Sebastian Resident Honored for Chemistry Excellence

MELBOURNE, FLA.—At the university’s recent Spring Honors Convocation, Julie Gama, of Sebastian, Fla., earned a Florida Institute of Technology Dr. J. Clayton Baum Chemistry Award. Named for a current Florida Tech professor, the award recognizes outstanding junior chemistry majors based on academic and research achievements.

Gama is a premedical chemistry major who intends to obtain a graduate degree and enter the field of education after completing her bachelor’s degree. She is using laser spectroscopy in her research on the florescence characteristics of betaxanthins. These compounds are responsible for fluorescence in the flowers and roots of certain plants.

Gama is also an orientation assistant team leader, with a focus on programming the orientations for entering Florida Tech students. She is also a department representative to the College of Science Student Advisory Committee.

The Dr. J. Clayton Baum Chemistry Award was established by friends, students and colleagues of Baum in recognition of his continuing dedication, devotion and service to Florida Tech and the Department of Chemistry. Baum has been with the university since 1979.