Rhodes junior Emma Selner was one of 60 students nationwide who presented her research to members of Congress at the 2017 Posters on the Hill hosted by the the Council on Undergraduate Research. She presented “Design of Novel Inhibitors for the Aldehyde Dehydrogenases,” and Prof. Mauricio Cafiero of the Department of Chemistry was her faculty advisor for the project.
Posters on the Hill gives undergraduate science students the opportunity to talk with senators and representatives about their research in the form of poster presentations and to communicate the importance of funding for science research. The event was held April 25-26 in Washington, DC.
“At Posters on the Hill, I met with senators and education policy writers and reformers, and advocated for the future of science and research funding," says Selner. "I have completed a year and a half of computational chemistry research, trying to design novel drugs to enhance treatments for Parkinson's disease. My work with Dr. Cafiero has pushed me to expand my learning outside the classroom and make connections to come to a greater understanding of my work. The positive and encouraging environment of Dr. Cafiero’s lab has helped me become a better student, researcher, and person. I have acquired more knowledge, skills, mentors, and friends than I could have ever imagined.”