Undergraduate Research Conference

The East Central Illinois ACS Undergraduate Research Conference is an annual event held in the fall that provides undergraduates involved in research in the chemical sciences an opportunity to present their research through oral and poster presentations. 

We are excited to announce that the 9th Annual ECI-ACS Undergraduate Research Conference will be held in person on October 19th, 2024. In addition to student presentations, this event will include networking opportunities with our sponsoring organizations, as well as a Keynote Speaker.

All undergraduates involved in research in the chemical sciences and related fields are invited to submit abstracts and present a poster or an oral presentation. Most abstracts will be accepted, and we encourage submissions in a wide variety of research topics. Registration will open July 15th, and the deadline for abstract submission will be September 15th, 2024. Registration to present at the conference is a small fee of $10, but we are willing to sponsor students that feel that the fee would be a financial burden. If this is the case, please contact Thomas Trzupek (trt2 [at] Illinois.edu). The registration fee for non-presenting attendees is $5, and judges can attend the conference for free. Everyone (student presenters, judges, faculty, and other attendees) must register in order to attend the event.

We will be looking for faculty, postdoc, and graduate student volunteers to judge student presentations and give feedback to presenters. If you would be interested in volunteering as a judge at the conference, please let us know!

The East Central Illinois local ACS section and the Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois are committed to encouraging a diverse and supportive environment in chemistry, where every student is provided with the opportunities and resources necessary to succeed in their chemical career. To attempt to bring balance in disparity between the diversity of our society and the diversity of the scientists and professionals in the chemical sciences, we encourage applications from individuals who identify as one or more of the following underrepresented groups: racial/ethnic minority (Black, Native American, or Latinx/e), LGBTQIA+, or persons with disabilities. Be sure to check our website and Facebook page for updates regarding the details of the conference!

For information about previous conferences including a list of awards and past winners click here.

For questions or more information about the upcoming conference, please email the conference coordinator: Thomas Trzupek (trt2 [at] illinois.edu).