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. 
 

The East Central Illinois section of the American Chemical Society extends an invitation for all students and professionals in the chemical sciences to attend the 6th Annual ECI ACS Undergraduate Research Conference, featuring undergraduate research posters and oral presentations. Due to concerns regarding COVID-19 and to provide accessible opportunities for students to share their work, the conference will take place virtually on Saturday November 13th, 2021 via the GatherTown platform. This year, we are excited to include virtual networking opportunities with our sponsoring organizations and a Keynote Speaker. Our 2021 Keynote Address will be provided by Ms. Patricia Simpson, Director of Academic Advising and Career Services at UIUC.  After the keynote address, students will be able to give poster and oral presentations in different sessions throughout the day. Awards for best presentations will be announced and mailed out following the conference. 

All undergraduates involved in research in the chemical sciences and related fields are invited to submit abstracts and present a virtual poster or virtual oral presentation.  All abstracts will be accepted, and we encourage submissions in a wide variety of research topics. Registration will open October 8th, and the deadline for abstract submission is November 5th, 2021. Registration to present at the conference is a small fee of $5, but we are willing to sponsor students that feel as if the fee would be a financial burden. If this is the case, please send an email to Selena Hernandez. Everyone (student presenters, judges, faculty, and attendees) must register to receive links to access the event. 

We are 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 Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois is 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 (African-American, Native American, & Hispanic), LGBTQIA+, or persons who are differently abled. Awards for best presentations will be sponsored by the East Central Illinois American Chemical Society (ECI-ACS), the Women Chemists Committee (WCC), the Younger Chemists Committee (YCC), the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) and Friends chapter, and the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) Chapter.
 

This event is co-sponsored by the ECI section of the American Chemical Society, the UIUC Undergraduate Student Chapter, the ECI Women Chemists Committee at UIUC, the ECI Younger Chemists Committee, and the SACNAS and Friends Chapter at UIUC

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 our conference coordinators.