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Four Students Receive Grants for Undergraduate Research

Posted on Tuesday, December 4, 2007

The Westminster College Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning has awarded grants to four students to continue their undergraduate research.

"Enhancing opportunities for undergraduate research is an important component of the work of the Drinko Center in enriching undergraduate education," said Dr. Virginia Tomlinson, Westminster College associate professor of sociology and director of the Drinko Center. "The Undergraduate Research Initiative provides funding for students to conduct research and to present their research at regional and national conferences. So far this year 18 students have been awarded grants to conduct research."

The latest students to receive awards are:

Joseph Elliott, a senior biochemistry major, is a son of Joseph Elliott of New Castle and a graduate of Laurel High School.

Andrew Olphin, a senior chemistry major, is a son of Lester and Bonnie Olphin of Spring Grove and a graduate of Spring Grove Area High School.

These two students will use the grant to continue research on "Synthesis and Characterization of Polymers for Sequestering Carbon Dioxide Based on Poly (Vinyl Alcohol)." Their adviser is Dr. Katherine Shaffer, Westminster adjunct faculty in chemistry.

Callie Croushore, a senior chemistry major, is a daughter of Timothy and Cheryl Croushore of Greensburg and a graduate of Hempfield Area High School. She will use the grant to present "Rubrene Crystallization in 3D Focusing Microfluidic Devices."

Amy Thomas, a senior chemistry major, is a daughter of Gerald and Cheryl Thomas of Greensburg and a graduate of Hempfield Area High School. She will use the grant to present "Sorption of Natural Organic Matter (NOM) onto Mineral Sands."

These two students will present their work at the American Chemical Society National Meeting in New Orleans next spring. Their faculty adviser is Dr. Helen Boylan, Westminster associate professor of chemistry.

All grant recipients are invited to participate in the Undergraduate Research Symposium held on campus in the spring.

Contact Tomlinson at (724) 946-6033 or e-mail tomlinvm@westminster.edu or visit www.westminster.edu/drinko for additional information. 

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