2025 Chemistry Graduate Retreat

Chemistry Graduate Community Gathers for 2025 Fall Retreat at King Family Vineyard

On October 14, 2025, the Chemistry Department hosted its annual Graduate Research Retreat at the scenic King Family Vineyard, bringing together students, postdocs, and faculty for a day devoted to research, collaboration, and community.

The retreat featured 12 oral presentations and 34 posters, highlighting the remarkable range of scientific inquiry across the department. Graduate students shared advances in areas spanning chemical education, synthesis, materials, analytical methods, chemical biology, and sustainability.

Beyond research presentations, attendees connected with campus partners during tabling sessions featuring ChemSciComm, Graduate Student Council, Office of Sustainability, PhD+, Community Engagement Committee, L.E.A.D., Safety Officers, Belonging in Science Journal Club, and the Career Seminar Series. The day’s program also included time to network, enjoy local food and wine, and celebrate the collective accomplishments of the Chemistry community.

Recognizing Excellence: 2025 Retreat Award Recipients

This year’s retreat concluded with awards honoring outstanding presentations across oral and poster sessions:

Oral Presentation Awards
🥇 Emily Kable (M. Stains Lab) – 1st Place Talk
🥈 MaryJo McCormick (Machan Lab) – 2nd Place Talk
💬 Juaneisha Finnie (Columbus Lab) – People’s Choice Talk

Poster Presentation Awards
🥇 Sarah Newkirk (Pires Lab) – 1st Place Poster
🥈 Elizabeth Johnson (Machan Lab) – 2nd Place Poster
💬 Sam Webster (Venton Lab) – People’s Choice Poster

Community and Collaboration

The success of this event was made possible through the dedication of the Retreat Prep Committee — Julia McAfee, Ben Faulkner, Erin Lawrence, Sydney Willis, Finn Davis, Eric Donarski, and Monika Wieliniec — and the generous support of our sponsors: the Waters Corporation, Cambridge Isotope Laboratories Inc., and IKA.
The Chemistry Department would like to also thank King Family Vineyard, DaH Catering, Spectrum Integrators, and A and A Limo.

From engaging scientific discussions to shared meals overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, the retreat underscored the department’s commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and intellectually vibrant environment.

Here’s to another year of collaboration, curiosity, and discovery within the Chemistry community.