WHAT IS GSSPC?
The Graduate Student Symposium Planning Committee (GSSPC) is an effort by the ACS Division of Chemical Education (CHED) to allow graduate students to voice their unique views on chemistry and develop planning and interpersonal skills, which are often not the focus of traditional Ph.D. programs. The role of the GSSPC is to provide the ACS National Meeting with a unique and quality symposium that is led, organized, and executed by graduate students from a selected university. To learn more, check out the ACS website.
FSU GSSPC
Neda Arabzadeh, Programming
B.S. Azad University (2010)
M.S. Azad University (2015)
Advisor: Hedi Matoussi
Neda received her B.S. in applied chemistry from Azad University of Tehran South Branch in Iran. Following her B.S., she received a master’s degree in organic chemistry from Azad University of Tehran Central Branch where she studied and synthesized 3, 4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones and its derivatives. During her M.S., she was drawn deeper into the fascinating world of organic chemistry and strengthened her knowledge in this area. After graduation, Neda moved on to Florida State University to pursue her Ph.D. and joined the research group of Prof. Hedi Mattoussi. Now, she is a third-year graduate student and her research focuses on synthesizing and characterizing inorganic nanocrystals and multidentate ligands. Besides chemistry, she enjoys exercising in her spare time, especially pilates and swimming.
B.S. Azad University (2010)
M.S. Azad University (2015)
Advisor: Hedi Matoussi
Neda received her B.S. in applied chemistry from Azad University of Tehran South Branch in Iran. Following her B.S., she received a master’s degree in organic chemistry from Azad University of Tehran Central Branch where she studied and synthesized 3, 4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones and its derivatives. During her M.S., she was drawn deeper into the fascinating world of organic chemistry and strengthened her knowledge in this area. After graduation, Neda moved on to Florida State University to pursue her Ph.D. and joined the research group of Prof. Hedi Mattoussi. Now, she is a third-year graduate student and her research focuses on synthesizing and characterizing inorganic nanocrystals and multidentate ligands. Besides chemistry, she enjoys exercising in her spare time, especially pilates and swimming.
Ashley Arcidiacono, Co-chair
B.S. Villanova University (2018)
Advisor: Ken Hanson
Ashley is a second-year graduate student in the Hanson Group at Florida State University, working on elucidating energy transfer dynamics of self-assembled bilayers for use in triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion solar cells. Her interest in science began at a very young age. Growing up in Rockville, Maryland, she remembers spending time at the National Institutes of Health, where her mother worked as an immunologist. After engaging in science symposia in high school, Ashley attended Villanova University where she pursued her B.S. in Chemistry and conducted anti-cancer prodrug research under the tutelage of Prof. Jared Paul. With Prof. Paul’s guidance, she helped develop a laboratory course for non-science majors, which sparked her interest in the promotion of scientific literacy in the public. Her interest in graduate research was solidified upon her participation in the NSF sponsored summer REU program at Purdue University her junior year. Upon graduation, Ashley moved on to Florida State University, where her current work focuses on describing complex light-matter interactions. In her free time, she can be found in barre class or spending time with her kitten, Oliver.
B.S. Villanova University (2018)
Advisor: Ken Hanson
Ashley is a second-year graduate student in the Hanson Group at Florida State University, working on elucidating energy transfer dynamics of self-assembled bilayers for use in triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion solar cells. Her interest in science began at a very young age. Growing up in Rockville, Maryland, she remembers spending time at the National Institutes of Health, where her mother worked as an immunologist. After engaging in science symposia in high school, Ashley attended Villanova University where she pursued her B.S. in Chemistry and conducted anti-cancer prodrug research under the tutelage of Prof. Jared Paul. With Prof. Paul’s guidance, she helped develop a laboratory course for non-science majors, which sparked her interest in the promotion of scientific literacy in the public. Her interest in graduate research was solidified upon her participation in the NSF sponsored summer REU program at Purdue University her junior year. Upon graduation, Ashley moved on to Florida State University, where her current work focuses on describing complex light-matter interactions. In her free time, she can be found in barre class or spending time with her kitten, Oliver.
Azza Ben Akacha, Fundraising & Finance
B.S. Faculty of Sciences of Tunisia (2016)
M.S. Faculty of Sciences of Tunisia (2018)
Advisor: Biwu Ma
Azza is a second-year Ph.D. student at Florida State University. She is a member of Prof. Biwu Ma’s research group, where she works on the synthesis of low dimensional luminescent organometallic complexes. Her focus is to develop an eco-friendly and low energy approach to synthesize non-toxic inorganic/organic hybrids. These materials show interesting photophysical properties and can be applied in solid state lighting. Azza came to the United States from Tunisia to pursue her doctoral degree, knowing she would have better access to top research scientists and conferences. She has been very interested in science since high school, and she earned her B.S. and M.S. in solid state chemistry from the Faculty of Sciences of Tunisia. During her Master’s, she went to the American University of Beirut as a visiting student to work on developing fluorescent DNA biosensors. Since only few students from her country come to study in the United States, Azza participated in a discussion panel in the American Embassy in Tunisia to talk about how to apply to American graduate school. Outside of research, Azza is the media outreach member of the Graduate Women in STEM at FSU and enjoys painting.
B.S. Faculty of Sciences of Tunisia (2016)
M.S. Faculty of Sciences of Tunisia (2018)
Advisor: Biwu Ma
Azza is a second-year Ph.D. student at Florida State University. She is a member of Prof. Biwu Ma’s research group, where she works on the synthesis of low dimensional luminescent organometallic complexes. Her focus is to develop an eco-friendly and low energy approach to synthesize non-toxic inorganic/organic hybrids. These materials show interesting photophysical properties and can be applied in solid state lighting. Azza came to the United States from Tunisia to pursue her doctoral degree, knowing she would have better access to top research scientists and conferences. She has been very interested in science since high school, and she earned her B.S. and M.S. in solid state chemistry from the Faculty of Sciences of Tunisia. During her Master’s, she went to the American University of Beirut as a visiting student to work on developing fluorescent DNA biosensors. Since only few students from her country come to study in the United States, Azza participated in a discussion panel in the American Embassy in Tunisia to talk about how to apply to American graduate school. Outside of research, Azza is the media outreach member of the Graduate Women in STEM at FSU and enjoys painting.
Maya Chaaban, Programing
B.S. Lebanese University (2012)
M.S. Lebanese University (2014)
M.S. American University of Beirut (2017)
Advisor: Biwu Ma
Maya Chaaban received her Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the Lebanese University and her master’s degree in inorganic chemistry from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon. Her passion towards the domain of inorganic chemistry pushed her to go further in her postgrad studies and apply to Ph.D. programs in the United States. She is currently a third-year Ph.D. student in Prof. Biwu Ma’s group at Florida State University. Her research focuses on the development of novel luminescent metal complexes that can be used in light emitting devices and sensors. Outside the lab, she serves as a secretary in the Lebanese social organization at Florida State University, an organization that aims to increase the knowledge of Lebanese culture.
B.S. Lebanese University (2012)
M.S. Lebanese University (2014)
M.S. American University of Beirut (2017)
Advisor: Biwu Ma
Maya Chaaban received her Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the Lebanese University and her master’s degree in inorganic chemistry from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon. Her passion towards the domain of inorganic chemistry pushed her to go further in her postgrad studies and apply to Ph.D. programs in the United States. She is currently a third-year Ph.D. student in Prof. Biwu Ma’s group at Florida State University. Her research focuses on the development of novel luminescent metal complexes that can be used in light emitting devices and sensors. Outside the lab, she serves as a secretary in the Lebanese social organization at Florida State University, an organization that aims to increase the knowledge of Lebanese culture.
Carl Conti, Co-chair
B.S. Michigan State University (2016)
Advisor: Geoff Strouse
Carl is a second-year graduate student from Virginia Beach, VA. He attended Michigan State University, where he majored in chemistry and minored in Spanish. During this time, he received the ACS Yates Award for Inorganic Chemistry and performed undergraduate research in organometallics under the supervision of Prof. Aaron Odom. Carl then moved on to industry where he worked in the R&D department at XG Sciences developing graphene nanoplatelets for commercial use. Since 2018, he has been a member of the Geoff Strouse group at Florida State University, where he studies plasmonic semiconductor nanocrystals for applications such as sensing, electrochromic materials, and catalysis. Outside of chemistry, Carl was section leader of the drumline at Michigan State and is an avid golfer.
B.S. Michigan State University (2016)
Advisor: Geoff Strouse
Carl is a second-year graduate student from Virginia Beach, VA. He attended Michigan State University, where he majored in chemistry and minored in Spanish. During this time, he received the ACS Yates Award for Inorganic Chemistry and performed undergraduate research in organometallics under the supervision of Prof. Aaron Odom. Carl then moved on to industry where he worked in the R&D department at XG Sciences developing graphene nanoplatelets for commercial use. Since 2018, he has been a member of the Geoff Strouse group at Florida State University, where he studies plasmonic semiconductor nanocrystals for applications such as sensing, electrochromic materials, and catalysis. Outside of chemistry, Carl was section leader of the drumline at Michigan State and is an avid golfer.
Miguel Gakiya, Fundraising & Finance
B.S. Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (2016)
Advisor: Michael Shatruk
Miguel is a first-year graduate student from Lima, Peru in the research group of Prof. Michael Shatruk. He fell in love with science, and more specifically inorganic chemistry, when he attended the Peruvian congress of chemistry and saw how inorganic chemistry can be applied in many different areas such as medicine, electronics, environmental science, and more. This eventually led him to pursue a major in chemistry at Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, one of the largest universities in Peru. He completed his undergraduate thesis at Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia under his advisor was Prof. Juan Carlos Rodriguez. His thesis was about the functionalization of silver nanoparticles with antimicrobial peptides. Upon graduation, he carried his love for inorganic and organic chemistry into graduate school at Florida State University. His research interests broadly lie in the synthesis of iron complexes and their sublimation over surfaces to apply in spintronics. Outside of the lab, he likes to play soccer and baseball.
B.S. Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (2016)
Advisor: Michael Shatruk
Miguel is a first-year graduate student from Lima, Peru in the research group of Prof. Michael Shatruk. He fell in love with science, and more specifically inorganic chemistry, when he attended the Peruvian congress of chemistry and saw how inorganic chemistry can be applied in many different areas such as medicine, electronics, environmental science, and more. This eventually led him to pursue a major in chemistry at Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, one of the largest universities in Peru. He completed his undergraduate thesis at Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia under his advisor was Prof. Juan Carlos Rodriguez. His thesis was about the functionalization of silver nanoparticles with antimicrobial peptides. Upon graduation, he carried his love for inorganic and organic chemistry into graduate school at Florida State University. His research interests broadly lie in the synthesis of iron complexes and their sublimation over surfaces to apply in spintronics. Outside of the lab, he likes to play soccer and baseball.
Raul Ortega, Marketing
B.S. Florida Atlantic University (2017)
Advisor: Geoff Strouse
Raul is a second-year graduate student working with Prof. Geoff Strouse on the synthesis, characterization, and study of the photophysical properties of lanthanide containing nanomaterials and environmentally friendly quantum dots. Originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, he moved to Florida at the age of fifteen. Here he finished his last two years of high school, then he proceeded to get his B.S. in chemistry at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). At FAU, he was awarded a 2016 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow (SURF) where he worked under Prof. Daniel de Lill on the development of new lanthanide containing metal organic framework towards the detection of explosives. After his summer fellowship ended, his love for the research he was conducting motivated him to continue doing directed independent research in the de Lill group until his graduation. His academic research eventually inspired him to pursuit a chemistry Ph.D. at Florida State University developing materials for tomorrow’s technologies. in his free time, he enjoys watching movies and reading many genres of books.
B.S. Florida Atlantic University (2017)
Advisor: Geoff Strouse
Raul is a second-year graduate student working with Prof. Geoff Strouse on the synthesis, characterization, and study of the photophysical properties of lanthanide containing nanomaterials and environmentally friendly quantum dots. Originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, he moved to Florida at the age of fifteen. Here he finished his last two years of high school, then he proceeded to get his B.S. in chemistry at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). At FAU, he was awarded a 2016 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow (SURF) where he worked under Prof. Daniel de Lill on the development of new lanthanide containing metal organic framework towards the detection of explosives. After his summer fellowship ended, his love for the research he was conducting motivated him to continue doing directed independent research in the de Lill group until his graduation. His academic research eventually inspired him to pursuit a chemistry Ph.D. at Florida State University developing materials for tomorrow’s technologies. in his free time, he enjoys watching movies and reading many genres of books.
Sandugash Yergeshbayeva, Speaker Liason
M.S. Eurasian National University (2013)
Advisor: Michael Shatruk
Sandugash is a second-year international graduate student at Florida State University. She works in Prof. Michael Shatruk’s research group where she designs new spin transition complexes and the studies the impact of molecular switches on the structure and properties of multifunctional organic-inorganic hybrids, when combined with organic radical anions. Before joining FSU’s graduate program, she worked at the Nazarbayev University (Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan) in the organic synthesis laboratory, where she was responsible for the synthesis of porphyrins, oligonucleotides and peptides. In addition, she was actively involved in the academic process of the science school as a laboratory coordinator. Her passion for science and education led her to win scholarships for research training, including Erasmus+ traineeship in Spain at the University of Cordoba, funded by the European Union, where she has been working on a research project related to the preparation and electrochemical study of self-assembled monolayers of alkanethiolates on gold electrode. Besides research and teaching, Sandugash likes to play chess, practice yoga and learn foreign languages.
M.S. Eurasian National University (2013)
Advisor: Michael Shatruk
Sandugash is a second-year international graduate student at Florida State University. She works in Prof. Michael Shatruk’s research group where she designs new spin transition complexes and the studies the impact of molecular switches on the structure and properties of multifunctional organic-inorganic hybrids, when combined with organic radical anions. Before joining FSU’s graduate program, she worked at the Nazarbayev University (Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan) in the organic synthesis laboratory, where she was responsible for the synthesis of porphyrins, oligonucleotides and peptides. In addition, she was actively involved in the academic process of the science school as a laboratory coordinator. Her passion for science and education led her to win scholarships for research training, including Erasmus+ traineeship in Spain at the University of Cordoba, funded by the European Union, where she has been working on a research project related to the preparation and electrochemical study of self-assembled monolayers of alkanethiolates on gold electrode. Besides research and teaching, Sandugash likes to play chess, practice yoga and learn foreign languages.