When Dr. Steven Bonser was attending American Chemical Society (ACS) meetings while he worked at Eastman Kodak, he dreamed of one day attending the meetings as an academician with his students.  This August, Bonser will realize that dream when he attends the meeting as an assistant professor of chemistry at Millersville University with honors student, Laura Ruiz Espelt.  Ruiz Espelt, who graduated from Millersville on May 2, with a degree in chemistry, will be picking up one of five Merck Index Women in Chemistry Scholarship Awards.  She will receive it at the 238th ACS national meeting and exposition in Washington, D.C., and, as part of the symposium, will give an oral presentation on her research.

“This is really, really special for me,” said Bonser.  “I am so proud of Ms. Ruiz Espelt, you can’t imagine.”

The 23-year-old Ruiz Espelt is a native of Spain who transferred to Millersville two years ago from one of the University’s partner institutions, the University of Burgos.  She has been working with Bonser to develop novel diaziridine intermediates to be used for the synthesis of specific therapeutic/medicinal molecules, to treat anxiety and depression. 

“It was a huge surprise to receive the award.  I never expected it,” said Ruiz Espelt.  “Dr. Bonser definitely gave me the chemistry bug and encouraged me to go to graduate school.”  Ruiz Espelt will start this fall in the Ph.D. program at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

“I try to instill in my students that a certain pride and privilege comes with doing laboratory research,” said Bonser.  “I want them to catch the science bug, but I also want them to have fun.”  Bonser was with Eastman Kodak for 22 years as a senior R&D organic chemist before taking early retirement.  He spent two years teaching at Bloomsburg and then moved to Millersville.

The Merck award includes a $5,000 check, a stipend for travel and ACS meeting registration, as well as invitations to several special events.

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