Doctoral candidate Ariane Borges and Kim Nguyen ’22 have been selected to attend the next Lasting Encounters between Aspiring and Distinguished Scientists (LEADS) Conference hosted by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Borges and Nguyen, both students in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program in the Carlson School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, are among the 50 participants who are being sponsored by the ACS to attend the three-day event, the purpose of which is “to prepare high-potential early career professionals and students for successful and impactful careers in the chemical enterprise.”

The conference, which brings together highly esteemed chemists, scientists, professionals, and Nobel Laureates for networking, self-reflection, career exploration, mentoring, and technical discussions, was originally slated to take place in in Washington, D.C., in November, but has been postponed until summer 2022.

Both Borges and Nguyen wrote about their passion for the chemical sciences and their commitment to using chemistry to address larger societal challenges in their applications for funding. Borges is currently developing a novel tetrazine-cyclized peptide library as part of her doctorate work; Nguyen is developing a tool that will help expose the neurodegenerative process of Parkinson’s Disease.

“It is a great pleasure to be selected amongst great young scientists to be a part of the LEADS conference. I believe I will learn great skills to help me develop my career,” wrote Borges.

Arundhati Nag, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, said the competition for the conference was “steep,” and that, considering the size of Clark’s program, it was “an impressive achievement by our students.”

“The ACS is a leading society for chemists, and the LEADS conference is a great opportunity for young aspiring researchers to be mentored by established scientists, including Nobel laureates,” wrote professor Nag. “The conference will provide ample opportunity for discussion around both their areas of research and that of others.”  

LEADS Conference speakers will include Malika Jeffries-EL, associate dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Boston University; Carlonda R. Reilly, vice president and chief technology officer at Kennametal; and A.N. Sreeram, senior vice president and chief technology officer at Dow, among others.