UA Graduate Student to Attend National Research Symposium

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Ashley Jolly, a University of Alabama doctoral student studying organic chemistry, is one of approximately 75 graduate students who will present their research at a national research symposium this month.

The American Chemical Society Division of Organic Chemistry Graduate Research Symposium provides graduate students studying organic chemistry the opportunity to interact with leaders in academia, industry, funding agencies and publishing at a single venue, as well as opportunities to attend workshops, participate in round-table discussions and learn about post-graduate opportunities. This year’s symposium will be held July 24-27 at the University of California, Irvine.

Jolly will discuss her research working with large macromolecules with characteristics that make them potential vectors for selective drug delivery. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University and expects to graduate from UA in August 2015.

Jolly conducts research in the lab of Dr. Marco Bonizzoni, UA assistant professor of chemistry. The Bonizzoni Supramolecular Chemistry group studies the interactions between very large charged polymers and small organic molecules in water. Insights gained from this research have led them to the development of responsive soft materials with applications in analytical chemistry and drug delivery.

UA’s chemistry department is part of the College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships, Truman Scholarships and memberships on the USA Today Academic All American Team.