Established in memory of Stacey Palasek, a research chemist with CEM Corporation, this $5,000 scholarship is offered annually to a deserving female high school senior from Mecklenburg or Union counties, who plans to major in the sciences.


About Stacey Palasek
Those fortunate enough to have known Stacey Palasek would describe her as both a brilliant scientist and a caring friend. Born in Jamestown, New York, Stacey graduated from the University of Richmond with Biology and Chemistry degrees. In 2003, she graduated from the University of Georgia with a Master's in Analytical Chemistry. In graduate school, she specialized in proteomics and mass spectrometry and then worked in solid-phase peptide synthesis. She was a very gifted chemist who gained the respect of her co-workers. Stacey was also an avid sports fan and her favorite teams were the Boston Red Sox and the Buffalo Sabers, of whom she knew every detail. She was fond of animals, particularly her two cats, and volunteered at the humane society.

Stacey passed away in 2006, but her legacy will not be forgotten. In a short time, she created many strong friendships because of her caring and energetic nature. Her friends and colleagues will miss her deeply. Stacey’s wish was that more women would pursue careers in science, and this scholarship has been created to help fulfill that wish by assisting women who display the desire and passion that Stacey showed, not only in science, but also in life.


Nomination Criteria Includes the Following: (For a complete listing of selection criteria, please download the scholarship application.)

• Applicant must be a female high school senior
• Currently enrolled at a Mecklenburg or Union County school
• Applicant must plan to enroll in an accredited two-year or four-year college or university in the United States the fall following graduation
• Plan to study in on of the following fields
• Geoscience
• Biology
• Chemistry
• PhysicsEngineering

Download Application

Nominations for the 2010 Stacey Palasek Memorial Scholarship are now closed. The winner will be announced in May.



For more information, please contact: Grace Vanier, PhD., Chair
CEM Grant & Awards Committee
(800) 726-3331