Welcome to Gustavus Adolphus College’s Student Stories Series!
Pittcon Conference & Expo Presenter
Major: Chemistry
Minor: Computer Science
What was your career opportunity?
I presented my poster, titled, Liquid Chromatography Retention Modeling Web Application at the Pittcon Conference & Expo 2026 in San Antonio, TX. This conference was a wonderful opportunity to learn about advancements in the analytical chemistry field, make connections with companies and students, and learn about internship and graduate school opportunities.
How did you get the opportunity? What steps did you take to achieve this?
I have been working in the Stoll Lab at Gustavus since April 2025. I worked full-time over the summer and continue to work part-time throughout the school year. I have been working on several projects for Dr. Stoll, including the one that I will present at Pittcon this spring.
Tell us more about your accomplishment (include title, role, location, program, etc.)
Pittcon is the premier annual international conference and exposition for laboratory science. It highlights new instrumentation, methodology, discoveries, and research in the field. This experience will strengthen my presentation skills, which are important for my future professional career in research. It will also give me the opportunity to learn about other research, instrumentation, and discoveries in laboratory science from around the world, connecting me with other students and professionals.
Who were some of the people who helped you most at Gustavus to get this opportunity? What did you learn from them?
Dr. Dwight Stoll was the Principal Investigator on this project. He was the one to suggest I attend this conference. He also help set up and fund all travel expenses. I learned the importance of communication, organization, and networking in the field.
How did the Engaged Learning Funds help you be able to complete this experience?
The Engaged Learning Funds helped fund some of my travel expenses so I could attend the conference. Expenses, like airfare, hotel, food, and conference attendance, can add up quickly, making it difficult for a student to attend without financial assistance.
How have you applied things you’ve learned here at Gustavus to this opportunity? (i.e., Career & Self Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Equity & Inclusion, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork, Technology)
I practiced professionalism, critical thinking, and career development while navigating travel plans and networking opportunities.
