Monday, Oct. 1 from 6 to 7 p.m., the Bowers Writers House and associate professor of chemistry Dr. James MacKay extended an invitation to all interested to attend a lecture about his work during his time on sabbatical.
His presentation, titled “From the Classroom to the Laboratory and Back: A Glimpse into the Importance of Ribonucleic Acids,” took the audience into MacKay’s project at Binghamton University, where he explored a project aimed at the molecular recognition of ribonucleic acid (RNA) to learn more about this intriguing biomolecule.
MacKay began teaching and conducting research at Elizabethtown College in 2007. As an associate professor of chemistry, MacKay teaches organic chemistry classes and has directed independent research for intended chemistry and biochemistry majors.
The approach of MacKay’s presentation was to address the general audience on the importance of studying RNA from the perspective of a chemist. He did not want it to be too science heavy regarding terms and vocabulary.
He started out by telling the audience what made him choose his career path and the components of his job consisting of teaching and research. To MacKay, teaching is sharing his passion for science with the students he mentors and instructs and learning every day through research.
His main reasons for conducting research are to value the idea of exploring new things, having the gratification of discovering new things, aiding in career decisions and showing the importance of teamwork and communication. MacKay’s passion for his career was evident when he was explaining how important RNA is for people across different disciplines.
Even though we all know what deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is, we cannot ignore RNA and its greater role in life processes. RNA has been discussed in relation to DNA as a passive messenger in the transcription of DNA or our genes into proteins, which comprise most of the structure in our bodies.
“What I want the students to take away from the presentation is the importance of the RNA in biology and in research. Also, to be able to show the way that interests can spark to a long happy career,” MacKay said.
The ultimate goal behind all the research, according to MacKay, was “to be able to recognize the sequence of RNA which would therefore make advances in biotechnology.”
Students in attendance reflected on what they thought of the talk.
“I think it was interesting and informative,” sophomore Veronica Ruiz said. “As a biology pre-medical major, it was very interesting to hear more about how interdisciplinary the field of chemistry truly is.”
“I think the presentation was interesting because it showed the way that if you embrace your interests that you are passionate about, it can lead you towards your career and future goals,” sophomore Brittney Jarvis said.
“Though it was a lot of information to take in for a presentation dealing in the field, it made it so enlightening to understand the importance of RNA,” sophomore Hope Nibert stated.
