Opening Doors to Discovery: Greenville’s Summer Science Experience
Published: November 20, 2024
Author: Julia Roat-Abla
Greenville University's Summer Research Experience (GU-SRE) allows students from diverse scientific fields to work with faculty and peers, tackling unique challenges and contributing to meaningful research. In the process, student researchers discover new aspects about themselves professionally and personally as they engage in the scientific process.
As part of this year’s Homecoming activities, students gathered in Snyder Hall to present their findings from six weeks of rigorous summer research and to share deeper insights into their efforts. Projects spanned computer science, chemistry, and biology, each with real-world applications.
Tackling Real-World Challenges: Hydrogels and Healing
One project, led by biology students Tyler Heldt, Austin Moses, and Quaid Schlanser, explored the potential of hydrogels for cell cultivation under the mentorship of Professor Sophena Zhao. Their research aimed to enhance environments for cell growth, with possible applications in wound healing and tissue regeneration.
Zhao emphasized the importance of resilience, initiative, and teamwork, noting that investigating reasons for unexpected results required critical thinking and adaptability.
"Our initial experiment with cell incubation in hydrogels resulted in most of the cells dying," Zhao shared. “The students had to investigate potential reasons, diving into additional resources and literature. This experience taught them resilience and adaptability, and they came to understand the importance of iterative problem-solving.”
Redefining Success in Chemistry: Lessons from Failure
Chemistry students Faye Jones, Madison Carter, and Katie Peppler collaborated with Dr. Scott Patenaude to explore coordination compounds, with potential applications in radiation protection. They examined ligand and metal interactions.
Patenaude praised his students' commitment to the project. “Our project allowed students to engage in thought experiments, developing their skills while contributing to ongoing research,” he explained.
Reflecting on her experience, Katie described the challenging learning curve, especially when experiments didn’t go as planned. “One of the biggest obstacles was learning to accept failure,” she said. “But our advisor taught us to redefine success, building on what didn’t go as expected.”
Katie’s experience in the lab clarified her career path, leading her to pursue a future in medical research. “Research lets me be creative and make a real impact on the world,” she shared.
Data and Diagnosis: Advancing Cancer Prediction Algorithms
In the computer science domain, Marshall Wiegand and Duyen Nguyen worked under Professor Gang Wang to enhance cancer prediction algorithms. Their project sought to make prediction models more accessible in resource-limited environments by investigating the influence of quantization on these algorithms.
Marshall, a biology major, noted how the project expanded his perspective on the potential of computer science. “Our results were astonishing to me,” Marshall said. “We managed to reduce more than half of the information in the system while still achieving 100% accuracy.”
He credited Wang with guiding him through the complexities of algorithmic work, saying, “Professor Wang’s guidance was crucial in helping me understand the language and structure of the algorithm.” This unexpected journey into computer science gave Marshall a fresh outlook on his future career.
Resilience and Growth: Skills for Future Scientists
Each presentation reflected the students' resilience, critical thinking, and adaptability in the face of challenges. Zhao believed the experience was instrumental in preparing her students for future academic and professional paths. “This project provided invaluable experience by teaching them to identify resources, formulate hypotheses, and refine experimental methods,” she said.
Patenaude echoed this sentiment, adding that it was a rare chance for students to exercise independence while navigating complex scientific questions. “There was no ‘what am I supposed to do next,’ but rather a collaborative space where students got to explore how they might uniquely contribute based on their own skillset in the group.”
By diving deeply into the challenges of scientific research, these students gained valuable insights not only into their chosen fields but also into their capacity for resilience, creativity, and growth.
