THIBODAUX, La. — A Nicholls chemistry student has been invited to give a presentation at the Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM this February in Washington, D.C.
Cyrus Picou, a Montegut native, is the second Nicholls student in as many years to present at the prestigious conference, as Alexandria Aucoin presented this past year.
“The faculty of Nicholls chemistry are devoted to student success, and they mentor our students to become excellent chemists, doctors, pharmacists, entrepreneurs and professionals,” said Chad Young, Nicholls Chemistry department head. “Cyrus is the result of great mentorship from our faculty and his devotion to academic studies.”
Picou studied cryoprotectants over the summer during a research experience for undergraduates in Colorado. Cryoprotectants are molecules that help protect a cell from bursting when cooled to freezing temperatures. Picou researched the ways the molecules impacted our system.
“Being able to go to D.C. to present my research is really awesome because it gives me the chance to network with other researchers in chemistry,” Picou said. “The Nicholls chemistry program has helped me succeed in presentations. Poster competitions were hard for me at first because I had trouble defending my ideas in a one-on-one interaction, but Nicholls chemistry has pushed me to present at these sessions whenever I could.”
The Emerging Researchers National Conference in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics aims to help undergraduate and graduate students enhance their science communication skills and to better understand how to prepare for science careers in a global workforce.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 14, 2018
CONTACT: Jacob Batte, Media Relations and Publications Coordinator, 985.448.4141 or jacob.batte@www.nicholls.edu
