The RSC Americas team sponsored three undergraduate poster awards at the recent 2026 Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry in Tucson, Arizona. These prizes complemented corresponding graduate poster awards that were funded by the Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, and all of these were coordinated by WCPS Awards Co-Chair and JAAS Editorial Board Member Prof. Gerardo Gamez.
Tuesday first-place winner: Melis Kocak, Saint Anselm College
“Characterization of Fiber Samples by X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy” (co-authors Melody Oakes, Ruth Ann Armitage, and Mary Kate Donais)
From left to right: Gerardo Gamez, Melis Kocak, Mary Kate Donais
Wednesday first-place winner: Emily Schorr, University of Arizona
“Chemical Characterization of Pressed Pellets Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy” (co-authors Zach Yang, Tyler Wilson, Joseph Lee, David Hahn, Daviel Diaz)
From left to right: Gerardo Gamez, Emily Schorr, Mary Kate Donais
Tuesday second-place winner: Melody Oakes, Saint Anselm College "Handheld X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry Analysis of Pigments in the Alva de Mars Chapel Arts Center Ceiling Murals” (co-authors Melis Kocak, Mary Kate Donais) (not pictured; Melody Oakes had to leave conference before award ceremony)
