Undergrad researchers RISE.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The 12th Annual RISE Workshop was held August 22 to 23, 2007, at The University of Western Ontario (Western). RISE is a student research exchange for undergraduate students in the chemical sciences. Student scholars are selected from participating institutions and spend the summer doing research projects with a RISE group member at another institution. The workshop provides the opportunity for the undergraduate students to network with each other and for the faculty mentors to share their summer experiences. Each student also gives an oral presentation on the project results. This year, the workshop began with the traditional mixer that was held in the grad lounge on the Western campus. The gathering allowed the 14 2007 RISE Scholars, faculty participants, and other guests including RISE alumnae to get acquainted (or re-acquainted). The workshop began the next morning with a few opening remarks from workshop host Mark Workentin, MCIC, Western's dean of science David Wardlaw, MCIC, and Stephen Sims, associate dean faculty of graduate studies.

The highlight of the workshop was the series of student presentations. Special guest Michelle Chretien, MCIC, of the Xerox Research Centre of Canada (a former RISE Scholar herself) gave an overview of the research and other activities going on at Xerox. The day wrapped up with a fabulous meal to celebrate their success at David's Bistro in downtown London, ON.

The 2007 RISE group owes special thanks to the department of chemistry, the deans of science and graduate studies, and the vice-president of research and international relations of Western for generous financial support. They also bid a fond farewell to professor Ron Steer, FCIC, who will be retiring from the University of Saskatchewan and the RISE group in the coming year. Steer has been part of the RISE group since 1998. The full list of 2007 RISE scholars and their research projects can be found on the RISE Canada Web page (www.risecanada.ca) under 2007 Scholars.

The University of Western Ontario