster College Student and Professor Make Presentations at National Conference

Valerie Kokai, a junior chemistry major from Wexford, and Dr. Helen Boylan, assistant professor of chemistry, recently presented their research at the American Chemical Society national meeting in Philadelphia.

 Kokai presented a poster, "Exploring Athermal Effects of Microwaves on Enzymes" at the undergraduate poster session.  She had worked with Dr. Boylan during the spring and summer doing research on this topic.

 "We did an investigation comparing a conventionally heated enzyme using a water bath to a microwave heated enzyme," Boylan said. "This research was inspired by the controversial effects of wireless communication devices which emit frequencies in the microwave region.  Results from our study on the enzyme system catalase suggested that there was no difference between heating methods, however, other studies have demonstrated a differential heating effect."

 Boylan also gave a presentation, "Realizing the Potential of Microwaves in the Academic Lab," for the Division of Chemical Education. 
 
 "I presented four possible lab experiments that can be done in organic chemistry, typically sophomore level laboratory," Boylan said.  "The use of microwaves for synthetic chemistry is growing in industry and students should be exposed to this technique."

 Boylan, who has been with Westminster College since 2001, earned her undergraduate degree from Westminster College, and her Ph.D. from Duquesne University.

 For more information, contact (724) 946-6293 or e-mail boylanhm@westminster.edu.

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