Undergraduate Research Conference Overview
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 4th Annual ECI ACS Undergraduate Research Conference was held on November 16th, 2019 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 86 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 5th 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 from Saturday November 14th, 2020 to Friday, November 20th, 2020. This year, we are excited to include virtual networking opportunities with our sponsoring organizations, a panel on life in graduate school, and a Keynote Speaker, all of which will occur on Saturday, November 14th, 2020 from 9:30am-12pm live on Zoom. Our 2020 Keynote Address will be provided by Ms. Patricia Simpson, Director of Academic Advising and Career Services at UIUC. Student presentations will be posted immediately following the live event and will remain available for viewing and discussion via an online platform until Friday, November 20th, 2020. 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 6th and the deadline for abstract submission is November 6th, 2020. Registration for the conference is free but everyone (student presenters, judges, faculty, and attendees) must register to receive links to access the event.
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.
Important Dates
Registration Opens
October 6th, 2020
Abstract Submission Deadline
November 6th, 2020
Judge Registration Deadline
November 6th, 2020
Conference Date
November 14th - 20th, 2020
Conference Location
Virtual
Tentative Schedule
*subject to change
November 14th:
9:30: Networking opportunity
10:00: Opening remarks and keynote speaker, Ms. Patricia Simpson
11:00: UIUC WCC-Hosted Panel (Life in Grad School)
November 14th-20th:
On website: Poster and oral presentations are available to view; questions and judging will occur virtually
By November 23rd:
Award winners contacted via email and names posted on website. Awards will be mailed out.