The New York Chemistry Students' Association of the New York Section held its 54th URS on Saturday, April 29, 2006, at St. John's University,Queens, NY. The Symposium was the largest ever with 131 papers by students from 30 different colleges presented in twenty-one concurrent sessions. The areas covered were analytical, biochemistry, chemical education, environmental/green, inorganic, organic, nano- and surface chemistry, physical and polymer chemistry.

Attendees were formally welcomed by Dr. Victor Cesare, the Chair of the Chemistry Department at St. John's University, followed by Dr. JaimeLee Rizzo, Co-Chair, Students’ Association Committee, Dr. Julie Upton, Provost of St. John's University, Dr. Jill Rehmann, the ACS New York Section Chair. Dr. Sharon Lall-Ramnarine, Co-Chair, Students’ Association Committee, introduced the keynote speaker Dr. James Wishart from the Department of Chemistry at the Brookhaven National Laboratory. The keynote presentation entitled “Ionic Liquids, Salt for the Earth” was a wonderful introduction to the field of ionic liquids. The speaker discussed applications and future application of ionic liquids in a variety of areas. As a token of appreciation from the ACS-NY Section, the speaker was presented with an inscribed plaque commemorating the event. The Co-Chairs also presented Dr. Jill Rehmann and Dr. Raifah Kabbani with an inscribed plaque in appreciation for their years of service.

The group picture was taken and then students, faculty and guests attended the student presentations. Representatives from McGraw Hill, Wiley, Pearson/Prentice Hall, On Assignment Lab Support, and Watson Labs also attended the symposium. The symposium concluded with a luncheon and presentation of Certificates of Participation and mementos to student presenters by Co-Chairs Sharon Lall-Ramnarine, Alison Hyslop and Jaimelee Rizzo, followed by an “ice cream networking social”.

DETAILED REPORT FROM URS CO-CHAIRS