Students Receive Grants for Undergraduate Research

The Westminster College Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning has awarded grants to four students to continue their undergraduate research and to present their work at the American Chemical Society National Meeting in New Orleans in the spring.

"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 22 students have been awarded grants to conduct research."

The latest students to receive awards are:

Skye Lyons, a senior chemistry major, is a daughter of Dennis and Cynthia Dickson of Burghill, Ohio, and a graduate of Badger High School. She will use the grant to present "Chemistry Experiments for the Home School Environment." Her adviser is Dr. Martha Joseph, Westminster associate professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry.

Jennifer Steele, a senior chemistry major, is a daughter of Gregory and Susan Steele of Beaver and a graduate of Beaver Area High School. She will use the grant to present "Dehydration and Decarbonization of Sugars in Aqueous Solution." Her adviser is Dr. Peter Smith, Westminster assistant professor of chemistry.

Durann VanGorder, a senior chemistry major, is a daughter of Jeffrey and Deborah VanGorder of New Castle and a graduate of Lincoln High School. She will use the grant to present "Progress Towards the Synthesis of Azacalixarenes." Joseph is her adviser.

Ian Yarger, a senior biochemistry major, is a son of Duane and Kathleen Yarger of Centre Hall and a graduate of Penns Valley Area High School. He will use the grant to present "Synthesis of (3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-phosphonic acid." His adviser is Dr. Brian Kail, Westminster assistant 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.