Purdue News
Purdue News
|
|
May 18, 2000 Purdue sophomores honored for research achievementsWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – While most in-depth research is reserved for scholars at the graduate- and postgraduate-level, three Purdue University sophomores have received recognition for their research in fields of science and chemistry. Eric M. Brustad, Indianapolis; Daniel T. Dawson II, Plainfield, Ind.; and Bryce F. Sadtler, Newburgh, Ind.; have each been named Goldwater Scholars through the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. The award is given to students who have exhibited scholarly merit, an understanding of academic research, and are pursuing careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences, and engineering with a goal of obtaining a Ph.D. in one of those fields. "This is unique, because it is the first time we have received three scholarships for sophomore students," says Purdue School of Science Associate Dean Martha Chiscon. Chiscon, who also coordinates the Goldwater scholarship application process at Purdue, said the award emphasizes the importance of undergraduate research. "Most students at this level are just beginning to do in-depth research, and do not yet understand the goals of research or how to go about applying classroom knowledge to research," she says. "To be competitive for this scholarship they have to be involved in undergraduate research. Because these students were in the freshman honors program at Purdue they had a course that provided them with research opportunities." An emphasis is also put on the nominees' long-term academic plans. "One of the goals of the scholarship is to encourage undergraduate students to continue their studies to the Ph.D. level, because there is a desire to increase the pool of outstanding scientists," Chiscon says. Each student wrote a 600-word essay on a specific topic he or she researched as a freshman. "I was surprised and honored that I had the opportunity for an early start in research at Purdue," says Sadtler, a chemistry major with a specialty in organic synthesis. His ongoing research focus is on way to detect molecules in minute concentrations, which could eventually help in the study of how the brain functions. Brustad is a triple major of biochemistry, chemistry, and French with a specialty in organic synthesis or biochemistry. His ongoing research topic is the study of molecules as a way to develop new forms of cancer treatment. Dawson II, an atmospheric science major, with a specialty in atmospheric dynamics, submitted "Dust Devils, Tornadoes, and the Boundary Layer." The study centers on the layer of atmosphere closest to the earth and whirlwinds. The Purdue scholarship winners will each receive $7,500 annually to cover the costs of tuition, fees, books and room and board for the next two years. The Goldwater Foundation has given 3,021 scholarships worth about $31 million in its 12-year history, with Purdue receiving 27 of those awards. Sources: Martha Chiscon, (765) 494-1757, mchiscon@purdue.edu Bryce F. Sadtler, (765) 853-0512, bsadtle1@purdue.edu Other Sources: Eric M. Brustad, (317) 826-9710, ebrustad@purdue.edu Daniel T. Dawson II, (317) 838-0841, ddawson1@purdue.edu Writer: Cynthia Sequin, (765) 494-2073, csequin@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
|
