Heidelberg University’s Chem Club recently hosted a lively recap of their spring trip to the 2025 American Chemical Society (ACS) National Conference in San Diego. With 24 students attending and 13 presenting, the event marked a milestone in both academic achievement and personal growth.
Chem Club president Mikayla Sage, a senior biochemistry major, opened the presentation by welcoming guests with snacks, wildflower seed packets for Earth Day, and an introduction to ACS. “At Heidelberg, our Chem Club is ACS-affiliated,” she explained, “which opens up opportunities for networking, research presentations, and career exploration both on and off campus.”
The San Diego conference brought together thousands of chemistry students, faculty, and professionals from around the world. Heidelberg students joined peers in presenting original research on topics ranging from electrospun nitric oxide patches to the honey project, which explored reducing sugars and HMF (hydroxymethylfurfural) levels. They also attended a wide range of sessions on emerging research, industry trends, and graduate school preparation.
Sarah Grosse, the club’s current vice president and incoming president, proudly noted that Heidelberg received the ACS Outstanding Chapter Award for the 10th time in 11 years, recognizing the group’s extensive campus involvement and outreach. “We take a lot of pride in the growth we’ve had as individuals and as a group,” she said. Several students also represented Heidelberg at the CERM Conference in Pittsburgh last fall, showcasing their outreach and research to a regional audience.
The conference itself featured a wide spectrum of student-led research. Attendees explored topics in water quality, enzyme behavior, medicinal chemistry, polymer science, metal analysis, and even dentistry. Many students presented findings from summer internships or independent studies, while others explored sessions aligned with their career interests. In addition to poster sessions and seminars, Heidelberg students also participated in the ChemDemo Exchange, a hands-on showcase that allowed them to engage the crowd with a live chemistry experiment.
Emma Rettig, a club officer and a double major in chemistry and education, worked on developing a demo with Dr. Brandon Van Ness. Emma had to submit her project for ACS evaluation and participated in several safety training webinars for Heidelberg to participate.
One of the most impactful parts of the experience was the opportunity to network. Because presentations were grouped by topic, students were surrounded by people genuinely interested in their work, leading to rich discussions and meaningful connections. “The importance of getting to network with other undergrad students who are going through some of the same things that you are going through is important for our futures,” said Abbie Stine, one of the student attendees. Conferences like these are about finding community among peers across the country.
The trip also offered time to relax and connect as a group. Students explored the city, went whale watching, spotted dolphins and sea lions, and deepened bonds with each other outside of class and labs.
Whether presenting, networking, or simply observing, Heidelberg’s Chem Club students returned with more than just research insights; they came back with confidence, clarity, and connections that will shape their paths in science.
The Chem Club, in conjunction with the chemistry faculty, takes biannual trips for students to explore science opportunities and participate in professional development. These trips are sponsored through the generosity of Heidelberg donors Joseph and Brenda Stearns.
– by Kaidan Mathias '25