UW-Fond du Lac students to present their Green Chemistry research on May 13

Fond du Lac, Wis.—Inspired by the work of the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards Program, nominees, three organic chemistry students from UW-Fond du Lac will present their semester long research on Tuesday, May 13, 6-9 p.m. in the LGI Room (UC-113/114) at UW-Fond du Lac, 400 University Drive. The public is invited to attend.

Morgan Weber, Robert Zuengler, and Ben Batura are enrolled in Organic Chemistry, a service-learning course taught by Dr. Ronald Theys, UW-Fond du Lac assistant professor.

Service-learning takes students beyond the classroom and out into the community. It is a teaching and learning method that expands students understanding of course material while at the same time giving back to the community through service.

Weber, a graduate of New Holstein High School and currently a junior at UW-Fond du Lac, will focus on the role of cholesterol in the body. She will discuss a greener method to generate hydroxynitrile, a key building block for the cholesterol reducing drug, atorvastatin, which is the active ingredient in Lipitor®.

Zuengler, a graduate of Campbellsport High School and currently a freshman at UW-Fond du Lac, will explore water quality and a new technology that tests for arsenic. He will present the results of his research on the arsenic levels in our local drinking water, ponds, streams and Lake Winnebago.

Bautra, a graduate of Fond du Lac High School and currently a sophomore at UW-Fond du Lac, will discuss the ever expanding research into biofuels. In particular, he will concentrate on the area of bio-diesel. He will explore an innovative way to use glycerin, a by-product of biodiesel production, for the large scale production of biologically compatible antifreeze called propylene glycol.

For more information concerning these presentations, contact Dr. Theys at (920) 929-3633 or ronald.theys@uwc.edu .

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