August 03, 2010

Chemistry program benefits high school students

by Tim Crosby

CARBONDALE, Ill -- Two high school students from Southern Illinois are increasing their chemistry knowledge this summer with the help of grants and mentors at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

An exhibition this week at the University features the high school students’ work, along with that of some SIUC undergraduates.

Project SEED, a program sponsored by the American Chemical Society at SIUC, is aimed at helping economically disadvantaged students to learn more about chemistry. It offers a unique opportunity for talented local high school students, who spend the summer working full-time in the laboratory with SIUC faculty mentors.

Students selected receive a fellowship for their eight-week program. Students who complete the first summer satisfactorily and have not entered college next summer can return for a second round of research the following summer.

An ACS grant to faculty, as well as funds from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, and the College of Science, are funding the project.

This year’s high school participants are

• Tori Nosovitsky, a senior at Carbondale Community High School and the daughter of Michael and Christine Nosovitsky. She has been working with Gabriela Pérez-Alvarado, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry.

• Rebecca Weber, a junior at Herrin High School and the daughter of Joy Hankins. She has been working with Brian Lee, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry.

A reception and poster session featuring the students’ work is set for 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, on the second floor of the Neckers Building.

The event also will feature posters from 17 undergraduate students at SIUC and other universities involved in the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduates program. The program gives undergraduate students the opportunity to work on research at the forefront of materials science and engineering under the guidance of SIUC faculty mentors from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, the Department of Physics, and the College of Engineering, preparing them for graduate school and further professional education.

Professor Daniel Dyer and Associate Professor Boyd Goodson, both of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, coordinate the REU program at SIUC.