By: Sheila Evans
Two graduate students in the Department of Chemistry have received awards from the Women Chemists Committee of the American Chemical Society. McKenna Goetz won the Merck Research Award and Tessa Lynch-Colameta won the Eli Lilly Travel Award.
Goetz broadly investigates the synthesis and characterization of transition metal oxo compounds. Goetz was the first to identify the crystal structure of terminal cobalt(III) oxo and is currently studying its unique reactivity characteristics.
Goetz will be presenting her research virtually in August for an online symposium hosted by the Women Chemists Committee. She looks forward to showcasing her work to teach and learn from others. Goetz is interested in pedagogy; “the Chicago Center for Teaching is a passion I discovered while being here,” says Goetz. “I enjoy teaching and thinking about teaching.” Beyond her dedication to research, Goetz has been a Teaching Assistant each year throughout her graduate career and hopes to continue to pursue teaching.
Lynch-Colameta’s work focuses on methodology development for applications to complex natural product synthesis. The research specifically recognized for the award is the synthesis of aza-quaternary centers via Pictet–Spengler reactions. A manuscript to detail the results is in progress.
Lynch-Colameta will be presenting her research at the National ACS meeting in the spring or fall of next year. She is looking forward to the opportunity to network, “In my application, I wrote that one of my biggest reasons for applying was to feel a sense of community with women in chemistry.” Lynch-Colameta will meet with prominent female scientists from Eli Lilly and the Women Chemists Committee. “I am excited to meet other women in organic chemistry, form a cohort, and understand what they have done to excel,” says Lynch-Colameta. She hopes to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry in the future.
Lynch-Colameta is involved on campus through science outreach to Chicago Public Schools, being a Student Ombudsperson, being the Administrative Coordinator of the for Women in Chemistry, and serving on multiple advisory boards.