Classifcation: Junior

Research area: Polymers

Research group: Dr. Grant C. Willson

My lab role and research: I work with other graduate and undergraduate students on a project with the goal of controlling the self-assembly of silicon-containing block copolymers with nano-sized features. I have performed a variety of post-synthesis tasks in the project using a number of different instruments and techniques. Some examples are depositing thin polymer films on silicon wafers with a spin coater, measuring film thicknesses by ellipsometry, thermally annealing samples in a vacuum oven, etching annealed samples using a reactive ion etcher, and imaging etched samples with atomic force microscopy.

How will this research will benefit society: Block copolymers are one of the possible future paths for microelectronic patterning. We are focused on finding and developing block copolymers that can self-assemble with perpendicular, nano-scale features. These materials could be used to create lithographic templates to produce drives with capacities of more than one terabit per square inch in order to match the increasing demands of the electronic world.

How I plan to use this experience in my career: I have interests in both attending graduate school and working in the materials industry, so my current research gives me exposure to both of these goals.

The most memorable breakthrough in my research group: Recently we had a series of breakthroughs involving a block copolymer synthesized from styrene and trimethylsilyl styrene monomers. Two different annealing methods, introduction to an environment saturated with a vapor polar solvent and thermal equilibration with modification layers at both the substrate and air interfaces, induced perpendicularly oriented features. Fine-tuning these methods and materials could lead to a process useful for large-scale nanofabrication.

My advice to students who plan to do research: Ask your research advisor and lab graduate students questions. They will be glad to answer and assist you. It will be difficult to understand everything at first, but if you continue to ask questions, both the details of your task and the overarching view of the project will become clear.

Classification: Junior

Research area: Cellular and Metabolic Engineering

Research group: Dr. Hal Alper

My role and tasks in the lab: I work alongside graduate student Eric Young, and help him by performing tasks such as restriction enzyme digests, PCRs, mini-preps, genomic DNA preps, ligations, gel extractions, and fermentations. Throughout my time working in the lab, I have been taught a great deal of theory behind each of these tasks. At times, I have been expected to write papers explaining the research we are doing.

How this research will benefit society: By finding a xylose transport protein, we will increase the capacity for yeast to produce ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass, the part of corn and sugarcane that we do not use as food. This will decrease competition for these food sources, increasing their availability in a starving world. It will also help to reduce the price of ethanol. The procedures that we are perfecting in this process can benefit society in an even greater way because they are applicable to both the energy and pharmaceutical world.

How I plan to use this experience in my career: I am interested in working for a pharmaceutical company. Though much of what I do in lab will not be directly transferable to my work in industry, it is helping me to develop a background in many of the processes commonly used. This experience is also expanding my understanding of many metabolic processes and cell characteristics, both of which I expect to be useful in my future career. Furthermore, this experience has taught me how to cope in a field I initially knew nothing about.

The most memorable breakthrough in my research group: This past year my group was able to research the largest survey of xylose transporters to date. This was extremely exciting because it gave us a much greater understanding of the xylose transport mechanism, and brought us a great deal closer to finding an efficient xylose transporter.

My advice to students who plan to do research: My advice is once you start working in a lab, to ask as many questions as you can. Not all professors have undergraduates working in their labs, so if your professor does, it means he wants you there to learn something. Take full advantage of this. You may never get another chance to have such knowledgeable mentors who truly care about your learning experience.

Classification: Senior

Research area: Bioengineering

Research group: Dr. Jennifer Maynard

My lab role and research: I am currently working on a project to develop an oral vaccination delivery system. The system takes advantage of a protein called invasin that bacteria use to invade the body through certain cells (M cells) in the intestines. After antigen is encapsulated in polymeric particles, invasin can be attached to the surface of these particles, allowing them to specifically target M cells which will induce an appropriate immune response against the antigen. My role in the project involves using various protein engineering techniques to increase the affinity of invasin for targeted M cells, and determining the best conditions for creating the particles to optimize encapsulation efficiency and particle morphology.

How will this research will benefit society: This project has widespread implications in improving the quality of life of patients worldwide. First, oral delivery of vaccines will elicit a more natural and complete immune response by using one of the body’s existing methods of antigen sampling. Furthermore, oral vaccinations will increase patient comfort and compliance, while requiring lower administration costs. Finally, since the particle formulation will be stable in powder form, the vaccines can be distributed readily to all areas of the world where storage conditions are not ideal.

How I plan to use this research experience in my career: I plan to attend graduate school, I will likely continue research in bioengineering, and the wet-lab techniques that I have learned from the Maynard Lab will be readily transferable to related research groups. Furthermore, the research experience I gained working in a lab as an undergraduate helped strengthen my applications when I was applying to graduate schools.

My  advice to students who plan on doing research: Start researching early. Don’t be afraid to ask professors about research opportunities; most professors are eager to share their research with you. Many students start undergraduate research the summer before their freshman year. Also, experiment with different research areas. Part of undergraduate education is discovering what your interests are and how to pursue them after graduation.  Finally, learn as much about your project as possible. Having a detailed understanding of your work helps place all tasks in the context of the overall goal of the research.