Dear Carroll College Chemistry Alumni and Supporters:
Helena has been enjoying an unseasonably warm and sunny winter. Below, you’ll find exciting updates from our department since the fall newsletter.
Chemistry Faculty Continue to Secure External Funding for Cutting Edge Chemical Instrumentation
In November 2025, Carroll College announced that Dr. Rebecca Coates, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, was awarded a $50,000 Infrastructure Grant from the Montana IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE). The funding will support the purchase of a new FTIR spectroscopy system, an important piece of scientific equipment that will strengthen both teaching and hands-on student research.
The proposal – Enhancing Undergraduate Research and Teaching through Modern FTIR Spectroscopy – was selected through a highly competitive statewide review process. The remaining funds needed to complete the purchase were provided through a donor gift designated for new instrumentation in the Chemistry Department.
Chemistry faculty routinely secure external funding to purchase new instrumentation and hire summer research students. Leveraging donor funds allows us to maximize the impact of our scholarly work and be competitive for large external research awards. You can help us provide these impactful opportunities for Carroll College students. To learn more about supporting student research opportunities, instrumentation, or creating endowed faculty professorships, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at advancement@carroll.edu or 406-447-4491.
Chemistry Student Receives Award at Research Conference
Carroll College senior chemistry major Max Gawlik earned the 2025 Murdock College Science Research Poster Prize for Analytical-Inorganic-Physical Chemistry–Computational Chemistry at this year’s M.J. Murdock College Science Research (MCSR) Conference.
Max presented his summer research project titled, “Electrochemistry of Methylphenyl Thiophene.” Judges selected his work based on a combination of criteria including communication, depth of analysis, creativity, organization, clarity, and his poise in responding to questions. According to the award committee, he “excelled in every way.” Gawlik conducts this research under the mentorship of John Rowley, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry.
“The opportunity to present the research you have conducted to other scientists and get feedback is awesome,” said Gawlik. “I would recommend undergraduate research to any student.
This research poster award continues the string of recognition received by Carroll College undergraduate researchers at the MCSR. In 2023, chemistry research student Elliot Wald received the John Van Zytveld Award in the Physical Sciences for her presentation on Metal-oxide Photovoltaic Cells Synthesized using Materials Abundant in the Martian Regolith.
Summer Research in the Chemistry Department
Hitt Research Group
This past summer, the Hitt group pursued the synthesis of antibiotic candidates based on two known structural units known to exhibit antibacterial activity. Upon completion, these derivatives will be screened in the Microbiology course at Carroll in collaboration with Dr. Goemann and evaluated in the capstone Integrated Lab course using a spectrophotometric protein inhibition assay.
Some of the synthetic highlights from this past summer's program include the successful isolation and characterization of products from an heterocyclic-forming condensation, an aromatic nitro reduction, a nucleophilic aromatic substitution formation of a diphenyl ether, a simultaneous TBS protection of a phenol and carboxylic acid, and an acyl substitution from a homemade Grignard and Weinreb amide (an alkyl Grignard nonetheless)! Outside of the cannula transfers and J-value calculations happening in the lab, students were able to enjoy donut Friday socials and fantastically stimulating mechanism meetings (backdrop for group picture) where students tackled a different arrow-pushing mechanism every day for each reaction in the multi-step syntheses they were carrying out in lab.
All in all, it was a very productive and fun three-week program, which will hopefully lead to more progress next year after Dr. Hitt returns from sabbatical during the fall semester.
Coates Research Group
In response to the 2024 mass fish kill at Park Lake near Helena, the Coates research group undertook a detailed environmental chemistry investigation to better understand the chemical conditions that may have contributed to the event. With historical mining activity in the region and Arctic grayling selectively affected, this project applied analytical chemistry tools to examine whether metal contamination and changing environmental conditions played a role in the lake’s ecosystem stress.
Students in the Coates research group conducted field measurements of pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and key dissolved species using ion selective electrodes. These measurements were paired with laboratory analysis using ICP-OES following acid digestion protocols to quantify metal concentrations in water, sediment, surrounding vegetation, and fish tissue. By comparing newly collected samples with archived samples from the previous year, the team evaluated how environmental chemistry changed over time and which metals could have been responsible for the acute toxicity event. The data were interpreted in the context of EPA and Montana DEQ water quality standards and known fish toxicity thresholds to assess potential chemical risk and explore links between contamination and fish mortality. Ongoing sampling and testing will continue this summer to evaluate the current status of the lake and determine whether a continued threat exists.
Curious about our findings? Dr. Coates’ research students will be presenting their findings at Carroll’s Student Research Festival (SRF) on April 24.
SAINTS GIVING DAY
March 19-20, 2026
Join us in supporting the Chemistry Department as we raise funds for undergraduate research during the fifth annual Saints Giving Day. This 24-hour online fundraising campaign kicks off at noon on Thursday, March 19, and continues until noon on Friday, March 20.
The Chemistry Undergraduate Research Fund recognizes that the quality of our students' experiences is central to Carroll’s mission and value proposition. Many students conduct research at Carroll College under the guidance of faculty and make original contributions to their field.
The opportunity to participate in undergraduate research is transformative for students, and it can help build valuable skills and bring clarity to students' future career goals. Additionally, being able to travel to conferences and present their scholarly research has proven to be an extremely rewarding experience for students.
While the Chemistry Department and Carroll College as a whole are working towards a permanent source of funding for these experiences, we would like to create opportunities for as many students as possible to conduct research and to travel to conferences. Donations will be used to support student research stipends, conference registration fees, travel, lodging, per diem, and other conference expenses.
Can you help us spread the word about the Chemistry – Undergraduate Research Fund to your friends and family? If so, please sign up to be an Ambassador for our program. Ambassadors will receive a tool-kit to help guide you through what it means to be an Ambassador and how to share the word about your important Cause.
Chemistry students and faculty members routinely support programs from all across our campus. Notable programs include
Medicine in Mexico
Engineers Without Borders – Guatemala
Supporting these Saints Giving Day Causes is yet another way to support our students and the amazing work they do across the globe.
Chemistry Faculty Provide Guest Lectures at Montana High Schools
Over the past few years chemistry faculty have travelled around Montana giving guest lectures at high schools. The presentations shared some of our recent undergraduate research projects like: Copper leaching from drinking vessels. Faculty have presented at:
Box Elder High School (May 2025)
Helena High School (May 2025)
Sentinel High School (May 2025)
Thompson Falls High School (May 2025)
Billings West High School (Oct. 2024)
Fairfield High School (March 2024)
Valley Christian in Missoula (Feb. 2024)
Sentinel High School (Feb. 2024)
Thompson Falls High School (Jan. 2024)
It was a pleasure meeting these students and the dedicated high school educators who support them.
Please reach out to the Chemistry Department if you or someone you know would be interested in having chemistry faculty provide guest lectures at your high school or community group.
PEAK Students Explore the Chemistry of Plastics
Carroll College continues to open its campus and share faculty expertise with the Helena community, creating hands-on learning opportunities that inspire curiosity and introduce young learners to the possibilities of science. In December, Carroll College chemistry faculty welcomed students from the Helena Public Schools Gifted and Talented PEAK program for a series of immersive workshops focused on the chemistry of plastics.
Approximately 160 third, fourth, and fifth grade PEAK students visited the campus of Carroll College on December 10, 11, 16, and 18. The workshops were designed and facilitated by Dr. John Rowley, associate professor of chemistry, who led students through college-level concepts using age-appropriate, engaging activities and Carroll’s laboratory facilities.
To learn more, check out the news article released in January.