Chemistry Graduate Students Association (CGSA)

Who are we?

The Chemistry Graduate Students Association (CGSA) is an active student run organization at the University of Louisville. Our main focus is to facilitate a culture of community and comradery for all chemistry graduate students. We plan several fun and engaging events throughout the year to promote this. The CGSA exists to bring people together; whether it’s through hosting the Welcome Picnic for new students, giving out holiday gifts, or inviting guest speakers to the department.

Who can join?

Every student admitted into the chemistry graduate program is automatically a member of the CGSA!

Our mission

It is our mission to ensure that every University of Louisville Chemistry graduate student has a positive, rewarding, and enjoyable graduate school experience.

Our proudest achievement-The Derby Lecture Series

Since 1978, graduate students at the University of Louisville have hosted numerous Nobel Laureates as the Derby Lecturer for the Derby Lecture Series. We consider this event to be our proudest achievement, and it is our honor to continue this long-standing annual tradition. The Derby Lecture Series is among the most unique university events organized by graduate students. It is planned around our city’s biggest day, the Kentucky Derby at the world-famous Churchill Downs, which is just five minutes from our department!

The Derby Lecture series includes several events for the chemistry department including meet and greet lunches with the speaker, a formal dinner, and a picnic. The Derby Lecturer presents two lectures, one related to their research work and another general audience lecture that is broader in scope to help bridge the gap between academia and our community.  These lectures are held at the university’s planetarium. The lecture series would not be complete without the once-in-a-lifetime experience of attending the Kentucky Derby. Member of the CGSA escort the distinguished guest to Churchill Downs, fancy hats and all.

Prospective Student?

We’d love to meet you! If you have any questions about our department, living in the great city of Louisville, or graduate school in general, we’d be happy to help! Please reach out to any of the officers of the CGSA. (Emails below)

Officers

The CGSA Officers are elected each fall and have the responsibility of organizing events for students, fundraising, and acting as a liaison to the University Graduate Student Council.

Faculty Advisor

2023-2024 Officers

	Amandeep Kaur CGSA President Wilson Research Group amandeep.kaur@louisville.edu Amandeep serves as President of the Chemistry Graduate Student Association (CGSA) 2024-2025. She did her Masters  in Chemistry from Guru Nanak Dev University, Punjab, India. Afterwards she joined UofL in Spring 2023 as Ph.D. scholar and currently she is working on the detection of intermediates and products in electrocatalytic CO2 reduction  in the Wilson lab.
	Joey Quilliam CGSA Vice-President Thompson Research Group michael.quilliam@louisville.edu Joey serves as vice-president of the Chemistry Graduate Student Association ( CGSA) 2024-2025. He received his undergraduate degree from Murray State University, where he majored in Chemistry. In January 2024, he started the graduate program at the University of Louisville, where he is now focusing on Physical Chemistry. In his free time, Joey enjoys playing rugby, reading,  and running.
	Bhavi Shah CGSA Treasurer Buchanan Research Group (Chemistry) and Spurgeon Research Group (Conn Center) bhavi.shah@louisville.edu Bhavi serves as Secretary of the Chemistry Graduate Student Association( CGSA) 2024-2025. She earned her undergraduate degree in Chemistry from PDPU in India before joining UofL in the fall of 2023. Now a 2nd-year PhD student in the Chemistry Department, she works with Dr. Buchanan and Dr. Spurgeon at the Conn Center. Her research focuses on fundamental interfacial phenomena during the integrated capture and conversion of CO2. In her free time, she likes to draw, listen to music, hike, or simply sleep.
	Fredrick Lisili Mufoyongo CGSA Secretary Zamborini Research Group fredrick.mufoyongo@louisville.edu Fredrick, a Ph.D. student in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Louisville, serves as the Treasurer of the CGSA. With a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Nairobi, he combines his chemistry and financial management expertise.  As Treasurer, Fredrick oversees the association's finances, ensuring transparency and effective use of resources. He aims to strengthen the association's economic stability, supporting continued opportunities for the chemistry graduate community.

2022 Derby Lecture Photos

Nobel Laureate Prof. M. Staley Wittingham