Shenandoah University Biology Student Presents Research At Pittcon
Sophia Menyhart ’26 also earned a research award from the Virginia Section of the American Chemical Society
Recent Shenandoah University biology graduate Sophia Menyhart ’26 recently had the opportunity to present her research at one of the premier conferences and expositions for laboratory science.
Joined by Professor of Chemistry Diep Ca, Ph.D., Menyhart traveled to San Antonio, Texas, in early March for Pittcon, the world’s largest international analytical spectroscopy conference. There, she presented two original research projects in chemistry and biology: “Removal of Metals from Cacao Powder” and “Investigating the Impact of Abrams Creek Pollutants on Pimephales Promelas Through Analysis of Toxicant-Responsive Gene Expression.”
“I truly enjoyed working alongside Sophia because she’s not only an excellent student but also a great lab partner and travel companion,” Dr. Ca said. “We worked hard and had fun together.”
Throughout the conference, which took place March 7-11, Menyhart interacted with fellow students and scientists and learned about modern techniques and emerging technology in the field. On March 8, Menyhart and Dr. Ca attended the Wallace H. Coulter Lecture – Pittcon’s keynote presentation – titled “Innovation by Evolution: Bringing New Chemistry to Life,” by chemical engineer and Nobel Laureate Frances H. Arnold, Ph.D., with whom Menyhart had the opportunity to meet following Dr. Arnold’s presentation.
Menyhart also explored Pittcon’s expo floor, visiting various chemistry and instrumentation booths, and attended numerous oral and poster presentations. Menyhart’s attendance at the 2026 Pittcon was made possible by Shenandoah University’s Faculty-Student Collaborative Faculty Development Grant and a College of Arts and Sciences Fund for Excellent request.
“Traveling to San Antonio to attend and present at the Pittcon conference was expensive, and Sophia and I are grateful to SU and the College of Arts and Sciences for supporting us and making this opportunity possible,” Ca said.
On April 10, Menyhart presented her research – and won the Outstanding Research Senior award – at the Virginia Section of the American Chemical Society’s Undergraduate Research Poster Session and Outstanding Undergraduate in Chemistry Awards Ceremony at the University of Virginia.
Menyhart also received two research awards – a Biology Research Award and a Chemistry Research Award – from Shenandoah’s College of Arts and Sciences during its awards ceremony on May 8.
“I am confident Sophia will succeed in her chosen endeavor,” Ca said.
