Get Involved
Getting involved allows you to gain professional experiences and make professional connections with future colleagues. From Chem Club to graduate fraternal organizations to community outreach activities, learn more about ways to get involved and to strengthen your skill set.
UConn Chemistry Club
The UConn Chemistry Club — known well as the “Chem Club” — is an official student affiliation of the American Chemical Society. Members meet regularly to conduct experiments and talk about chemistry in the news. Members give short presentations on anything from how to do research at UConn to landing a job in today's industry. It's a club for anyone who enjoys chemistry, not just chemistry majors, and it's totally free to join. Contact uconnchemclub@gmail.com for more information.
Undergraduate Research
Learn by doing! At UConn, get involved in research as early as your freshman year. Through undergraduate research experiences, you will work in the research labs of world-renown faculty. Learn valuable skills that will prepare you for the lab, classroom, and beyond!
Chemistry Graduate Student Advisory Committee (GSAC)
The Graduate Student Advisory Committee (GSAC) is composed of eight graduate students and three faculty. GSAC works to build a strong community spirit among the graduate students, serve as a resource to the Department Head, and organize initiatives for the betterment of the graduate students and the outside community.
Grad students will elect six representatives from their own ranks and two faculty members. The remainder of the committee will be selected by the head of the department. More details can be found in the GSAC bylaws (login required).
Feel free to contact us at chemistry_gsac@uconn.edu about anything!
2024 - 2025 Committee Members
Graduate Students (year of study):
Hansana Gunathihlaka (2)
Solace Attah (2)
Deep Shikha Srivastava (3)
Chelsea Schroeder (4)
Anietie Williams (4)
Hawi Nyiera (5)
Faculty:
Prof. Nate Hohman
Prof. Michael Kienzler
Joint Safety Team (JST)
The Joint Safety Team (JST) in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Connecticut is a student-led initiative to build laboratory safety culture within academic labs, expand graduate student understanding of industry laboratory safety culture, and for students to build professional capacity through building and leading projects. If you are a current graduate student bursting with ideas and looking to make an impact on this department while building your professional network and those all-important “soft” skills, contact Christian McCoy at christian.mccoy@uconn.edu.
Phi Lambda Upsilon (PLU)
The aims and purposes of Phi Lambda Upsilon are the promotion of high scholarship and original investigation in all branches of pure and applied chemistry. Phi Lambda Upsilon was founded as an honorary chemical society in March 1899 at the University of Illinois. This was the first honor society dedicated to a single scientific discipline. In the span of 113 years, Phi Lambda Upsilon has grown into an organization comprising seventy-three chapters and more than 60,000 members. The Alpha Phi chapter, here at UConn, is comprised of approximately 20 graduate students. We aim to narrow the gap between graduate students and faculty by organizing various social activities.
It’s a great and fun way to interact with your colleagues, faculty, and visitors!
2021 - 2022 Officers
Chapter councilor: Dr. Mark Peczuh
President: Henric Bacurio
Vice President: Lasangi Dhanapala
Secretary: Arlene Bartolome
Treasurer: Christen Hughes
Social Chairperson: Clodette Punzalan
If you are interested in joining PLU, please email uconnplu@gmail.com with your name and year of graduate work (1st, 2nd, 3rd etc.).
Chemistry Department Outreach & Engagement Activities
The Chemistry Department has a strong history of service and outreach. Through community engagement, we strive to make chemistry engaging and accessible for all. Our programs educate and inspire through interactive demonstrations, community events, and national research opportunities.
ACS Chemistry Olympiad
The U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad is a multi-tiered chemistry competition. The top four students of the national competition represent the United States in the annual International Chemistry Olympiad.
In collaboration with the American Chemical Society (ACS) Connecticut Valley Section, the UConn Department of Chemistry hosts competing high school students in the Eastern Connecticut local competition.
Southern New England Middle School Science Bowl
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Science Bowl® is a nationwide academic competition that tests students’ knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics. Teams of middle school students compete in a series of fast-paced question-and-answer rounds. The winning team from Connecticut and Rhode Island then goes on to compete against other middle school students in the National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C.
Learn more about the Southern New England Middle School Science Bowl
UConn Activities
UConn is home to more than 700 clubs and organizations, a network of community service options, various cultural centers and programs, and over 191,000 square feet of recreational facilities. There is no shortage of options: check them out!
UConn Student Activities
UConn has more than 700 clubs and organizations keep you busy and engaged. From the 3D Printing Club to STEMTalk Magazine and so much more, there's no shortage of options!
UConn Community Outreach
Some students choose to donate their time for various community service projects, like building homes for underprivileged families or tutoring youth in after-school programs. Find out how to get involved in your community!
UConn Cultural Centers & Programs
UConn's Cultural Centers and programs are open to the entire University community, offering academic and extracurricular programming that fosters diversity and cultural understanding.
UConn Recreation
If recreation is what interests you, UConn Recreation has you covered! The University has 37 club sports teams and over 1,500 club sport athletes. Our Student Recreation Center also offers 191,000 square feet of fitness areas, playing courts, and activity centers — including two pools, four basketball courts, and the biggest climbing wall among northeastern universities.