ub stem newsletter summer 2013

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Newsletter About Us A Warm Welcome

From Nancy Campos, UB STEM Graduate Assistant

Welcome to the new version of our UB STEM

newsletter! The main goal of UB STEM is to provide you, our students, with the skills necessary to achieve your personal and career goals. Through our various programs, we try to ensure that you are ready and prepared for life after college, whether that means attending graduate school or finding a job. Our main focus is to offer opportunities that may not be available to the average undergraduate student in STEM, such as, paid research internships throughout the year, which are extremely beneficial for all students. We also focus on "soft skills," or everyday skills, that cannot be learned in the classroom or lab, such as, networking and communication skills, professional attire, and proper dining etiquette. We are very excited to continue offering you these types of events, and welcome any feedback or suggestions for future events.

Throughout this newsletter, you will see some of the highlights of this past academic year. Most importantly, our newsletter serves to highlight our students and their amazing work. It is because of our wonderful students that we continue to thrive as a unit. We hope we can continue offering you the types of events and supports necessary for success. Congratulations to all our students and their many achievements, and especially to our 2013 graduates! We look forward to a great summer with our LSAMP Summer Research Program interns, and will see you next fall!

UB STEM programs seek to increase the number of underrepresented students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. These programs provide services to improve your academic performance, retention, graduation, and graduate school acceptance rates. We are sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Programs include:

UB Bridge to the Doctorate (UBBD)

SUNY Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation

(SUNY-LSAMP)

UB STEM Programs 255 Capen Hall

Buffalo, NY 14261 645-7301

cads.buffalo.edu/ustem Director, Dr. Letitia Thomas-Rogers [email protected] Graduate Asst., Nancy Campos [email protected] Newsletter Ed., Marcene Robinson [email protected]

Serving UBBD, LSAMP & S-STEM students

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UB STEM NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2013

But Don’t Just Take Our Word For It… Hear it From Our Students

Your fellow UB STEM scholars share their experiences in the LSAMP Program.

Andrea Martinez Junior, Electrical Engineering

Last summer, my studies came to life. They were no longer equations that lived on paper, but results I could see with my own eyes. Through the opportunities of LSAMP, and under the advisement of Dr. Jennifer Zirnheld and Dr. Kevin Burke, I dove into the world of research. With help from members of my lab, I used my

knowledge to design, create and improve on my own project. I used a microprocessor to control a circuit that pulsed a constant current of my own creation in order to begin the process of lifetime testing of a key enabling part of the circuit. At the conclusion of the summer, I presented my research to my peers, graduate students, professors and even the Dean of Engineering at both the McNair summer research conference and at the LSAMP summer symposium. I used a poster, props and the skills I was taught during workshops during the summer. The experience allowed me the opportunity to get closer to peers with the same interests and similar goals. I surrounded myself with people who wanted the best for me and are invested in my success.

Antonio Upia MS Candidate, Electrical Engineering

My research experience through LSAMP changed my outlook on school. I researched the characteristics of rechargeable energy storage devices at the Energy Systems Institute. The program surrounded me with minority graduate students pursuing their Masters and Doctorates, and showed me that attaining an advanced degree was both possible and advantageous. This pushed me to work harder in my academics to reach the level of success of these other students. LSAMP also relieved the financial burden of attending college. I was able to focus on my academics instead of worrying about where my income was going to come from.

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Daniel Calzadilla Sophomore, Chemical Engineering

The LSAMP Summer 2012 Research Program was a great experience getting into research early on in my major as an undergraduate student. I had the opportunity to work on a chemical engineering project under the supervision of Dr. Marina Tsianou and her lab group. The research consisted on finding the best removal method for marine oil spills.

We tried to find the best combination of dispersants, which are composed of surfactants and naturally occurring particles, to break down oil to small biodegradable droplets. During the summer, I also made connections with faculty and graduate students. I appreciate the time and effort that the group put into having an undergrad in the lab, and making the experience enjoyable. It was interesting, and I hope to work with the lab again in the future. More students should apply for this summer program; it's a great start in the right direction.

Above: Nathan Guterry, a Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering student, holds a model airplane that he is using to test an engine for the larger plane behind him, which will be entered in the unmanned aerial vehicle competition. Right: Bridge to the Doctorate Fellow, Oswald Dadson, tests samples in Dr. Olson’s lab.

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Join a research laboratory as soon as possible. DO NOT wait until your senior year! Below are tips for success during your research rotations. You can tackle the unknown, try to discover the basis for life and find cures for ailments. We define success as a real learning experience with tangible results—growth as scientists, scientific publications and letters of recommendation. 1. Know the broad aims of the laboratory: Learn through readings and discussions with your mentor and laboratory members what is being studied in the laboratory.

2. Understand the purpose of your individual project: Do not do experiments blindly. You need to gain a deeper understanding of your project and how it fits into the overall aims of the laboratory. 3. Keep updated on the scientific literature: This is your responsibility. Read relevant literature related to your project. Scientific papers are not easy to read! Do the best you can and learn more through discussions with your mentor and laboratory members. 4. Interact with other members of the laboratory: Once in a laboratory, you have joined a group of scientists. Learn

what other laboratory members are doing, even if it is seemingly unrelated to your project. 5. Achieve some independence: As you gain more skills, one of the goals of your research rotation is to interpret your results and propose future avenues of exploration. You will likely be wrong some of the time, but your mentors will not hold it against you. On the contrary, they will be excited by your interest and will help you formulate better plans. 6. Be committed: Very few projects are without hiccups, and your dedication is essential for pushing through them. Success will be well worth your efforts. 7. Ask questions: Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your colleagues. Your mentors have made a commitment to enhance your growth as a scientist. The “payback” for them is your commitment to your research project.

How To Make the Most Out of Your Research Experience

Bethany Rankin, a Bridge to the Doctorate Fellow, checks her results in her pharmacology & toxicology lab.

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UB STEM’s Student Summer Spotlight

Meet Erika Salem. Salem is a junior mechanical engineering major. When she is not completing research or playing soccer, Salem is participating in club events for either the Society for Women Engineers or the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.

Working with NASA. Under the tutelage of Dr. Luis Colon, a chemistry professor at the University at Buffalo, Salem is a part of a research team that will travel to Houston, TX, home of NASA, this summer to test their electro kinetic micro pumps in microgravity. The pumps use an electric charge to make liquid flow, and have caught NASA’s attention due to their lightweight, lack of moving parts and the variety of liquids that it can propel, which includes everything from water to corrosive acids. In regular gravity, the pumps are

used to separate liquids.

It all started with a mallet. Salem realized she wanted to be an engineer in the seventh grade. After building a wooden mallet in a tech class in Liverpool High School in Syracuse, NY, she ran home to tell her father of her future

aspirations.

Engineering runs in the family. Salem’s father is an engineer for defense technology producer Lockheed Martin. Her dad’s work producing technology for the United States Navy instilled in Salem ambitions to one day work with the military as well. This summer, she will intern with Sikorsky Aircraft, a manufacturer of military aircrafts and radars. Her brother, Dan Salem, also attends the University at Buffalo, but as a chemical engineering major. Next year he will begin a PhD program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Salem presents her research poster at last summer’s UB

LSAMP Summer Symposium: Posters at Davis.

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As graduate students, we are often encouraged to present our research findings at regional and national conventions; however, the value of these presentations is not always clear. Listed below are the top 5 reasons why it is important for you to participate in conferences. 1. Contribute to and learn about the most recent advances in your field Conference presentations allow you to present your most up-to-date findings and receive feedback from colleagues, which will help you when you ultimately write up your study. Additionally, you have the opportunity to attend other presentations, which often represent the most cutting-edge research available. They can provide you with valuable information far earlier than if you had waited for the publication.

2. Advocate for your science Representing your field of interest allows researchers in other disciplines, policy-makers and the public to become aware of the innovative research being generated in your subfield. 3. Learn how to talk about your data Conferences provide a way to practice your presentation skills, and can help you develop the expertise needed to discuss your research clearly. Learning how to answer questions and present your data to a range of individuals will help you in other endeavors; including future conference presentations, masters or dissertation defenses, and classroom teaching. 4. Contribute to your overall research profile A history of conference presentations will show potential employers that you regularly publicize your research finding to colleagues, as well as keep up-to-date on the cutting-edge research of the field. Moreover, many conferences offer travel awards, which if won, can be added to your list of awards and honors. These lines on your vita may be the deciding factor between you and other potential job candidates. 5. Meet other researchers in your field and potential contacts for future positions Establishing contacts with other scientists will foster friendships with researchers who can be resources for you at any stage of your career. An additional advantage of meeting researchers with common interests is that you may be able to create contacts for future employment or post-doctoral placements, allowing you to learn of available positions sooner than those who wait for advertisements to be posted. Furthermore, making yourself recognizable to future employers can increase your likelihood of being considered for a position.

Why It's Important For You To Present Your Data at Scientific Conferences

By Kelly Dunn

Paul Glenn, junior math major, presents his research poster at the University at Buffalo’s Celebration of Excellence.

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The Conference Nightmare

http://www.phdcomics.com/comics.php?f=1553

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10 Ways to Improve Your Conference Presentation

1. Tailor your presentation to the audience. Surprisingly, many just present 'their research' and expect people to want to think through why it is relevant. 2. Prepare in advance and practice out loud. Practice by presenting to others, even those not familiar with your work. Pace your presentation to avoid overrunning.

3. Keep it simple. Avoid jargon. People will probably only remember 3 points at the most.

4. Show how you got the data, not just the data! Attend to this for just a moment to help your audience understand how your process unfolded. But it’s not the focus; so don’t spend too much time here. 5. Avoid powerpointlessness. The focus should be you, not your over-detailed slides. Try prezi, manyeyes or informationisbeautiful as alternatives. 6. Have an analogy or illustration. While this may not seem very academic, the opposite effect is usually true: A proper analogy shows an expert level of understanding and ability to simplify the topic. Also, a humorous point or two will help you create warmth with your audience, or at least the ones who laugh. 7. Include recommendations that are actionable and that help your audience. Don’t just have recommendations that say: we need to do more research or my research suggests that this issue needs more funds. Explain how funds would be spent or what future research would entail.

8. When people respond, ask questions or make comments, thank them for their question or comment and then… Give concise, short answers. The Q&A time is not a chance for you to present more data. 9. Avoid the pompous. The days of the hypercritical and self-centered scholar have passed. Be humble. Understand you’re part a larger conversation of equally wonderful and gifted people.

10. Remember the after. The actual 'presentation' is only part of it. Put your slides on www.slideshare.net

Shane McKay, senior mechanical engineering major, explains his presentation poster to Dr. Scott Weber, UB Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, at the UB LSAMP Summer Symposium.

Bridge to the Doctorate Fellow, Antonia Upia presents his research to his peers and colleagues during a research luncheon.

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1. Join professional associations: Most organizations host meetings where individuals can learn new information

pertinent to their field and have the opportunity to meet new contacts. As an added benefit, these organizations typically offer reduced student membership rates. 2. Participate in campus activities and clubs: Participating in campus activities and spending time with individuals who have similar interests and hobbies is a great way to meet new people while not feeling the pressure of formalized networking activities. 3. Join LinkedIn: LinkedIn is the business version of Facebook. It is an informal way to connect with employers and coworkers. 4. Follow up quickly: Send an email within 24 hours to whomever you meet to keep them in your network.

5. Create business cards: Always remember to keep a few of these cards handy in case you meet someone new. 6. Remember names: A person will be pleasantly surprised if you remember their name the next time you meet, and your relationship will be improved. 7. Don’t look sloppy: 93% of first impressions are non-verbal, so put your best foot forward.

Sometimes It’s About Who You Know

Tips for Networking at Conferences and On Campus

Alumnus, Lavonne Rodolph, speaks with students at UB STEM’s Food, Alumni & Networking (F.A.N.) event.

Alumnus, Mwita Phelps, speaks with students at UB STEM’s Food, Alumni and Networking (F.A.N.) event.

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1. The color of your belt should match your shoes. 2. Wear a shirt with a collar. Polos are acceptable, but button-ups are preferable. And never wear a short-sleeved dress shirt. 3. The color of your socks or stockings should match your pants or skirt. 4. Be conservative. Your personality should make you stand out from the crowd, not the loudness of your clothes.

5. Tailor your suit. People won’t take you seriously if it appears you borrowed your friend’s suit. Off-the-rack suits fit general body types, and a tailor is needed to make the appropriate alterations to mold the clothing to your frame. An expensive suit that doesn’t fit is worthless; but $30 of alterations could make a $300 suit priceless. 6. Practice good hygiene. That means shower (don’t forget to clean your ears), brush your tongue and tame your hair. 7. Don’t forget to iron and remove any wrinkles. 10 minutes can save you a day’s worth of embarrassment. 8. People WILL judge you by the shoes you wear. That black pair of boots or sneakers you attempt to pass off as dress shoes… people notice.

Don’t Forget to Look the Part: Rules for Professional Attire

http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/s/suiting.asp

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UB STEM’s Student Summer Spotlight

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experience. The results concluded that motion had a minimal impact on the student’s learning experience. Duncan’s years of hard work paid off when he was offered his dream job as an engineer for his favorite car manufacturer, Honda Motor Company. He will join their Steering and Suspension Team in Ohio as an entry-level engineer. Duncan credits the UB STEM program for helping him achieve his dreams. He explains that without their financial support, he would have needed to work, which would prevent him from dedicating his attention solely to schoolwork. Though, he also praises the program for continually providing him with information on opportunities such as internships and scholarships, and for building a community of like-minded students that he could be a part of. Duncan’s goals extend farther than working for a car manufacturer. He aspires to become a recognizable leader in the automotive industry as well. If he can help build a car that a kid hangs a poster of on his wall, or another person saves up every penny to buy, then he believes his life is complete.

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Ian Duncan is a car guy. He can name just about any car by sight, the majority of the pictures he likes on Instagram are of his favorite autos and although he is not a mechanic, chances are he can tell you the reason your car keeps making that clinking sound. Having spent most of his life admiring cars, Duncan decided to build them for a living by pursuing an education in engineering. “I’m a car guy first, and an engineer second,” says Duncan. “If it wasn’t for cars, I don’t think I’d be an engineer.” He competed both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from the University at Buffalo. During his years at UB, Duncan worked in the New York State Center for Engineering Design and Industrial Innovation (NYSCEDII) where he completed a number of projects involving automobiles. One of his first tasks was to bring an instrument cluster, more commonly known as the dials and meters in a car’s dashboard, to life in a driving simulator by connecting the cluster to the car’s computer. In a later project, Duncan studied whether motion in driving simulators could play a role in driver education. Using motion actuation systems, Duncan tested the effectiveness of simulation programs on students from local high schools. Not only did it aid him in his research, but also it provided the students with a safe and controlled environment to gain driving

“I’m a car guy first, and an engineer second.” -Ian Duncan

SUMMER 2013

Erika Salem: Internship with Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, CT Nathan Guterry: Internship with Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, CT Paul Glenn: UB McNair Scholars Summer Program, URGE to Compute Program Shayne McKay: Internship in Mechanical Engineering Department at UB with Dr. Harsh Chopra Andrea Martinez: Internship at Cameron Daniel Calzadilla: REU at University of Kansas

Keira Henry - Chemical Engineering William LaPorte - Structural Engineering Tresor Mavinga - Structural Engineering Jasmine Tillery - Structural Engineering Lauren Coviello – Industrial & Systems Engineering Jose Barajas – Chemistry Kevin Carpio - Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering David Levy - Civil Engineering Maliek Likely - Chemical Engineering Ifechukwu Ononye - Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Stephen Stomber - Chemical Engineering

2012 Summer Program Interns Where are they now?

2013 Summer Program Interns Who are they?

Jonathan Rivera, a Bridge to the Doctorate Fellow, works on testing squat walls under Dr.

ub stem newsletter summer 2013

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main goal of ub stem

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