Dr. Cheri Barta Rossi, undergraduate research coordinator, received a College of Letters & Science Early-Career Award from the UW-Madison. The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding performance in their position, show substantial promise of future contributions, and demonstrate a high degree of professionalism. Rossi joined the Department of Chemistry in 2010 and has made vital contributions to teaching and outreach efforts. Her work has led to an increase in enrollment for the undergraduate research course, and more undergraduate students are choosing to start research earlier on in their academic careers.
Rossi is also involved in organizing and obtaining funding for the Chemistry Opportunities (CHOPs) program, an outreach program that invites highly qualified and diverse undergraduate students to preview the chemistry graduate program at UW-Madison. She also works closely with Dr. Desiree Bates, computational chemistry leader, to organize the Partners for Graduate School Experience in Chemistry (PGSEC) program, which aims to inspire students who normally would not consider graduate school as an option for their career paths. Both the CHOPs and PGSEC programs have been well received by participating students.