Eight undergraduates named 2010 ACC Undergraduate Research Scholars
Eight Virginia Tech undergraduate students have been selected to be 2010 ACC Undergraduate Research Scholars.
The ACC Undergraduate Research Scholarship program recognizes highly talented undergraduate students who are pursuing ambitious and unique research projects. Students selected as ACC Undergraduate Research Scholars receive a $2,000 award that can be used as a stipend and/or direct support of research expenses such as supplies, travel, and the use of specialized research services.
“One of the unique aspects of a Virginia Tech undergraduate education is to offer undergraduate students access to research experiences,” said Bob Jones, professor and head, Department of Biological Sciences and chair of the ACC Undergraduate Research Scholars Awards committee. “As a result, we see many exciting collaborations between our faculty and students that one cannot find at other universities. The ACC Undergraduate Research Scholars program further supports and encourages these partnerships.”
This year, eight winners were selected from among 51 applicants.
The 2010 ACC Undergraduate Research Scholars are
- Patrick Carter of Front Royal, Va., a junior majoring in aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering. Project Title: “Damping composite materials for jet engine blades” (Research Supervisor: Constantinos Soutis, Mechanical Engineering)
- Matthew Hiser of Lovettsville, Va., a senior majoring in materials science and engineering in the College of Engineering. Project Title: “Processing of tungsten-2wt% iron for use in kinetic energy penetrators” (Research Supervisor: Alex Aning, Materials Science and Engineering)
- David Jiang of Fairfax, Va., a senior majoring in biochemistry in the College of Science. Project Title: “Assessment of activity of Aedes mosquito trasposon, Pogo18” (Research Supervisor: Jake Tu, Biochemistry)
- Alexa Karatsikis of Yorktown, Va., a junior majoring in biological sciences in the College of Science. Project Title: “Adsorptive resins to enhance production and streamline isolation of bioactive compounds” (Research Supervisor: Joseph Falkinham, Biological Sciences)
- William Nachlas of Hummelstown, Pa., a senior majoring in geosciences in the College of Science. Project Title: “Fluid interaction in extensional detachment systems: stable isotope variation and white mica chemistry, Kettle detachment, Washington, U.S.A.” (Research Supervisor: Robert J. Tracy, Geosciences)
- Isaac Nardi of Norfolk, Va., a senior majoring in biological sciences in the College of Science. Project Title: “Quantification of key motor proteins in a panel of human cancer cells” (Research Supervisor: Daniela Cimini, Biological Sciences)
- Mikhelle A. Taylor of Jonesboro, Ark. and Kansas City, Mo., a senior majoring in interdisciplinary studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. Project Title: “Portugal vs. the Gods: The roles of Medievalism, Neo-Templarism, and Portuguese Brazilian identity in the building of Quinta da Regaleira” (Research Supervisor: Matthew Gabriele, Religion and Culture)
- Erin Weiss of Woodbridge, Va., a senior majoring in history and interdisciplinary studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. Project Title: “’Narco’: The changing perceptions of addiction in America, 1920’s - 1970’s” (Research Supervisor: Robert P. Stephens, History)
