Chemistry News & Events

2025 Science Atlantic-CIC Chemistry Conference (ChemCon)

The 2025 Science Atlantic-CIC Chemistry Conference (ChemCon) took place from May 22–24 at the University of Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown, PE), bringing together students and researchers from across Atlantic Canada to share innovative work in the field of chemistry. The Department of Chemistry and Physics at the Mount is proud to congratulate undergraduate students Marianna Kovtun and Sarah Mulla for representing our department with excellence at the conference.

Marianna Kovtun, working under the supervision of Dr. Dhésmon Lima, presented her research titled: “Tuning Electron Transfer at Hemin-Modified Graphite Electrodes: An Electrochemical Study Using Ferricyanide as a Redox Probe”. Marianna is the 2025 recipient of the Jeanne Sauvé Endowed Award for Women in Science, a distinction that recognizes academic excellence and supports female representation in Science at the Mount. Sarah Mulla, also supervised by Dr. Dhésmon Lima, presented her project titled: “Tailoring Graphite Paste Electrodes with Cobalt Phthalocyanine for Improved Redox Activity,” showcasing the creativity and depth of undergraduate research in our department. Marianna and Sarah have just finished their first year and joined Dr. Lima’s laboratory as summer research students only a few weeks ago, which makes their participation at ChemCon even more impressive.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Marianna and Sarah for their great achievements and thank them for representing our department with such professionalism and enthusiasm.

Marianna Kovtun presenting at ChemCon 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah Mulla presenting at ChemCon 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marianna Kovtun, Sarah Mulla & Dr. Dhésmon Lima at ChemCon 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Katherine Darvesh retirement celebration

On June 12, 2024 the Department of Chemistry & Physics held a retirement celebration for our beloved colleague, Dr. Katherine Darvesh. Kathy retired from the Mount on June 30, 2024 after 35 years of outstanding service. Congratulations Kathy! You will be missed.

Dr. Kathy Darvesh at her retirement celebration on June 12, 2024

 

2024 Science Atlantic-CIC Chemistry Conference (ChemCon)

ChemCon 2024 was held on May 23 – 25 at Cape Breton University. The department would like to congratulate the following students on receiving prestigious national awards from the Canadian Society for Chemistry:

• Chemistry Honours student Erin Wiggins, working with Dr. Ian Pottie, won the Chemical Education Award for her presentation titled: “Adapting Titration Experiments for Students with Colour-Vision Deficiencies.”
• Chemistry Honours student Ailish Sullivan, working with Dr. Chérif Matta and Dr. Tina Harriott, won the Science Atlantic Science Communication Award for her presentation: “Exploring Chemical Sources of Diffuse Interstellar Bands Through Quantum Mechanics.”

Ailish Sullivan and Erin Wiggins receiving their ChemCon 2024 awards

 

Convocation Awards

Several of our students and faculty were honoured at the 2024 Convocation ceremonies held May 16 and 17.

• Jillian Mozvik, Bachelor of Science (Chemistry minor), was awarded the President’s Prize.
• Ailish Sullivan, Bachelor of Science (Chemistry major), was awarded the President’s Prize.
• Nicole Cox, Bachelor of Science (Chemistry major), was presented membership to Kappa Gamma Pi.
• Dr. Kathy Darvesh was awarded Professor Emeritus status.
• Dr. Reem Abuzaytoun, a long standing and valued Part-Time Faculty member in our department, was awarded the Alumni Part-Time Teaching Award.

Dr. Reem Abuzaytoun receiving her Alumni Part-Time Teaching Award