Faculty members and undergraduate researchers from the StFX Department of Chemistry were among the presenters at the 68th International Conference on Analytical Sciences and Spectroscopy, held in Halifax, NS, from June 17-19.
StFX chemistry faculty members Dr. Geniece Hallett-Tapley and Dr. Erwan Bertin were invited speakers at the conference, highlighting innovative research taking place at StFX.
In addition, four undergraduate students from the Tapley Research Group shared their research through poster presentations. Ella MacPhee, Makayla Bugden, Scarlett Evans and Zoe Sturmy all presented their work to conference attendees, providing an opportunity to showcase undergraduate research on an international stage.
Among the student presenters, Ms. MacPhee earned special recognition, receiving second prize in the conference’s poster competition.
During her presentation, Dr. Hallett-Tapley highlighted recent research from her group focused on the use of light mediated pathways for chemical feedstock and clean fuel generation by former student Leah Baylis (MSc ’25). Dr. Bertin discussed current and past results from his group on advanced water treatments on urea oxidation, carried out by former student Noah Ruscica (BSc Honours Chemistry ’25, currently a MSc candidate at Western University).
“The participation of both faculty and students at the conference reflects the strength of research and mentorship within the StFX Chemistry Department and provided valuable opportunities to share our work with the international research community,” says Dr. Hallett-Tapley.
“Providing students with these opportunities is essential to supporting the development of their scientific communication skills in a meaningful and encouraging environment, while also connecting them with experts in their fields to open doors to future career and graduate study opportunities. Just as important, these experiences allow our students to share the research to which they have dedicated so much of their time and effort, and to demonstrate that world-class research thrives at StFX—particularly at the undergraduate level.”
