Seven students from Saint Vincent College recently participated in the Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, known as Pittcon, held at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, from March 7 to 11, 2026.

Pittcon is a premier international conference and exposition focusing on laboratory science, providing a platform for presenting the latest advancements in analytical research.

Accompanying the students was Dr. I. Mitch Taylor, chair of the Chemistry Department and associate professor in the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Computing at Saint Vincent College.

Dr. Taylor emphasized the significance of attending Pittcon, stating that it offers students a unique opportunity to engage with the global scientific community and contribute to the advancement of science through objective findings and peer-reviewed conclusions.

During the conference, Dr. Taylor and six students presented original research, showcasing their work to an international audience.

Additionally, the students served as aides, facilitating interactions with professional scientists worldwide.

Dr. Taylor noted the positive feedback from students, highlighting their surprise at understanding high-level science and the warm reception their research received, underscoring the effectiveness of the Saint Vincent College curriculum in preparing students for post-graduate endeavors.

A highlight of the conference was the keynote address by Dr. Francis Arnold, a Nobel Laureate in Chemistry awarded in 2018 for her pioneering work in directed evolution of enzymes.

Dr. Arnold, originally from western Pennsylvania, engaged with the students and posed for a photo with the group.

The participating students included Kate Bollinger, a junior biochemistry major from Mentor, Ohio; Sloane Condo, a senior biochemistry major from Altoona; Elizabeth Dacanay, a senior biochemistry major from Beaver; Brooke Garman, a senior double major in biochemistry and mathematics from Bloomsburg; Skyler Olp, a senior chemistry education major from Marion Center; Rebecca Slate, a senior biochemistry major from Boswell; and Olivia Yancy, a junior biology major from Kittanning.

Their research presentations covered a range of topics, including enhanced radiosensitization of medulloblastoma cells, synthesis and optimization of quinoline intermediates, and evaluation of photocatalytic activity in various heterostructures.

Next year's Pittcon Conference and Exposition is scheduled for April 24-28, 2027, in Pittsburgh, offering another opportunity for students and professionals to engage with the latest developments in analytical chemistry and applied spectroscopy.