On Tuesday, Nov. 18, senior chemistry major Brian L. Conley, left, received the Student Award of the Eastern Analytical Symposium, held at the Garden State Convention center in Somerset, NJ. This award is given to only eight students nationwide to recognize the quality of their research in the field of analytical chemistry. Brian’s research efforts have focused on studying a new platinum compound, characterizing it electrochemically and spectroscopically. Brian has also done some preliminary investigation into the possible use of this compound as a chemical mimic for chlorophyll in the reduction of carbon dioxide.
He presented his results along with coauthor Kristen Dixon (Elon senior biology/psychology major) at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in New York in September, and his results figured prominently in an article he co-authored, to be published in an upcoming issue of the journal Inorganic Chemistry. Other authors on that paper include his research advisor, Dr. Karl Sienerth, and a collaborator, Dr. Robert Granger of Sweet Briar College.