Two AU Students Receive National ACS Scholarships

Senior Biochemistry and Biology major Jared Baisden and Junior Toxicology and Environmental Science/Biology major Cassie Nix, have been awarded scholarships this year through the American Chemical Society Scholars Program.  Both Jared and Cassie are actively involved in undergraduate research this year.  Jared’s honors thesis is focused on the isolation of compounds produced by wilting red maple leaves, which may be associated with toxicity to horses that eat these leaves.  He is working under the supervision of Dr. Jeff Weidenhamer.  Cassie is working with Dr. Andrew Trimble on the analysis of estrogens and DDT in environmental samples, and on the analysis of toxic alkaloids in jimsonweed plants.

Jared Baisden

This American Chemical Society program awards renewable scholarships of up to $5,000 to underrepresented students who want to enter the fields of chemistry or chemistry-related fields, such as environmental science, toxicology and chemical technology.  High school seniors and college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors are eligible to apply. 

Cassie Nix

The ACS Scholars Program was established in 1994 to attract African American, Hispanic, and American Indian students considered underrepresented in the chemical sciences by the National Science Foundation to pursue careers in the field.  The program also aims to build awareness of the value and rewards associated with careers in chemistry and to assist students in acquiring skills and credentials needed for success.  AU aluma Marie Southerland (Biochemistry ’12) was a previous recipient of this award.