Howard Payne University faculty member Dr. Dennis Gibson, adjunct professor of physical science, and HPU students Mackinzey Boyer and Regina Dunlap recently attended the 12th Advanced Instrumentation Workshop sponsored by Baylor Graduate School.
The workshop is funded through a multiyear, multimillion-dollar National Science Foundation grant that supports academic collaboration between Baylor University and other institutions of higher learning. The event’s focus is on the use of advanced instrumentation that represents cutting-edge technology at the forefront of analytical chemistry and providing students hands-on experience with this advanced technology.
Dr. Gibson summarized the event from an advisory perspective.
“These workshops benefit faculty members doubly by interactions with peers who specialize in novel applications of techniques that some of us have only studied academically and by the terms of the grant that reinforce collaboration with institutions, such as HPU, that do not enjoy these resources in house,” he said.
Boyer, a junior from Weatherford majoring in forensic science, attended breakout sessions that focused on separating proteins via high-pressure liquid chromatography and characterizing small-molecule crystal structure via X-ray crystallography.
“I had the opportunity to inject a mixed protein sample into an analyzer that separates the different proteins and then can tell the exact mass of each molecule, and this sample is part of a current research project,” said Boyer.
Dunlap, a junior from Brownwood majoring in chemistry, participated in electron paramagnetic resonance studies of free radical catalysts and protein characterization via high-resolution mass spectrometry.
“I feel confident in the knowledge I have gained thus far in my studies at HPU and these experiences inspired me to pursue greater understanding and set new academic goals,” said Dunlap.
All participants gratefully acknowledge the gracious support of HPU’s School of Science and Mathematics, which sponsored the event on behalf of the chemistry program.
Applications are being accepted for the fall 2019 semester at Howard Payne University (www.hputx.edu/apply). HPU offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships for students from Brown County and surrounding counties. For more information about HPU, contact HPU’s Office of Admission at 325-649-8020 or by e-mail at enroll@hputx.edu.