Ashley Figueiredo, a 2008 Sweet Briar graduate, represented the Lanthanum chapter of Iota Sigma Pi at the society’s 29th triennial convention held June 26-29 at the Marriott River Center Hotel in Covington, Ky.

Lanthanum is the Lynchburg-area chapter of ISP, a national honor society for women in chemistry. The local group has about 20 faculty and student members from Sweet Briar, Randolph and Lynchburg colleges. New students are initiated each fall.

Figueiredo, who earned her bachelor’s in biochemistry and is a graduate student at Penn State, was nominated by Lanthanum’s officers to be the group’s delegate at the conference. About 40 women chemists attended, representing chapters from around the country. Delegates meet every three years to discuss the future direction of the society, plan activities and elect new national officers.

The society’s national mission is to promote interest in chemistry among women students; to foster mutual advancement in academic, business and social life; and to stimulate personal accomplishment in chemical fields.

The Lanthanum chapter turned 10 years old in May, and will celebrate the milestone during its fall 2008 initiation. The local group creates a community of colleagues – women chemists from all walks of life and areas of specialization – and provides for the recognition and encouragement of girls and women in science, said Jill Granger, a Lanthanum member and professor of chemistry at Sweet Briar.