University to host joint photochemistry symposium

The University’s Energy Production and Infrastructure Center is the location for the joint UNC Charlotte and N.C. State University Photochemistry Symposium, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26.

Photochemistry, basically stated, is the study of chemical changes caused by light. The symposium will focus on early-career researchers and students as a way to grow knowledge and enthusiasm for photochemistry and its implications for society, said symposium organizers.

“Within photochemistry, the range of work is broad and deep, with significance to medicine, energy, the environment and other fields,” said Michael Walter, an assistant professor of chemistry and one of the symposium organizers from UNC Charlotte, along with assistant professor Marcus Jones. “We want to bring together faculty and student researchers from around the state so we collectively can learn more from each other about what is occurring in this growing area of science.”

The 2013 Photochemistry Symposium will cover all areas of photochemistry from natural to artificial systems. The symposium especially will focus on three main goals this year:

• To foster new connections and collaborations among the photochemistry researchers at N.C. State, UNC Charlotte and other local institutions
• To strengthen the photochemical sciences in North Carolina, focusing especially on early-career investigators
• To provide students and researchers the opportunities to present their work in a smaller collaborative environment

There will be two poster group sessions and nine guest speakers will give presentations. More information about the conference, including registration and the schedule, is on the Web.