UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS CHEMISTRY MAJOR WINS NATIONAL AWARD

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Chemistry major Ellen M. Pennington is the recipient of the 2003 Undergraduate Student Award of the American Microchemical Society (AMS), for her research on the development of portable devices for chemical analysis, under the direction of Ingrid Fritsch, associate professor of chemistry. The award recognizes an outstanding junior scientist who has been active in analytical chemistry research.

"Ellen is an outstanding and dedicated student and scientist," Fritsch said. "She sets a high standard for undergraduate students."

Pennington was a Chancellor's Scholar and graduated as a Fulbright College Four Year Scholar in 2003. This spring she was inducted into the Arkansas Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa and is a member of both the Golden Key National Honor Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She will begin doctoral studies in chemistry at Purdue University this fall.

In November, she will formally accept the award and present a poster on her research at the 42nd Eastern Analytical Symposium (EAS) and Exposition, in Somerset, N.J. The award consists of a cash prize and stipend to attend the EAS Symposium.

Ellen is the daughter of Melinda and Jodie Pennington of Conway.

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Ingrid Fritsch, assistant professor, department of chemistry and biochemistry, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, (479) 575-6499, ifritsch@uark.edu

Jennifer Sims, department of chemistry and biochemistry, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, (479) 575-5198, jssims@uark.edu