Congratulations for a job well done to the graduating class of 2006! This year's graduates are:

• Keyanna Conners - who will pursue a Ph.D. in Biochemistry at Drexel University
• Randy Miles - who will be attending the Mayo Clinic for Medical School
• Khalelah Porome
• Marcie Rice - who will pursue a Ph.D. at Georgia Tech in Biochemistry
• Kia Walcott - who will be attending Duke University to study Toxicology
• Nia White - who will study at Johns Hopkins for Pharmacology

• The Department welcomed two new faculty members for the 2005-2006 Academic year.

  Dr. Kesete Ghebreyessus comes to us from the University of Iowa and his research interests include the catalytic conversion of fatty acid esters to novel oleochemical products.

Dr. Shanthi Paranawithana, from Johns Hopkins, is a biochemist with interests in cancer research.

• The Departmental Dinner was another success. Invited guest speakers included Micheal Duncan and Gina Newsome both HU Chemistry graduates and now husband and wife. They are both studying at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and provided insight into graduate and medical school life.

• The Department hosted a workshop on Environmental Chemistry on May 21-26, 2006.

The workshop under the direction of Dr. Isai Urasa was offered through the Center for Workshops in the Chemical Sciences (CWCS) a National Science Foundation sponsored initiative. Link to the group picture.

• Dr. Charles Bump will receive the 2006 Edward L. Hamm Distinguished Teaching Award.


• Dr. Edmund Ndip was awarded a grant from National Science Foundation (NSF) Course Curriculum and Laboratory Improvement program. The grant is entitled " Incorporating Computational Chemistry /Science in the Chemistry Curriculum". He will also serve as a co-PI on a grant from the NSF Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education program.


• Congratulations to Randy Miles, a 2006 graduate, for receiving an Undergraduate Presentation Award at the National Conference of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). Randy presented his work with Dr. Teresa Ramirez-Montagut of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York on GITR Stimulation and Anti-Tumor Responses.



• The following HU chemistry alumni and current chemistry majors were among several award recipients at the Spring National Conference of the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE).

Dow Chemical Graduate Fellowship
Tiffani N. Bailey (North Carolina State University)

Eastman Kodak Dr. Theophilus Sorrel Graduate Fellowship
Aliya Courtney Hines (The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine)

Lloyd N. Ferguson Young Scientist Award
Dr. Miquel D. Antoine (Analytical Chemist, The Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory)
 
Rohm & Haas Awards
Isa Watson (Hampton University)


• Renovations continue at Turner Hall. The plans include improvements in electrical and HVAC systems along with new fume hoods and improved ventilation. Last summer the renovation included new stockrooms.