Chemistry Major Received Grant to Present Research at National Meeting

Spencer Rohrbacher, a Westminster College senior chemistry major, received a travel/presentation grant from Westminster's Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning to present his research at the American Chemical Society national meeting March 22-25 in Salt Lake City.

Rohrbacher's research, "Pseudo Rate Law Determination of FD&C Green No. 3," examined how concentration conditions affect the speed at which household bleach removes the color of Green 3, a Food and Drug Administration certified dye approved for use in food, drugs, and cosmetics.

Rohrbacher is a son of Harry and Dena Rohrbacher of Hermitage and a graduate of Hickory High School.

The research was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Martha Joseph, Westminster associate professor of chemistry.

"As basic as removing a food color stain may seem, the mechanism for the chemical reaction between the active component in household bleach and the food dye is not well understood," Joseph said. "Information from studying these reaction rates is used to devise the reaction mechanisms."

Contact Joseph at (724) 946-7295 or e-mail josephm@westminster.edu for additional information.

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