“I am grateful to the WIC+ Travel Grant for supporting my attendance at the ACS Spring 2026 Conference in Atlanta, GA. This was an incredibly meaningful experience that pushed me both professionally and personally. I presented an oral talk, in which I shared our recent work analyzing where and why current computer-aided retrosynthesis models fail to reproduce literature-reported route. The presentation went wonderfully, and I received thoughtful and constructive feedback from researchers in both academia and industry, which gave me new angles to consider as I move forward with my research. Engaging directly with experts who asked probing questions about our methodology and findings was both exciting and affirming.
Beyond my own talk, one of the most inspiring aspects of the conference was witnessing firsthand the passion and momentum behind the field I am working in. I had the privilege of hearing pioneers of AI for chemistry share not just their latest results, but their broader vision for where the field is heading, the kinds of candid, forward-looking perspectives. Sitting in those talks, I found myself scribbling notes not only on the science but on the way these researchers framed open problems and articulated what remains unsolved. I was also struck by the growing presence of startups and industry players at the conference, many of whom are actively deploying the types of retrosynthesis and reaction prediction models that my research aims to improve. Generally, it is always great seeing the collective energy of the conference, the curiosity, the ambition, and the genuine excitement people had for their work.
As someone who is still developing expertise in this field, immersing myself in the broader research community at ACS was invaluable in ways that go beyond any single conversation or talk. I left Atlanta with sharper scientific instincts, a stronger network, and a renewed sense of purpose in my PhD work. Once again, I am sincerely thankful to the WIC+ program for making this experience possible, and I encourage other students in the department to apply.”