Research

Kelly McKenna

Now that we are in the fourth week of classes, students are busy balancing classes, clubs, homework, socializing, and in some cases, research. Gatton Academy students are encouraged to participate in undergraduate research with professors on campus. Research is a common aspect of Academy life and although 82 percent of the senior class participated in an independent research project last year, research is not mandatory. Some seniors, such as Paul Hudson and Tyler Meeks, decided not to participate in research their junior year. They are starting research this semester along with many juniors.

One way to get involved in research early at the Academy is through the Genome Discovery and Exploration Program. This allows students to jump into research through a guided program that doubles as a class, providing a hands-on biology research experience. Through the Genome Program, students isolate bacteriophages and look for possible uses of them in the medical field. Juniors not involved in the Genome Program have also found research opportunities around campus in a variety of fields, including chemistry, computer science, psychology, mathematics, physics, and biology.

This past summer, many seniors participated in The Gatton Academy Research Internship Grant which allowed them to work on a project with a research mentor. While some students stayed close to home for the summer, students like Andrew Brown and Leeza Khenner traveled quite a way to conduct their research. Brown worked in Los Alamos, New Mexico and Khenner studied in Perm, Russia. The Research Internship Grant prepares students to participate in the Siemens Competition, a prestigious math and science competition for high school students. Almost 20 seniors and one junior are putting the final touches on their reports as they prepare for the September 30th deadline.

Along with entering research into competitions, students may also present their research at regional, state, and national conferences. Dana Biechele-Speziale, Gus Madsen, and Whitney Heard presented their work recently at the 42nd Annual Conference of the North American Thermal Analysis Society in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Other students traveled to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Ashburn, Virginia to present their research this summer.