Thirteen West Virginia University students selected for the WVNano International Research Experience for Students (IRES) spent eight weeks from June 13-Aug. 12 conducting interdisciplinary research at the State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials at Jilin University in China.

WVU faculty in the WVNano Initiative were awarded a $150,000 grant for graduate and undergraduate students to travel to the State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials at Jilin University in China. There, they engaged in collaborative research projects between faculty at WVU and Jilin University.

The goal of the international project is designed to offer WVU both undergraduates and graduates students an opportunity to value the science in China.

All students are rising sophomores, juniors and seniors majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) areas: Neil Bowman, Robert Correll, Jacob Fennick, Joshua Fernandez, Alexandria Harris, Trent Johnson, Gregory McKelvey, Darius Reynolds, Larry Rush, Lori Rush, Brian Train, Nissa Thomsen, and Lance Wollenberg.

The IRES program is funded through a National Science Foundation grant written by Dr. James P. Lewis, an associate professor in the WVU Department of Physics and WVNano and WVEPSCoR participant. The students selected received a $3,500 summer stipend and all travel expenses were supported by the program.

“China, which is one of the fastest developing countries in the world, is the perfect place for scientists in the U.S. to build a working relationship,” Lewis said. “Appreciation of differences in culture and in research approaches will increase understanding between China and the U.S. and will ultimately enhance economic development in both.”

One of WVNano’s main goals is workforce development. The IRES program is another example of training students in nanoscience engineering education for the next level. The idea behind the program is to build bridges that cross cultural differences and provide international leadership.

Students were divided into six research teams with an emphasis on underrepresented minorities and conducted research in areas such as investigating DNA for nanodevices, creating enzyme mimics, developing magnetic nanorings, modeling carbon nanotube sorting, and self-assembly of supramolecular structures. These areas of research will revolutionize, the healthcare, bionanosensor and energy industries. An international study-abroad experience intentionally motivated and enhanced leadership roles in interdisciplinary and international collaborations.

The students will have a chance to showcase their new discoveries and give personal testimonials about their summer experience in China at the 2009 IRES Poster Presentation on Thursday, Sept. 10 at the Mountaineer Room of the Mountainlair from 3-5 p.m. All are welcome.

-WVU-

gg/8/28/09

CONTACT: Christie Zachary
WVNano
304-293-8281