Monster movies, H1N1, & APS

LC attends undergrad science symposium in Illinois

By: Ashley Paulson

Posted: 12/3/09

On Friday, Nov. 13, Lakeland College juniors, Grace Jairo and Manying Szetu, had the privilege of attending the Undergraduate Symposium at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois with Associate Professor of Biochemistry Jeffery Schwehm. This is the fourth time Lakeland students have visited Argonne.

The Argonne Undergraduate Symposium attracts students from all across the country. In addition, university professors and researchers also attend. Students present their findings to researchers from the Argonne National Laboratory, as well as to other undergraduate students and professors. Jairo presented her summer research to a group during a structural biology session. Collaborations are sometimes formed when researchers find student's presentations insightful. "We actually had a gentleman from the University of Southern Mississippi ask if we wanted to do some collaboration with him," added Schwehm.

Jairo, Szetu, and Schwehm attended several presentations throughout the day, including a lecture on H1N1. The lecture looked at how flu viruses mutate, and also the development of the H1N1 flu. Another interesting lecture that they attended was by a man who researches biomechanics. He presented his findings on his evaluation of monster movies. To see if the monsters were portrayed in an authentic way, as in, with the monsters' size, if real, would the monsters move as portrayed on the big screen. All topics from Jurassic Park to zombies were discussed. "I think it's going to change the way we watch monster movies," commented Schwehm. "We'll be looking and saying, 'I'm not sure if that movement for that kind of creature is anatomically possible."

The Lakeland trio also had the opportunity of meeting with Lakeland Alum Bruce Stockmeier, who works as a safety officer in the nano technology area of the laboratory. Stockmeier oversees scientists to ensure that they conduct their experiments in a safe manner. He graduated from Lakeland College in 1975 with a degree in philosophy.

Jairo and Szetu had the luxury of touring the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne with Stockmeier. Schwehm explained the process used with the APS. "Basically, what they do is they have a ring of electrons that flow in a circle. They change the energy in these electrons that go through the circle and whenever that happens, the electrons will emit a form of radiation known as a photon." He further explained that X-rays can be taken from the photons to produce three-dimensional structures of protein molecules. "It's a really powerful instrument," Schwehm added.

Both Jairo and Szetu agreed that the highlight of their trip was the personal tour of the APS. "I wasn't there for that. I'm really jealous," added Schwehm. Not often do undergraduates get to experience such a close up tour as did Jairo and Szetu. "Very rarely do you get a chance to actually go down to where they do the actual research," said Kenya native Jairo. "They do really cool research and people can actually write a proposal and then use the X-ray for free," added Jairo. Of course, certain conditions apply to those writing proposals. In addition, students also have the ability to apply for summer research at the Argonne National Laboratory.

Funding for the trip was provided by the Lakeland Undergraduate Research Experience (LURE), which also funds summer research.

For those Lakeland female students who are still undecided as to their majors, Jairo and Szetu offered advice. "Women have the ability to actually do a lot of troubleshooting and come up with new ideas. Science is all about questions," Jairo continued. "Science is all about curiosity." Szetu agreed whole-heartedly. "Most people who do science are men, and we need women who have different mentalities and different ideas. That will help the world a lot."

If interested in learning more about science, contact the Chemistry Club advisor Jeffrey Schwehm.