Roger Williams University STEM Students Take The Spotlight At National Chemistry Conference

Press release from Roger Williams University:

By Jordan J. Phelan '19

April 11, 2025

SAN DIEGO – The American Chemical Society’s Meeting & Expo is a proving ground for some of the most promising scientific minds in the country. This year, a group of Roger Williams University students stepped onto that stage, presenting their research to a national audience while gaining experience in professional research settings.

Eleven STEM students, working under Professors Clifford Murphy and Stephen O’Shea, delivered 16 presentations throughout the week, highlighting the breadth and depth of the university’s chemistry and interdisciplinary science programs. Among them, senior Jules Gerstner, a Chemistry and Biology double major with a minor in Visual Arts from Carlisle, Penn., became the first RWU student to give a platform presentation at the conference, a landmark achievement for the university’s undergraduate researchers.

Several students also earned recognition for the quality of their research. Seniors Grace DiBlasio, a Chemistry major and Music minor from North Andover, Mass., and Gabriella Fabrizi, a Biology and Chemistry double major with a Political Science minor from Fairfield, Conn., were invited to present their research posters at the meeting. They were joined by seniors Jamie Wells, a Biochemistry major and Mathematics minor from Castle Rock, Colo., and Meisi Gaudreau, an Environmental Science and Political Science double major from Danville, N.H., whose research was selected for Sci-Mix, a prestigious showcase displaying the strongest research and presentation skills in each division.

“I was thrilled that our students were selected to present at Sci-Mix, where only 20 posters per division are chosen to showcase the most exemplary research,” O’Shea said. “It’s inspiring to see them succeed not only in research but also in making meaningful contributions to the community.”

In addition to these honors, RWU students presented 11 more research posters across a wide spectrum of scientific disciplines, underscoring the university’s commitment to hands-on learning and collaboration.

Beyond research, the student-run Science Alliance club was prominently featured at the meeting. Junior Abby Heroux, a Chemistry and Secondary Education double major from Warren, R.I., accepted an award on behalf of the group, recognizing its work in science education and outreach. Senior Preston Sharrock, a Chemistry and Mathematics double major with a minor in Psychology from Branchville, N.J., presented a poster on the alliance’s initiatives, demonstrating the role of student-led efforts in expanding access to STEM education.

This press release was produced by the Roger Williams University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.