Summer – Page 2 – The Gatton Academy News

Summer 5Q: Sibi Rajendran spends summer at University of Kentucky’s Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center

July 13, 2012 | 5Q, Research, Summer, Uncategorized | No Comments

Since 2010, the Gatton Academy has offered students the ability to pursue summer research experiences through the Gatton Research Internships Grants (RIG) program. Made possible through the generous support of Mr. Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton, the program offers competitive grants to Gatton Academy students between their junior and senior years to support summertime research internships across the Commonwealth and the world. By providing a funding mechanism, the program directly creates new avenues for growth and exploration. This summer we are catching up with the 12 recipients of this year’s grants to hear their insights on research and education at the Academy.

Rising senior Sibi Rajendran of Frankfort is spending this summer at the University of Kentucky’s Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center working with Dr. James Geddes. Sibi is contributing research to studies being done to determine the involvement of calpain 7 in cell death following elevations in intracellular calcium.

1. What does research mean to you as a young person interested in STEM?

Research in my opinion is a pivotal component in education. We accumulate mountains of knowledge during lectures and seminars, but without the practical understanding of doing hands on research, the message relayed during lectures is only partially received. As a young person interested in the STEM field, doing research in a subject that I love makes me feel whole or complete, finishing the puzzle that ordinary education leaves behind.

2. What is the part of the summer experience you are enjoying most?

I am most enjoying the hands-on experience of my research laboratory that I would not normally receive in high school or even undergraduate courses. Working with cutting edge research equipment in a high-tech laboratory is something that I honestly did not picture myself doing at such a young age, and this general laboratory environment is by far the most enjoyable part of my summer experience.

3. How does this research experience or internship fit into your educational and professional goals?

As a student looking forward to a career in the health field, there is no better way to start research than in the field of neurobiology and medicine. Research experiences like the one I am currently involved in will guide me closer to my career path and strengthen my applications to various educational opportunities and into a profession that I am closely looking forward to joining.

4. What are you looking forward to the most about your second year at the Academy?

While there are a thousand different reasons as to why I am looking forward to my second year at the Gatton Academy, the one that sums all of them up is because of the infinite opportunities that I have as an academy student. The opportunities like study abroad, research, tutoring, volunteering, and learning allow me to do things that a normal high school student could not even dream of.

5. How does the Gatton Academy help Kentucky from your point of view?

In a state where education is not nationally recognized, I feel that the Gatton Academy is working miracles by promoting high levels of learning and encouragement for education that is not usually present in the traditional educational system. The early drive for success is pushing more and more students to apply, causing students to develop high levels of education at a younger age.

By Gatton Academy

Summer 5Q: Matthew Gonzalez’s Chemistry Research has Future Pharmaceutical Tie-in.

July 10, 2012 | 5Q, Research, Summer, Uncategorized | No Comments

Since 2010, the Gatton Academy has offered students the ability to pursue summer research experiences through the Gatton Research Internships Grants (RIG) program. Made possible through the generous support of Mr. Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton, the program offers competitive grants to Gatton Academy students between their junior and senior years to support summertime research internships across the Commonwealth and the world. By providing a funding mechanism, the program directly creates new avenues for growth and exploration. Throughout the summer, we’re sharing insights from students who are the recipients of our 2012 grants. Matthew Gonzalez is the third spotlight in this summer’s series.

Matthew Gonzalez of Brodhead is continuing research this summer with Dr. Rajalingam Dakshinamurthy of the WKU Department of Chemistry. Matt is studying the interaction of Fibroblast Growth Factors with the drug myo-Inositol. Earlier this summer, we caught up with Matt on summer research and his thoughts on the Gatton Academy.

1. Will you be using your summer research as a launching point for any applications, competitions, or scholarships?

My research experience will definitely help me with future goals. I plan on using my research to enter into competitions, apply for scholarships, and attend research conferences to increase my experience. The Research Internship Grant has facilitated my research to an extent that wouldn’t have been possible if I was only performing research during the fall and spring semesters.

2. What do you aspire to achieve in the next ten years?

In the next ten years I can see myself completing medical school and finally having a real job. I aspire to be an MD for many different reasons but the Academy has put me on an express lane to help me get there.

3. What are you looking forward to the most about your second year at the Academy?

During my second year at the Academy I can’t wait to be back with my friends. It’s odd to go from having your friends next door and seeing them every few hours to having almost no contact with them at all. I just can’t wait to get back and be with the lifelong friends that I’ve made.

4. What do you love most about the Gatton Academy?

The atmosphere is something unique to the Academy. I don’t think you could find our lifestyle anywhere else in the country. While it’s difficult to explain such a special thing I think it is my favorite part of Gatton.

5. How did you feel on your first day at the Gatton Academy? Now?

Scared is an understatement when I talk about my first day at the Academy. After a little while it felt like an extended camp. I was making all the friends I would normally and then classes came and I realized this was now my life. When I think about the Academy now, I think of home. It’s where I live and where I belong at this point in my life.

By Gatton Academy

Summer 5Q: Leah Cannady Studies Geothermal and Solar Systems at Ft. Knox

July 9, 2012 | 5Q, Research, Summer, Uncategorized | No Comments

Since 2010, the Gatton Academy has offered students the ability to pursue summer research experiences through the Gatton Research Internships Grants (RIG) program. Made possible through the generous support of Mr. Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton, the program offers competitive grants to Gatton Academy students between their junior and senior years to support summertime research internships across the Commonwealth and the world. By providing a funding mechanism, the program directly creates new avenues for growth and exploration. This is the second installment in this summer’s series where we share insights from students who are the recipients of our 2012 grants.

Leah Cannady of Brandenburg is spending her summer studying the efficiency of Geothermal Systems and Solar Panels across regions of the country. Her research is being conducted at the US Army Corps of Engineers at Ft. Knox under the guidance of engineer Thomas McQuary. We had a chance to catch up with Leah earlier this summer.

1. How does this research experience or internship fit into your educational and professional goals?

Spending my summer at the Corp of Engineers in Fort Knox, Kentucky has opened my eyes to a new field of study and expanded my interest in engineering as a career.

2. What is the part of the summer experience you are enjoying most?

The most enjoyable aspect of my research experience this summer has been meeting so many new people and making new connections with important people in the engineering field that can help me down the road. With jobs becoming so competitive, it’s important to have useful contacts in the field and I have made many of those this summer.

3. What has been the biggest change you have experienced in your first year at the Gatton Academy?

During my first year at Gatton, my biggest change has been self-reliance. I am now more self-sufficient and am capable of making important decisions and accomplishing tasks on my own.

4. How does the Gatton Academy help Kentucky from your point of view?

The Gatton Academy gives us as students the privilege of studying such a rigorous curriculum at such a young age at no cost, therefore making students want to give back—whether it’s financially or through service, benefitting Kentucky in the long run.

5. What did you learn on your first day at the Academy that a new student should look out for?

On my first day at the Academy, I was terrified and knew no one. Now, I consider it my home and have met so many great people that I know will be life-long friends.

By Gatton Academy

Summer 5Q: David Brown continues research in WKU’s Department of Chemistry

July 2, 2012 | 5Q, People, Research, Summer | No Comments

Since 2010, the Gatton Academy has offered students the ability to pursue summer research experiences through the Gatton Research Internships Grants (RIG) program. Made possible through the generous support of Mr. Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton, the program offers competitive grants to Gatton Academy students between their junior and senior years to support summertime research internships across the Commonwealth and the world. By providing a funding mechanism, the program directly creates new avenues for growth and exploration. Throughout the summer, we’ll share insights from students who are the recipients of our 2012 grants.

Rising senior David Brown is spending his summer at WKU working in the Department of Chemistry under the mentorship of Dr. Hemali Rathnayake. He is working on creating Novel Π-Conjugated Organic Macromolecules for use in electronic devices—particularly solar cells.

1. What does research mean to you as a young person interested in STEM?

Research means that I get to do what no one has ever done before and to improve upon the enormous accomplishments of those who have gone before me. It is the chance to gain new knowledge, ideas, and to hopefully make a positive contribution to the world. As a senior in high school, that is certainly an exciting way to spend my summer.

2. Will you be using this research experience as a launching point for any particular applications, competitions, or scholarships?

I plan to use my research to compete in the Intel Science Talent Search as well as the Siemens Competition. However, I am particularly interested in pursuing the Goldwater Scholarship. My current research should go a long way in helping me to be very competitive in these contests.

3. What do you love most about the Gatton Academy?

My favorite part about the Academy has to be the general acceptance and tolerance we all have. There are students from all different socio-economic backgrounds, Democrats and Republicans, deeply religious and those who claim no beliefs, and yet we still go out and play Frisbee together or ask each other for help on difficult assignments. Don’t get me wrong, we still argue and have our disagreements, but there is a sense of community here that is hard to find elsewhere.

4. What did you learn in your first year at the Academy that you think first-year students should know?

I felt somewhat overwhelmed my first day at the Academy. I wasn’t sure what to expect and was a little scared of the idea of attending college two years early, leaving friends, and sacrificing many opportunities at home. I still miss my friends very much and I am frightened when test day rolls around, but I know what to expect and feel even more determined to show the world what I can do.

5. What are you looking forward to the most about your second year at the Academy?

In my second year at the Academy, I am looking forward to delving even deeper into my own personal interests. I completed most of my graduation requirements last year, meaning I get even more freedom in my class selections over the coming year. I will certainly be taking plenty of Chemistry, but there are a few other fields I would like to try my hand at as well.

By Gatton Academy

Gatton Academy Students Contribute to Global STEM Discussions through Summer Experiences

June 15, 2012 | Academics, Alumni, News, People, Research, Students, Summer, WKU | No Comments

[fblike]

Educational opportunities for students at the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky do not stop when classes let out for the summer. Two-thirds of recent graduates and students returning for the fall semester will participate in some form of learning through the school’s summer research and internship program.

Highlights of the summer 2012 program include seven participants in Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs, 35 students studying abroad focusing on research and culture, and unique public and private industry partnerships via ten-week research internships in some of the nation’s most premier programs.

The Gatton Academy’s program begins in late November each preceding year with faculty and staff members promoting summer programs. Students prepare applications as early as the winter break for some of the most competitive STEM-based summer programs available not only to high school students, but undergraduates as well.

Derick Strode, assistant director for academic services at the Gatton Academy, coordinates the school’s research and internship programs. He explained the variety and depth of these experiences distinguish these students from their peers at both the high school and undergraduate level.

“This summer, our students are pursuing answers to research questions across STEM fields,” Strode said. “They are active participants in cultures on four continents. They are in their own hometowns shadowing the doctors and engineers they looked up to as children. Our summer program encourages students to follow their passions for science, math, and learning, and get a taste of what it means to be a contributing citizen and professional in the broad STEM community.”

One such student is Lydia Brothers, a class of 2012 graduate from Madisonville. Brothers is interning at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, this summer in missions operations. She will focus on crew operations and training for the International Space Station (ISS).

“I’m working with the people who create the procedures that the astronauts actually execute,” Brothers explained. “We ultimately use the procedures to train the astronauts to carry out tasks and experiments while they are on mission.”

Brothers’ internship at NASA is combines features of her coursework at the Gatton Academy in engineering, physics, and computer science.

“In my work, not only do you have to have a good understanding of how all the machinery works but also provide the information in the same format that an astronaut sees it in, which is computer programming,” Brothers said.

Brothers’ first experience at the Marshall Space Flight Center came as a middle school student when she went to space camp.

“I would have never thought that sitting around learning about the ISS that one day I would be working with people on a daily basis who help run it,” she said. “It’s like a dream come true.”

Strode noted that the success in students’ summer exploits can be drawn directly back to the preparation students receive at WKU.

“Lydia is a perfect example of a student who embraced the rich research opportunities available at WKU and applied hard work to her passions,” Strode said.

Brothers participated in research during the entirety of her two years at the Gatton Academy with WKU’s Department of Physics and Astronomy under the mentorship of Drs. Louis Strolger and Edward Kintzel. Additionally, she interned in summer 2011 at the University of Tennessee’s Space Institute. Her research for that experience was recognized by the Siemens Competition.

“Many of the summer research programs that our students apply to accept only five to ten percent of their total applicants,” Strode said. “In such competitive programs, the Gatton Academy students compete so well for coveted spots because they engage in research that goes far above and beyond their coursework.”

91% of the students who graduated in the Gatton Academy’s class of 2012 had participated in a mentored research project while studying at the school—almost entirely under the tutelage of a WKU faculty member.

“These are students that love to learn. Whether it’s the middle of the semester or the middle of summer, these are curious students,” Strode said.

Contact: Derick Strode, (270) 745-6565.

A full listing of Gatton Academy students’ summer plans are listed after the jump.

(more…)

By Corey Alderdice

Final Recommendations from Keystone National Youth Policy Summit Released

September 22, 2011 | Academics, News, People, Research, Students, Summer | No Comments

[fblike style=”standard” showfaces=”false” width=”450″ verb=”like” font=”arial”]This summer three Gatton Academy students were given the opportunity to attend and participate in the 2011 National Youth Policy Summit.

Seniors Rachel Metcalfe, Samantha McKean, and Melanie Hurst spent one week in Keystone, Colorado where McKean says they “worked together to create a blueprint for a solution to the current energy crisis.”

Today, The Keystone Center released the Final Student Policy Recommendations. Learn more about their thoughts on national energy innovation in the embedded document below.

By Corey Alderdice

Security Language Initiative Leads Charlotte Humes to Morocco for Summer Study in Arabic

September 12, 2011 | International, News, People, Student Success, Students, Summer, WKU | No Comments

Charlotte Humes, a Gatton Academy senior from Bardstown, chose to spend her summer this year than many of her high school peers.

Earlier this year, she applied for and was awarded a National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Scholarship sponsored by the U.S. Department of State for the study of a critical language in a foreign country. These merit-based scholarships are for high school students studying less commonly taught languages.

Although the Gatton Academy curriculum places and emphasis on math and science, Humes began to cultivate an interest in language when she took a course in Arabic during the spring semester at WKU. TheDepartment of Modern Languagesat WKU offers two years of Arabic courses. Courses are taught by Khaldoun Almousily, a native of Jordan, and a new Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant each year, giving students exposure to different dialects and the opportunity to delve deeper into cultural differences.

“The program is very dedicated to broadening the global perspective of students they send,” Humes said.

Humes’ Arabic studies took her 4,353 miles from Kentucky to Rabat, Morocco. Aong with 12 other students from across the nation, Humes spent six weeks immersed in the language and culture of the country under the instruction of fluent Arabic speaker John Weinert of Rochester, NY, and teacher Emily Lauer of Denver, CO.

Humes explained that living with a host family was a critical component of the program. Program participants had the opportunity to experience authentic dinners, weddings, and everyday life. “One of the most influential experiences overall was staying with the host family,” she said. “It made me appreciate and practice the language a lot more than I would’ve had I just stayed in a hotel. I was immersed in the culture, which was great!

The group’s studies in Morocco consisted of language study five days each week with the rest of her time spent just experiencing the everyday culture. Her host family took the students on day trips to the countryside, which she thought was one of the most beautiful places in Morocco. Other weekend trips led the students to cities like Fez, Ifriane, and Chefchaouene all over the country. She was also given the freedom to explore the city and venture out to the beach with her roommates.

Humes’ work in Arabic at Western Kentucky University gave her an edge over many of her peers in the program. Of the students in the NSLI-Y program, skill levels ranged from not knowing the alphabet to high proficiency. Humes was surprised when the mother of her host family began speaking French when she arrived. She quickly learned that French was also a prominent language in the country.

Of the many experiences throughout the trip, Humes explained that the interactions with the various Moroccans she met were the most enjoyable. “Although there was the language barrier, most of the students there know at least some English,” Humes said. “between the two languages we were able to communicate.”

Not surprisingly, Humes said her least favorite part was leaving. After recounting her amazing experience, she said that she would definitely recommend the program to other students, and would repeat it herself if given the chance.

For more information, contact Corey Alderdice at (270) 705-3632.

Academy Avatar Rachel Metcalfe also contributed to this story.

[fblike style=”standard” showfaces=”false” width=”450″ verb=”like” font=”arial”]

By Gatton Academy

To Boldly Go… Abroad! Gatton Academy Announces International Experiences for 2011-12

September 8, 2011 | Academics, International, News, Summer | No Comments

[fblike style=”standard” showfaces=”false” width=”450″ verb=”like” font=”arial”]

Italy, Costa Rica, and England are the destinations for this year’s Gatton Academy international experiences. These experiences mark the fifth consecutive international travel/study series facilitated by the Gatton Academy. Each experience is described in brief below, with full details and applications found in the online brochures.

The Gatton Academy is also excited to announce a commitment of nearly $13,000 in scholarships for students who require additional financial assistance to travel and study abroad. Details on how to apply for international scholarships are listed below as well.

Italy

From January 4-16, 2012, up to thirty Gatton Academy students will explore the cities, culture, and history of Italy. Cities visited will include Venice, Rome, Florence, Assisi, Pompeii, Sorrento, Pisa, and Orvieto.

The cost for this year’s trip is priced at $2,250. (The overall program cost is estimated at $3,525 with the Gatton Academy supplementing $1,275 of the total cost through dedicated Winter Term funding.) This includes roundtrip airfare from Nashville, hotel accommodations in all destinations, breakfast and dinner while in Europe, admission to most historic sites and museums, and travel by chartered motor coach or train for excursions.

Full information and an application are available in the online brochure.

Students must submit a complete application, a passport-sized photograph, and an $800 nonrefundable deposit no later than Monday, October 10 to Julie Fryia in the Gatton Academy office. The remaining nonrefundable $1450 will be due no later than Monday, November 28. Space is limited to 30 students. Should there be an excess of interest, priority will be given to seniors first and names randomly drawn thereafter. In that case, refunds will be distributed to those not attending. Students must be eligible to return to the Gatton Academy for the spring semester 2012 to travel with the Italy experience. Eligibility will be determined at the 11^th week assessment. Students deemed ineligible will forfeit their $800 initial deposit.

Costa Rica

From January 3-18, 2012, sixteen Gatton Academy students will earn upper-level Biology credit while studying and performing biodiversity research in Costa Rica. Sites visited will include Cloudbridge Nature Reserve in the cloud forest of southern Costa Rica’s mountains, Hacienda Barú on the Pacific jungle coast, a night in a jungle camp, Manuel Antonio National Park, Isla del Caño for snorkeling, the artisan town of Sarchí, and one of the world’s most active volcanos—Arenal.

The cost for the trip will be $800. (The overall program cost is $2075 with the Academy supplementing $1,275 of the total cost through dedicated Winter Term funding.) This includes roundtrip airfare from Louisville, accommodations in all destinations, an average of two daily meals, admission and fees for all items listed in the itinerary, travel by chartered motor coach, and tuition for Biology 485 — Costa Rican Biodiversity Studies and Research (3 hrs.).

Full information and an application are available in the online brochure .

The application deadline is September 16, 2011. Students must submit a complete application and a 250-word essay by the deadline to Julie Fryia in the Gatton Academy office. Space is limited to eight males and eight females who will be selected based off of essay responses. Equal representation of the junior and senior classes will be sought. Students will be selected on Monday, September 26. The $800 nonrefundable program fee is due no later than Monday, October 10. Students must be eligible for return to the Gatton Academy in the spring semester 2012 to travel to Costa Rica.

The Harlaxton Experience

Tentative dates of July 17 – August 7, 2012 have been set for Class of 2013 students to earn English 200—Honors Introduction to Literature credit while exploring the literature and culture of the United Kingdom. Through study, students will develop an appreciation for literary practices, theory, and concepts. Based at Harlaxton College’s beautiful manor house campus in Grantham, England, students will visit locations throughout the United Kingdom, such as Whitby for the “In Search of Dracula” ghost walk, Bath, Salisbury, Stonehenge, the Bronte Parsonage and moors in Haworth, York, the Lake District, and London (sites visited are subject to change).

The cost for the trip is being planned at $3900. (Students who participate in an unfunded Winter Term learning opportunity will carry forth $1275 of dedicated winter-term funding to apply to the cost of the program, effectively lowering the price to $2625.) This includes roundtrip airfare from the United States, accommodations in all destinations, about half of the meals while in England, admission and fees to activities, historic sites, and museums, travel by chartered motor coach or trains for excursions, and tuition for English 200 — Honors Introduction to Literature (3 hrs.).

Full information and an application are available in the online brochure.

Students must submit a complete application, passport-sized photograph, and a nonrefundable $800 deposit no later than Monday, October 10 to Julie Fryia in the Gatton Academy office. The next nonrefundable payment of $1,000 will be due no later than Monday, November 28, and the final nonrefundable payment of $825 will be due no later than Monday, March 12, 2012.

Students interested in The Harlaxton Experience are required as a pre-requisite to have passed English 100—Intro to College Writing or have credit for English 100 through an alternate path, such as CLEP credit or by scoring a 29 or higher on the English section of the ACT exam.

Students interested in The Harlaxton Experience should not enroll in English 200 for the fall or spring semesters. Students must be eligible for return to the Gatton Academy in the fall semester 2012 to travel with The Harlaxton Experience.

Scholarship Opportunities

The Academy will provide eight scholarships to students who require financial assistance. Two full scholarships will be provided for The Harlaxton Experience and two full scholarships will be provided for our Italy trip. Additionally, four $800 scholarships will be provided that can be used for any of the three trips. Students wishing to apply for one of our international scholarships must submit the following items via hard-copy to Derick Strode no later than Monday, September 26:

a copy of their parents’ 2011 tax return;
a parental statement of need, and;
a student statement, not to exceed 500 words, describing her or his reasons for wanting to travel abroad, which destination they are interested in traveling to, as well as the impact they expect going abroad will have on their overall Gatton Academy experience.

Student scholarship selection will occur on or before Monday, October 10. Students receiving a scholarship will be required to perform community service in consultation with a staff member.

By Gatton Academy

Eastes and Brothers Explore Materials Research, Grad School Options at UTSI

August 30, 2011 | Academics, News, People, Research, Students, Summer | No Comments

Lydia Brothers records notes from a heat experiment at UTSI.

by Michael Crocker, Academy Avatar

Two students at Western Kentucky University’s Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky spent time over the summer exploring materials science with advanced medical applications.

Andrea Eastes (’12) and Lydia Brothers (’12) served as student researchers at the University of Tennessee Space Institute doing focusing their explorations on determining the applications of ZBLAN glass in medical fields.

The University of Tennessee Space Institute is a graduate study and research institution with a campus located “practically in the woods” Eastes said. “It was really nice to be around nature all the time.”

Eastes was also glad she “was able to get a little perspective on what grad school is like.” Academy students were part of a seven-week program at the UTSI where they worked alongside graduate and undergraduate students to characterize a particular type of glass ceramic, explained Brothers.

ZBLAN glass, or glass made of Zirconium, Barium, Lanthanum, Aluminum, and Sodium, was the topic of research “because it has capabilities of a storage phosphor which we were working with so that it could be used as an alternative to typical x-ray films,” added Eastes. She went on to explain that this allows the x-ray result to be stored digitally and removes the inconvenience of one-time-use x-ray films.

The research team, which included Eastes, Brothers, and several undergraduate and graduate students, worked with two types of the glass. According to Brothers, they worked to “evaluate how much light would be emitted from each particular sample at a number of different temperatures and percentages of a variable element.”

As well as the research that was done on the trip, Eastes also “really enjoyed getting to meet all the amazing people” on the campus, and she got to do everything from “singing like crazy people on karaoke night” to “canoeing and kayaking.”

Brothers enjoyed the experience as well and said she even got to “sit in on someone’s doctoral defense.”

Eastes says she learned the most about “the physics that is involved with something as simple as glass.” She also found that being able to work with such a variety of machines and being able to decipher the readings a great learning experience.

Both Brothers and Eastes enjoyed learning more about what graduate work will be like and getting to meet and become friends with other people interested in their fields.

By Corey Alderdice

Shelley, Crocker Pursue Chemical Research in Taiwan

August 29, 2011 | News, People, Research, Students, Summer, WKU | No Comments

Participants in the Taiwan research program spend some time outside of the lab.

by Andrea Eastes, Academy Avatar

For many Gatton Academy students, the previous summer was a global experience. With programs in China and the United Kingdom, students engaged other cultures as a group. Other students pursued their own paths in additional locations around the globe.

Seniors Ellis Shelley and Michael Crocker added Taiwan to the long list of places visited. During their time there, both were involved in chemistry research for ten weeks. The program was organized by Dr. Eric Conte of the Department of Chemistry at Western Kentucky University.

The program was part of a NSF International Research Experiences for Scientists program at the National Chung Hsing University in Taichung, Taiwan. This program, on the same level as an REU, offers students fully paid travel to Taiwan, food, lodging, and a stipend.

Michael Crocker was involved with research on synthesizing a polymer that can form a honey-comb shaped membrane on a substance then try to coat silica gel particles with that membrane. Coating the silica gel was in effort to modify the end group from OH to C18. Changing these properties enabled his group to attempt to purify phenol and bisphenol from water.

During his time in Taiwan, Crocker worked with another WKU student, Helen Thompson, and many Taiwanese Master’s and Ph. D. students under the same professor.

Shelley participated in a different research project. His work entailed optimizing protein purification methods using IMAM (Ionized Metal Affinity Membranes). Dr. Suen, the head of the Chemical Engineering Department was the main person Shelley worked with during his time overseas.

Research wasn’t the only thing that Michael and Ellis did while they were in Taiwan though. Crocker explained the pair also had the chance to visit locations throughout the country. “We were able to travel all through Taiwan from the large cities like Taipei to mountain hiking in eastern Taiwan.”

Ellis also added that his favorite part of the trip “was the friendships I made while there and the opportunity to experience a culture so much different from my own.”

Taiwan not only exposed the students to a different culture, but to how having a job in the field would be like. Shelley explains that it was as if he had “lived the life of a chemical engineering graduate for two months.”

Both were able to gain experience in the lab and work with equipment such as a SEM (scanning electron microscope) and IR. Crocker also said that doing original research at a very prestigious institution with students working toward their masters and Ph. D. degrees was very rewarding. Shelley also found the program quite rewarding, in fact, he and his two partners plan to publish their research later this year!

Crocker summed up the experience in an appreciate for learning more about diverse cultures. ’’I really enjoyed Taiwan. It was very different from the United States, and all of the differences were very eye opening for me,” he said.

The students found the trip not only to be an amazing research experience, but also a chance to learn about and become immersed in another culture as well as learn about graduate lifestyle.

By Corey Alderdice

Recent News

Category: Summer