Posted on Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Monica Hall, a 2010 ¾¨Ó㴫ý graduate, received one of 30 College Chemistry Awards from the Society of Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh (SACP) at its May 24 meeting.
Hall is a daughter of John and Patricia Hall of Beaver and a graduate of Beaver Area High School.
In addition to a monetary award and framed certificate for the honorees, each student's college library fund received a check to purchase a book in honor of the student. The chemistry department at each institution received an engraved name plate to add to the plaque recognizing past award winners.
Hall presented her research, "Determination of 4-ethylguaiacol and 4-ethylphenol in Northwest Pennsylvania Concord Wines," at Pittcon in Orlando in March.
"Monica was selected for this award for her outstanding ability in analytical chemistry," said Dr. Sarah Kennedy, ¾¨Ó㴫ý assistant professor of chemistry and Hall's research adviser. "Her research project focused on chemical analysis of local wines to detect the presence of contamination by Brettanomyces yeast. She developed a new gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method for detecting organic by-products in these wine samples. Monica's dedication and creativity with this project, as well as her excellence in analytical chemistry, make her most deserving of this award."
Kennedy and Dr. Helen Boylan, ¾¨Ó㴫ý associate professor of chemistry, attended the awards dinner.
Contact Kennedy at (724) 946-6289 or e-mail kennedsa@westminster.edu for additional information.
