The 29th annual Western Canadian Undergraduate Chemistry Conference (WCUCC) was hosted by the University of British Columbia Okanagan in Kelowna this past May. More than 50 undergraduate students from Western Canada showcased 30 oral and 19 poster presentations. The top oral presentation prize went to Benjamin Boswell of the University of British Columbia for “Studies towards the total synthesis of mandelalide A.” Top poster presentation prize was awarded to Jenner Lakusta of the University of Alberta who presented on “Bioorthogonal Chemistry: A New Approach Using Strained Cyclic Allenes.” Keynote speakers included Stephen Campbell of the Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation (AFCC) in Burnaby, BC, Patrick Holland of Yale University, Susan Murch of UBC Okanagan and Tehshik Yoon from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. These speakers presented their research, provided advice to undergraduates and, in the case of Campbell, gave insights into the industrial side of chemistry.
