Quiet and dedicated lab work developing greener methods, breaking down pollutants, and building molecules with potential medicinal applications made some noise at the Southern Ontario Undergraduate Student Chemistry Conference (SOUSCC).
Four of the six winners, Will Perks, Andrew Collier, Casey Boudreau and Kenny Baron, sit in the Chemical Science Building enjoying the spotlight of their achievements at SOUSCC.
It's here that Trent students across Chemistry, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Forensic Science and Forensic Chemistry brought forward novel research shaped by long hours at the bench and sharpened through analysis, collaboration, and persistence.
This year, that effort translated into results: six of 24 Trent presenters earned top honours at the 54th annual conference among more than 150 total participants, the University's strongest performance to date.
For Dr. Andrew Vreugdenhil, who supervised multiple award-winning projects, the moment reflects a turning point in students' academic journeys.
"Conferences like SOUSCC are where research becomes real life," Professor Vreugdenhil says. "Students move beyond the lab to communicate their work, defend their ideas, and see how their research contributes to broader scientific conversation. The experience presenting, mobilizing knowledge, and translating complex ideas is essential as they begin careers in research and beyond."
Meet Trent's six winners at SOUSCC
Kenny Baron (Otonabee College) - LGC Group Best Oral Presentation Award
Program: B.Sc. Honours Chemistry; Supervisor: Prof. Eric Keske
Kenny Baron's research tackles a core challenge in synthetic chemistry: how to build complex molecules more efficiently. His work focuses on designing new chemical "leaving groups" that improve cross-coupling reactions processes widely used to create compounds found in pharmaceuticals. By refining how these reactions occur, his approach could lead to more controlled, adaptable methods for producing important medicinal building blocks.
Casey Boudreau (Otonabee College) - CIC Analytical Chemistry Division Best Oral Presentation Award
Program: B.Sc. Honours Biology and Forensic Science; Supervisor: Prof. Sanela Martic
Casey Boudreau explored how to make chemical processes cleaner and more sustainable. Her research compares traditional chemical oxidation with electrochemical methods to transform chlorophenols pollutants often found in industrial waste. By showing how electrochemistry can offer greater control and reduced environmental impact, her work contributes to the push toward greener approaches in chemical manufacturing and remediation.
Andrew Collier (Champlain College) - CIC Surface Science Division Best Oral Presentation Award
Program: B.Sc. Honours Chemistry; Supervisor: Prof. Andrew Vreugdenhil
Andrew Collier's work addresses one of today's most persistent environmental challenges: PFAS contamination. Often called "forever chemicals," these compounds resist breakdown and accumulate in ecosystems. Collier developed and tested activated carbon materials made from low-cost waste sources to capture PFAS from water. His findings help advance practical, scalable solutions for environmental remediation.
Andrew Gordon (Champlain College) - CIC Materials Chemistry Division Best Oral Presentation Award
Program: B.Sc. Honours Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Supervisors: Prof. Andrew Vreugdenhil and Prof. Steven Rafferty
Andrew Gordon's research bridges materials science and biochemistry by anchoring enzymes onto activated carbon surfaces. This approach improves enzyme stability and allows them to be reused an advantage in industrial and environmental applications. By better understanding how enzymes interact with engineered materials, his work supports more efficient enzyme catalysts.
Will Perks (Otonabee College) - Eurofins Best Oral Presentation Award
Program: B.Sc. Honours Biology and Chemistry; Supervisor: Prof. Eric Keske
Will Perks focused on improving a widely used chemical reaction for building compounds with pharmaceutical potential. His work refines a palladium-catalyzed method to produce N-aryl benzhydryl amines, molecules linked to antimicrobial and anticancer activity. By enabling milder conditions and broader compatibility, his approach expands how chemists can create these compounds in practical settings.
Maxwell Schankula (Otonabee College) - CIC Inorganic Chemistry Division Best Oral Presentation Award
Program: B.Sc. Honours Chemistry; Supervisor: Prof. Peter Sues
Maxwell Schankula's research looks toward a cleaner energy future. He is developing nickel-based catalysts designed to improve hydrogen production through electrochemical reactions. Inspired by natural enzymes that efficiently generate hydrogen, his work aims to create more accessible, scalable systems for producing this low-emission fuel.
These projects reflect the range and depth of undergraduate chemistry research at Trent, and opportunities like SOUSCC help take the learning out of the lab and into the real-world.
Learn more about Chemistry and related programs at Trent.
