Students Present Research Results

Three Austin College students presented the results of their 2013 summer science research experiences on campus Friday, September 6. Their experiences were sponsored by a grant from the II-VI Foundation Undergraduate Research Program.

"We are so pleased to partner with the II-VI Foundation," said Austin College President Marjorie Hass. "The foundation's generosity creates opportunities for our faculty, and students to engage in high-impact learning experiences that foster enthusiasm for research in the sciences."

Lindsay Bechtel and Chris Tanner, juniors completing majors in math and physics, worked in the lab of Dr. Andra Troncalli, associate professor of physics. Sophomores Daniel Park and Nicholas Maldonado worked with Dr. Brad Smucker, associate professor of chemistry. Bechtel, Park, and Maldonado gave presentations on their work to three II-VI Foundation representatives.

"Summer research gave me the opportunity to explore my interest in chemistry and realize that it was actually a fascination with chemistry," said Maldonado. "I now know that I can happily work full time in a lab as long as the research interests me."

The founders of the II-VI Foundation recently visited the Austin College campus to hear about the student research projects. Bechtel presented findings from her project, "Properties of Gold Thin Films Sputtered on Different Substrates," while Park and Maldonado presented their work on "Synthesizing Light-Harvesting Supramolecular Complexes."

"This summer's research project in physics allowed our students to build on their research skills, better preparing them for graduate school, engineering school, or work in industry," said Troncalli. The II-VI grant funds support summer research stipends for faculty members and students, research supplies, and travel for student presentations at academic conferences.

"It was enriching to learn how real scientists in research labs operate, and I was enthralled when I got to apply and develop my knowledge from college science class in order to solve problems that occurred during the research," Park said.

The II-VI Foundation is headquartered in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, and operates with the mission to "encourage and enable students to pursue a career in engineering, science, and mathematics while maintaining a standard of excellence in that pursuit." The foundation aims to fulfill its mission through early education initiatives, undergraduate scholarships, the Undergraduate Research Program, and a Block-Gift Program for graduate student support.

Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the college is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope's influential book Colleges That Change Lives.

Source: Austincollege