TYLER, Texas — The Tyler Junior College Department of Chemistry is excited to host free events during National Chemistry Week.
This is part of their annual public awareness campaign that promotes how chemistry can be evolved into everyday life.
The theme for this year is "The Healing Power of Chemistry" which centers around the formulation of medication, how it affects our bodies when we get sick and the development of vaccinations.
It also recognizes the advancements medical professionals and scientists have derived inspiration from ancient peoples' habits and animals in the wild.
Tyler Junior College will be hosting two events with guest speakers next week. Both of the events will be free and are sponsored by the East Texas Local Section of the American Chemical Society.
The following events will be happening:
'Advancing Recycling Applications Around the World'
This event is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Oct. 17 from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 200 in the Genecov Science Building at the TJC central campus.
Guest speaker Shelby Browning currently works as a chemical engineer for Eastman Chemical Company in Longview and serves as a vice president of the NGO Empowered Solutions for Environmental Sustainability.
The non-profit aims to combat plastic accumulation seen globally by empowering rising entrepreneurs to replace plastic trash to fuel oil.
Browning holds a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from University of Kentucky and a Master of Arts in applied environmental and sustainability studies.
'Health Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet'
This event is scheduled to begin on Thursday, Oct. 19 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the apache rooms located in the Roger Student Center at the TJC central campus.
Guest speaker Dr. Katie Root will be talking over the health benefits a plant-based diet has on individuals. Some of the benefits include lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer.
In addition, Root will speak on the impacts gut microbiota and certain dietary intakes are implemented through a plant-based diet.
An Tyler native, Root received her Bachelor of Science degree in forensic science from Baylor University and began working in biomedical research at UT Health Science after graduation.