Sophomore Assists with Analytical Chemistry Conference in Boston
As sophomore Madison Roberts drove to Boston to volunteer as a student aid at the annual Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, she experienced some nervousness about what she would be experiencing when she arrived.
The Pittcon Conference, which started in 1950 in Pittsburgh, is one of the largest international conferences and expositions for laboratory science, showcasing instrumentation and bringing together analytical chemists from across the industry and the globe.
“Until I stepped foot inside I had no idea what I was getting into. I met a ton of people from around the world and got to interact with some higher ups in the field,” Madison said.
In addition to the expo and technical program, scientists can also take short courses and participate in roundtables and workshops. Madison, along with other students from the Boston and Pittsburgh areas, were among the many volunteers who made the conference possible. Students representing several Western Pennsylvania colleges and universities – as well as some institutions close to Boston – were able to get involved through their faculty members.
Madison – and previous Seton Hill students – have been connected to Pittcon through Professor of Chemistry Diane Miller, Ph.D., who has been involved in putting on the conference since 2019.
Miller got involved with the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh (SACP) and the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh (SSP), groups affiliated with Pittcon, while she was working on her graduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh and has remained involved throughout her time as a Seton Hill faculty member. The SACP and SSP are dedicated to furthering science education in Pennsylvania and the surrounding states, a mission that resonates with Miller. Together, with Pittcon, the three organizations provide financial support for science outreach activities, grants, awards, and scholarships.
“At Pittcon, students have the opportunity to make connections on the expo floor, listen to talks from leaders in the field, network with their peers, and see what is next for scientific discovery,” she said. “Just being part of a national conference in the sciences is a great resume builder.”
This year Miller was in charge of the short courses, helping to screen and select topics of value and interest to the analytical chemistry community, and Madison worked alongside her at the event to help ensure things went smoothly.
In addition to her work on the short courses, Madison had a chance to explore the expo and see all the different ways scientific technology is being used.
“So many more steps go into our everyday lives than we realize,” Madison said. “It was cool to see the tech behind the science.”
It took some commitment for Madison to make the trip. The Biology/LECOM 4+4 major is a thrower on the Griffins track and field team, a tutor at the math center, an organic chemistry lab assistant, and involved in the Society of STEM Scholars, Pre-Dental and Pre-SOMA clubs. In addition to her on-campus involvement, Madison is also completing an internship at a vascular office where she stands in during surgeries.
While her Pittcon experience opened her eyes to new technologies, it also gave her the confidence to network and pursue opportunities outside of her comfort zone and even consider some research opportunities in the future.
“There are so many things that haven’t been done yet and so many more ways to do them than I ever would have thought,” she said.
The Pittcon Conference, which started in 1950 in Pittsburgh, is one of the largest international conferences and expositions for laboratory science, showcasing instrumentation and bringing together analytical chemists from across the industry and the globe.
“Until I stepped foot inside I had no idea what I was getting into. I met a ton of people from around the world and got to interact with some higher ups in the field,” Madison said.
In addition to the expo and technical program, scientists can also take short courses and participate in roundtables and workshops. Madison, along with other students from the Boston and Pittsburgh areas, were among the many volunteers who made the conference possible. Students representing several Western Pennsylvania colleges and universities – as well as some institutions close to Boston – were able to get involved through their faculty members.
Madison – and previous Seton Hill students – have been connected to Pittcon through Professor of Chemistry Diane Miller, Ph.D., who has been involved in putting on the conference since 2019.
Miller got involved with the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh (SACP) and the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh (SSP), groups affiliated with Pittcon, while she was working on her graduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh and has remained involved throughout her time as a Seton Hill faculty member. The SACP and SSP are dedicated to furthering science education in Pennsylvania and the surrounding states, a mission that resonates with Miller. Together, with Pittcon, the three organizations provide financial support for science outreach activities, grants, awards, and scholarships.
“At Pittcon, students have the opportunity to make connections on the expo floor, listen to talks from leaders in the field, network with their peers, and see what is next for scientific discovery,” she said. “Just being part of a national conference in the sciences is a great resume builder.”
This year Miller was in charge of the short courses, helping to screen and select topics of value and interest to the analytical chemistry community, and Madison worked alongside her at the event to help ensure things went smoothly.
In addition to her work on the short courses, Madison had a chance to explore the expo and see all the different ways scientific technology is being used.
“So many more steps go into our everyday lives than we realize,” Madison said. “It was cool to see the tech behind the science.”
It took some commitment for Madison to make the trip. The Biology/LECOM 4+4 major is a thrower on the Griffins track and field team, a tutor at the math center, an organic chemistry lab assistant, and involved in the Society of STEM Scholars, Pre-Dental and Pre-SOMA clubs. In addition to her on-campus involvement, Madison is also completing an internship at a vascular office where she stands in during surgeries.
While her Pittcon experience opened her eyes to new technologies, it also gave her the confidence to network and pursue opportunities outside of her comfort zone and even consider some research opportunities in the future.
“There are so many things that haven’t been done yet and so many more ways to do them than I ever would have thought,” she said.