Conference Day 2: Poster Session

The poster session was a wonderful experience as I was both able to share my findings with others and explain the processes we had developed in research but also receive feedback and opinions from researchers within the same domain of chemistry. Unlike university poster sessions the audience I had already have the background science information and I was able to more deeply delve into our methods of experimentation and calculation. This is what brought forth many of the intellectual conversations I had where others suggested utilizing addition instrumentation of density precision measurements, as well as possible sample and solution preparation techniques.

I was able to connect to one of the researchers from one of the few laboratories that evaluate chemoreception through volumetric parameters, and it was interesting to hear his perspective on the techniques we utilized in comparison to theirs. In addition to the conversations I had specific about my research, other physical chemists whose research focused on other interests would stop by giving me tips on publishing a more papers from my work as well as what laboratories later on at the graduate level would apply to what I had experience in. The graduate students themselves would express to me their frustrations and joys when your time becomes fully dedicated to your research. Many seeing that I was still an undergraduate that was beginning to apply to graduate schools would offer me advice and some even invited me to contact them if I ever need help with my application or during my campus visits.

Overall the sense of community and belongingness really made me confident in my decision to pursue my research and my education to a higher degree, it showed me what the world beyond held for chemists in this developing age and it was very assuring and welcoming.