Contact: Kasia Haupt
Five Mississippi State women are "surfing" this summer, but they're not going near any water.
The four university seniors and one junior are participating in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, Md. Co-sponsored with the National Science Foundation, SURF is designed to provide undergraduate science and engineering majors the opportunity to complete research under guidance of international professionals in almost every scientific and engineering field.
The MSU group includes Dahlia L. Ashford of Moss Point, Alina T. Butler of Columbus, Brenna M. McGruder of Collierville, Tenn., Karolina A. Sarnowska of Diamondhead, and Kellie M. Smith of Laurel.
University assistant professors Gloria Thomas of chemistry and Adrienne Minerick of chemical engineering said 10 Mississippi State students expressing interest in SURF initially were nominated for the highly competitive 10-week fellows program.
"This is one of the most respected research experiences for undergraduate since it's sponsored by a national agency that sets standards for research and has an extensive campus with multiple labs and state-of-the-art technologies," Thomas said.
"We are extremely proud that our students competed successfully on a national level to earn this opportunity," Minerick added.
In addition to exposing students to the workings of a national scientific laboratory, the SURF curriculum includes a summer-long lecture series and concluding symposium at which the results of their research findings are presented.
NIST, whose Maryland campus is about 25 miles north of Washington, D.C., provides each participant with a $4,000 stipend, housing and a travel allowance. Biomarkers of cancer progression and measurements of such biologically active components as catechins in green tea are among specific focus areas in which they are working this year.
"The program gives students a global perspective of science and engineering research," Thomas said. "It inspires and motivates students to pursue graduate degrees in their fields."
Ashford and Butler are junior and senior majors, respectively, in biological sciences. McGruder is a senior biochemistry major; Sarnowska, a senior computer science major; and Smith, a senior chemical engineering major.
LOCAL EDITORS:
Parents of the students include Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Ashford of Moss Point; Daton Butler and Peggy Butlerof Columbus; Mr. and Mrs. Merle McGruder of Collierville; Mr. and Mrs. Krzysztof Sarnowska of Diamondhead; and Mr. and Mrs. James Smith of Laurel.