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WWU Chemistry senior claims research award at annual Murdock Conference

Gabriel Black is the first WWU student recognized at the invite-only conference

by Mikayla King

WWU Communications

Gabriel Black (left) receives the Van Zytveld Physical Sciences Award at the Murdock College Science Research Conference

Chemistry senior Gabriel Black of Asotin was awarded the John Van Zytveld Physical Sciences Award at the Murdock College Science Research Conference in Vancouver on Nov. 8. 

The conference is an invitation-only event that gathers undergraduates from 12 universities across the Pacific Northwest for a weekend of shared research and networking.

Black is the first Western Washington University student to win the award since WWU began attending in 2013. He presented his research into the role of hydrogen bonding in iron-based conversion of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (N2O). 

Nitrogen oxides are potent aquatic pollutants, and understanding the role hydrogen bonding has in these conversions can inform how we might be able to remove the pollutants from waterways, Black said. 

Gabriel Black researches hydrogen bonding within John Gilbertson's chemistry lab.

This work expands on research he performed in John Gilbertson’s lab on nitrogen coupling and was selected by chemistry department faculty after they solicited nominations. 

Gilbertson said Black’s project was selected for the conference talk based on Black’s impact, including research accomplishments and communication skills. 

“The success at the conference is a natural reflection of Gabe's excellence,” Gilbertson said. “He has been a stellar, dedicated researcher since he joined the lab in 2023.”

Receiving the award meant Black was not only an effective scientist but an effective communicator as well, he said.

“A fundamental part of science is sharing your findings with the public,” Black said. “Winning this award means I was able to do that successfully, and for that I am deeply honored.”

Nine other students joined Black at the conference to present their own research at the poster session: Bo Petrich, Nate Grattan, Grace Vigoren, Christopher Rupp, Megan Downer, Megan Barton, Finn Bailey, Adam Wachsman and Noah Cox-Tigre. 

In recognition of his award, Black received $500 to go toward educational costs with an additional $1,000 awarded to the Chemistry Department.

To learn more about student research happening in the chemistry department, including in the Gilbertson lab, visit https://chemistry.wwu.edu/

Mikayla King (‘17) covers the College of Science and Engineering and Woodring College of Education for University Communications. Reach out to her with story ideas at kingm24@wwu.edu.