Sophomore biochemistry major Jessie Penich had the following to say about his research:

“My research focused on the use of semiconductor photocatalysis to increase the rate of iron oxidation in a wetland treatment system, which St. Vincent College uses to filter out abandoned mine drainage from local streams. In wetland treatment systems, such as those located on campus, water containing aqueous iron (II) is allowed to sit until the iron oxidizes to solid iron (III). The iron (III) sinks to the bottom and the clean water is allowed to flow back into the stream. Under the direction of Dr. Steven Gravelle, associate professor of chemistry, I attempted to use photocatalysis to oxidize samples of iron (II) to iron (III). The results suggested that photocatalysis could not effectively increase the oxidation rate of iron, and further experiments should be performed in which several of the reaction conditions are altered. With the gracious help of an A.J. Palumbo Student Research Grant, I was able to present my findings at the Twentieth National Conference on Undergraduate Research, which was held from April 5-8 at the University of North Carolina, Asheville.”