Angie Lopez-Yepes
Staff Writer
ULV’s Chemistry Club emphasizes the significance of chemistry and its impact on our daily lives through virtual games, informational sessions, and engaging events amid the pandemic.
Created six years ago, the Chemistry Club is an official chapter of the American Chemical Society, a national organization in support of scientific inquiry in the field of chemistry.
Club president Jennifer Salaiza, sophomore chemistry major, believes in the power of chemistry and its effects all around us.
“We try to implement a lot of science stuff into everyday things,” said Salaiza. “People shouldn’t be afraid of chemistry. I know it’s all these molecules, but sometimes you have the look at the bigger picture.”
The Chemistry Club separates its events in three categories: social events, science outreach and professional development.
Social events consist of fun and educational activities revolving around the topic of chemistry. The club also invites guest speakers who are experts in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to speak to members and provide scientific outreach. Professional development includes internship searching or resume building events.
“I love how we have those three different sections in the club so we can get all the good stuff from the club and get connected and just have fun,” club secretary Tracy Destefano, sophomore chemistry major, said.
Their current faculty advisor Katherine Bay, assistant professor of organic chemistry, was one of the original founders of the Chemistry Club at the University of La Verne as a student in 2015. She helps bring in new ideas or solutions, especially since the start of the pandemic.
One of the club’s most popular events is its holiday rose event where students are able to paint or tie dye roses to see the chemical reaction.
Because of COVID-19, all of their events are online; however, they still create interactive ways to make it fun to maintain a feeling of community with each other, such as hosting an Among Us game or movie nights.
“I know for chemistry majors there’s not a lot of us at ULV, so it’s kind of a good group to come in if you feel like no one understands you” said Salaiza.
Not only does the club fully welcome all chemistry students into their club, but anyone is able to join as they aim to be as inclusive as possible.
“Chemistry Club isn’t specifically for chemistry and anyone in STEM, it can be open to anyone at the school,” said Chloe Frescas, junior chemistry major and vice president of the Chemistry Club.
Annelise Hurtado, sophomore biology major, joined because she wanted to branch out further and gain more leadership experiences.
“What’s cool is that we’re all women in the executive board and being in STEM, we sort of enlighten each other and uplift each other to change the stereotype that it’s not only for guys, but for everyone,” Hurtado said.
The executive board of the club meets weekly to come up with new ideas and events to bring light the importance of chemistry and how fun it can be.
The club itself meets at least once a month on Mondays around noon.
The Chemistry Club will host a Cookie Bake event April 5 at noon.
To sign up, visit ULV events on Campus Labs.
For more information, follow the Chemistry Club at @ulvchemclub on Instagram, or text @ulv to 81010 for text reminders and updates.
Angie Lopez-Yepes can be reached at angie.lopezyepes@laverne.edu.
