Undergraduate Research Conference

The East Central Illinois ACS Undergraduate Research Conference is 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 3rd Annual ECI ACS Undergraduate Research Conference was held on November 17th, 2018 in the Illini Union at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL. This conference featured two poster sessions and two oral presentations sessions. Over 60 undergraduates representing 13 institutions presented their work at this event!

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 4th Annual ECI ACS Undergraduate Research Conference, featuring undergraduate research posters and oral presentations. The conference will take place on Saturday, November 16th, 2019 in the Illini Union at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This year, we are excited to include a Networking Breakfast and a Keynote Speaker at the event. Our 2019 Keynote Address will be provided by Ms. Patricia Simpson, Director of Academic Advising and Career Services at UIUC.

All undergraduates involved in research in the chemical sciences and related fields are invited to submit abstracts. Most abstracts will be accepted, and a wide variety of research topics will be considered. Registration will open September 2nd, and the cost is $10 for presenters and $5 for attendees. The deadline for abstract submission is Friday October 11th, 2019. Judges and volunteers attend the conference for free.

We are looking for faculty and postdoc 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 poster presentations will be sponsored by the East Central Illinois American Chemical Society (ECI-ACS), the Women Chemists Committee (WCC), 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. 

Registration Opens

September 2, 2019

Abstract submission deadline

October 11, 2019

Acceptance emails are sent out

October 21, 2019

Judge and volunteer registration deadline

November 12, 2019 

Attendee registration deadline

November 12, 2019

Conference date

November 16, 2019

Conference location

Illini Union

1401 W Green St, Urbana, IL 61801

Tentative Schedule

*subject to change

8:45 am Registration Opens

9:00 am Networking Breakfast

9:50 am Opening Remarks

10:00 am Oral Presentation Session 1

11:00 am Poster Session 1

12:00 pm Lunch Break, WCC Panel

1:30 pm Oral Presentation Session 2

2:30 pm Poster Session 2

3:30 pm Keynote Speaker

4:30 pm Awards Ceremony