On August 26, 2024, the Department of Chemistry held its annual Graduate Poster Symposium.  Hosted at VCU’s new STEM Building outside of the General Chemistry labs, our graduate students presented the research they have been working on while earning their degree. Students, faculty, and guests were able to travel throughout the entire fourth floor and listen to presentations given by Ph.D. and M.S. students. This event provides graduate students with an invaluable opportunity to present their research and engage with a wider audience. Furthermore, it allows students to distill their complex work into clear, accessible visuals and summaries. Faculty members use this occasion to discuss research projects with students, offering valuable feedback, and foster one-on-one interactions. The interactive nature of the symposium enhances communication skills, builds confidence, and facilitates connections with peers and experts with similar interests.

“The Department of Chemistry’s annual poster symposium is a vital platform for graduate students to showcase their research and connect with the broader academic community. We have it annually at the start of the Fall semester to help integrate new students into the department and enrich our research culture.”
Dr. Maryanne Collinson, Department of Chemistry Chair

Having just admitted one of the department’s largest incoming graduate student classes, the poster symposium offers those incoming students a comprehensive view of ongoing research across various labs in the department. New graduate students will choose a research group to join by the end of their first semester. For students who have already begun their research in one of our faculty’s labs, the event serves as a chance to practice professionalism when presenting their work.

“I think the poster symposium is a really great opportunity to talk to other graduate students about both ours and their research. It allows us to ask questions and answer questions and that really helps us understand the basics of all of the research being done in the department. The opportunity for professors to talk to us about our research is fantastic, especially ones that we may work with, and they ask questions we may have not thought to ask yet. I also believe it is a great way to introduce the new graduate students into our labs and the research we do. It gives us an opportunity to showcase our work and talk about future work that they may be involved in.”
Sara Walters, Fourth Year Graduate Student

“The Chemistry Graduate Poster Symposium provided an invaluable platform to showcase my research on the tunable optical properties of GeSiSn quantum dots, sparking insightful discussions with peers and research professors. It not only enhances my ability to communicate technical concepts more effectively but serves as an invaluable space to receive valuable and insightful feedback crucial in my scientific work.”
Chineme Jeanfrances Onukwughara, Third Year Graduate Student