International Student Chapters

From July 28 th – 30 th 2016 the European Student Chapter from the Technical University of Munich (Germany) and Modena University (Italy) met each other for a pioneering weekend in Modena. We received a warm welcome from our Italian friends the evening we arrived in the charming university town. The next day, we met each other at the department of life sciences to for a symposium. Katrin Matheis and Mario Flaig from TU Munich gave us presentations on research results from their theses acquired in the field of flavor chemistry. Extensive discussions after the presentations gave students the possibility to get deeper insight into the molecular sensory science attracting their curiosity. In a short coffee break the students were able to get in touch with each other. Besides our hosts from Italy three girls from the USA, who were sent to Europe as part of the IREU program, attended the meeting and got involved to exchange opportunities of study-related travel options during studies. Virginia Brighenti and Roberta Tardugno gave us presentations on their results of method developments for the analysis of non-psychoactive cannabinoids and investigation of essential oils in Cedrelopsis. We then made a tour through the department where we got to see the laboratories and analytical instruments where we could exchange scientific knowledge in detail. During lunch with delicious typical Mediterranean food students discussed about how studies work at their universities and how global exchange is provided by the ACS. As a highlight of the meeting we visited the eldest traditional balsamic vinegar manufacture where we could taste different stages of barrel ripened vinegar, one of them with over 100 years of storage. In the evening, we met altogether at Virginia’s house to have a typical Italian dinner with lots of different kinds of foods and sparkling red wine from the area. We discussed a lot about our studies, ACS programs and of course about our cultures. This event was essential for fostering of communication and relation in the newly growing network of international student chapters of the ACS in Europe. This highlight in our chapter's activities shall encourage students in Munich and Modena to become members of our international student chapters that are interested in global networking, exchange of research and collaboration in social events. Furthermore, plans of future cooperation opportunities between both chapters emerged and were discussed. We want to say thank you to the American Chemical Society who gave us the opportunity to develop our young European student chapters and initiate further foundations of chapters in European countries! ACS TU Munich Student Chapter ... View more

Our ACS students Mario Christie and Marcel Denny doing a Chemistry Demonstration on our local TV station, Television Jamaica on the Programme, Smile Jamaica. Highlights were given about the chemistry of our national fruit, the ackee (Blighia sapida). April 19, 2016 ... View more

Congrats to Mario Christie, Rajeve Brooks, Nadine Whyte and Shorna Smith from the ACS International Student Chapter at the University of the West Indies, Jamaica, on winning the ACS Communicating Chemistry C4, Caribbean Cuisine Competition held at the 251st ACS Conference, San Diego, California. ... View more

Our ACS student member, Marcel Denny, volunteering at UWI Research Days, February 2016. ... View more

Mario Christie (President) Mario Christie graduated from  Charlemont High School at the top of his class. In his later years he became obsessed with food preparation and the concept of 'safe food'. That led him to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Food Chemistry at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus. While at the University he sat on the Irvine Hall’s Culinary Committee as their Sanitation Representative and also functioned as the Culinary Representative for Irvine Hall’s Block B. He also served as the Second Vice President of the UWI Chemical Society and an Emergency Medical Responder at the University of the West Indies Student Emergency Response Team (UWISERT). In his final year of study he was awarded the Nestle JMP Scholarship as well as the Chemistry Department’s coveted Cedric Hassall Prize which is given to the top performing Chemistry student. His love for and dedication to the field of Chemistry lead him to graduate with one of three awarded First Class Honours Degree from the Department of Chemistry in 2011. He was invited to become a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in 2011. He has since been a member of the Agricultural and Food Chemistry Division of the ACS. He is now enrolled in the Master of Philosophy program with focus on the effects of land use and climate change of ground water resources. Two of his favourite and most inspiring quotes are: “The pessimist sees the glass half empty, the optimist sees the glass half full…but the chemist sees the glass completely full, half in the liquid state and half in the gaseous state.” - Unknown With knowledge, the possibilities may not be endless but they are all practical. - Mario Christie Shaquilla McNab (Vice President) Shaquilla McNab is a 20 year old Jamaican who is pursuing a Bachelor of Basic Medical Science majoring in Pharmacology at the University of the West Indies. She believes in service above self, working towards better health for the people of Jamaica. She enjoys volunteering, socializing and exploring new cultures. Shorna Smith Shorna Smith is an undergraduate student pursuing a B Sc in Chemistry with a minor in Education. Her areas of interest include: Food preparation and creating new food products She is interested in owning her own 5 star restaurant, being an executive chef as well as being a Quality assurance manager. In terms of education, she wishes to provide nutritional advice to the younger generation and promote healthier lifestyles Nadine Whyte Nadine Whyte is an undergraduate student pursuing a B Sc in Microbiology with a minor in Food Processing. In the future she would like to pursue a Masters in Food Microbiology. She enjoys cooking and is very interactive in her community. Nadine wishes to start her own business producing local organic Jamaican spices. She also has interest in public health. Other areas of interest include interior decorating. Rajeve Brooks Rajeve Brooks is an undergraduate student pursuing a B Sc in Biotechnology with minor in Food Processing. He is currently on the Dean's list. Areas of specific interest: Application and use of bacteria/fungus to produce energy from waste material. Utilization of microbes to develop and preserve foods. Using biotechnology to enhance food security in agriculture in Jamaica Rajeve enjoys cooking and is exploring making Kimchi at home. He is always interested in exploring new cultures and CUISINES. He actively volunteers within the community. Marcel Denny Undergraduate student pursuing a B Sc in Food Chemistry with special interest in Organic Chemistry He enjoys helping others achieve their academic potential. Some of his accomplishments include the Wilfred Grant Award in Organic Chemistry and Gold Status in the Chemistry Honours Society at the University of the West Indies Ruth Williams Graduate student pursuing a M Phil in Chemistry. Holds a B Sc in Food and General Chemistry. Avid badminton player. ... View more