Biochemistry major Amy Stringer ’20, ’21M, who is in the 3+2 Forensic Science program, was recently awarded the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) Younger Chemists Committee (YCC) Leadership Development Award, which provided her the opportunity to attend the YCC’s Leadership Development Workshop from Jan. 24 to 26. 

“It was an absolute honor to be granted this competitive award,” said Stringer. “I appreciate the strength of the community they provide for scientists around the globe and how they recognize the devotion and passion of members. They show through their actions that they care about not only good science but every individual performing it and leading the next generation.”

This spring, Stringer will be the first Arcadia student to graduate with a Biochemistry degree. She credits Dr. Manny Curotto, professor and chair of Chemistry, as a conduit for making it happen—he worked as a mediator between the Biology and Chemistry departments and helped craft the curriculum so Stringer’s degree will be recognized by both departments. 

As a first-year student, Stringer started working in Dr. Curotto’s lab that focuses on the fundamental research of electrolyte mixtures in lithium batteries and explores questions around the structure and mixtures. Because of her three years of lab experience, she was hired as an intern with Fox Chase Cancer Center last summer, where she conducted research on enzyme kinetics with the P53 protein found in many cancer cells.

The ACS, founded in 1876, is the world’s largest scientific society, with more than 152,000 members in over 140 countries, and awards more than $20 million in grants, scholarships, and awards each year.