TAMIU Students Shine at American Chemical Society Conference in San Diego

A group of 10 Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) undergraduate chemistry and biology majors attended the American Chemical Society (ACS) Spring 2025 National Meeting held in San Diego, California recently.

The ACS National Meeting is one of the largest scientific gatherings in the world, attracting thousands of scientists, educators, and industry leaders. Students attended technical symposia, interacted with graduate school recruiters, and explored diverse careers in science.

Dr. Kameron Jorgensen, TAMIU associate professor of Chemistry, research faculty member, and advisor for TAMIU’s ACS Student Chapter, led the group, accompanied by Dr. Alfred Addo-Mensah, professor of Chemistry.

Seven students presented original research during the Undergraduate Research Poster Session, sharing projects conducted under the mentorship of TAMIU faculty including Dr. Jorgensen, Dr. Addo-Mensah, and Dr. Mónica Mendez. Their work showcased cutting-edge topics in chemistry and biology, underscoring the vibrant research culture at TAMIU.

Students also represented TAMIU with distinction through both oral and poster presentations. Six student leaders delivered an oral presentation highlighting the achievements of the ACS Student Chapter, which culminated in the group receiving a Commendable Student Chapter Award during a formal recognition ceremony.

“Our students not only demonstrated academic excellence but also modeled leadership, professionalism, and scientific curiosity,” said Dr. Jorgensen, “Attending and presenting at a national conference is a transformative experience that builds confidence and opens doors to future career and academic opportunities.”

Participating students and highlights include:

• José Sánchez – Senior Chemistry Major, ACS Student Chapter President. Delivered both an oral presentation and a research poster under the mentorship of Dr. Addo-Mensah.
• Karla Paez – Senior Chemistry Major, ACS Demo Coordinator. Accepted to Pharmacy School. Presented an oral presentation and research poster under Dr. Jorgensen.
• Jema Rebeles – Junior Chemistry Major, ACS Historian. Delivered an oral presentation and a research poster under Dr. Jorgensen.
• Evelyn Martínez – Senior Chemistry Major, ACS Secretary. Participated in the oral presentation session.
• Edgar Alan Canales Alvarez – Senior Chemistry Major, ACS Vice President. Oral presentation contributor.
• Rojelio Lujano – Senior Chemistry Major, ACS Treasurer. Participated in the oral presentation.
• Vivian Rodríguez – Senior Biology Major. Presented a research poster under the mentorship of Dr. Jorgensen and Dr. Addo-Mensah.
• Carolina Lomelín and Mirelys Velez Rivera – Biology Majors. Presented research poster under Dr. Addo-Mensah and Dr. Mónica Mendez.
• Victoria García – Biology Major. Presented a research poster under Dr. Addo-Mensah and Dr. Mendez.

The trip was made possible through support from TAMIU’s Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program, which fully funded student travel. Student research posters were printed courtesy of TAMIU’s Center for Earth and Environmental Studies, affirming the University’s strong institutional support for undergraduate research and professional development.

More information on the ACS Conference can be found on the ACS Spring Meeting website. To learn more about LSAMP at TAMIU, visit the dedicated LSAMP program page.

Registration for Maymester, Summer and Fall 2025 semesters at TAMIU is now underway.

To learn more about TAMIU’s Registration processes, visit the dedicated Registration Hub at https://go.tamiu.edu/registration.

Students in need of financial assistance can call or email the University’s Office of Financial Aid to explore options through grants, loans, and student employment.

For more information, contact them at 956.326.2225, email financialaid@tamiu.edu , or visit http://www.tamiu.edu/financialaid/.

More on the University is available online at www.tamiu.edu and on its social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.