Summer undergraduate research scientists to present findings

As part of the 2005 Synchrotron Radiation Center-Research for Undergraduates in Education (SRC-REU) program, the UW–Madison facility hosted five students this summer from colleges and universities throughout the United States and, in one case, Puerto Rico.

As part of the experience, each student has spent several weeks working closely with a UW–Madison researcher whose work utilizes the electron storage ring, Aladdin, at SRC-one of only a handful of such facilities in the country. The research work could provide unique visual opportunities for local media.

As part of their work, the students drafted a proposal of their projects, a mid-summer draft of a research paper based on their findings, and finally a written report, which will be presented at a research seminar on Friday, Aug. 5, at 10 a.m. at the Synchrotron Radiation Center in Stoughton.

Funded by the National Science Foundation, REU projects are designed to involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs at some of the nation’s top universities. UW–Madison also supports REU programs in the departments of astronomy, genetics, materials science and psychology.

Participants include:

• Jean Caleron, a sophomore majoring in chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, is worked with Professor J. Leon Shohet on a project looking at the effects of VUV and UV on the surface charge of SiO2.
• Joni Nordberg, a junior studying physics at Gustavus Adolphus College (MN), along with Ralf Wehlitz, studied the interactions between atoms and photons.
• Abraham Spinelli, a sophomore in materials engineering and applied physics at Purdue University, assisted Professor Robert Carpick in studying the friction mechanisms of diamond and diamond-like carbon at the nanoscale.
• Marcus Medley, a freshman in computer engineering at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, teamed up with Joe Bisognano, Director of SRC, on a project researching the next generation of synchrotron radiation.
• Molly Anderson, a junior studying biology, physics and philosophy at the University of St. Thomas (MN), worked with Professor Gelsomina “Pupa” De Stasio studying the organic-inorganic interface of mother-of-pearl.