Biology Major Emma Kamen Completes Prestigious Summer Research Fellowship

Biology major Emma Kamen '17

Read about Emma Kamen’s summer research experience in her own words:

This summer, I was fortunate enough to participate in an eight-week undergraduate research experience at the University of Delaware. Over the course of the summer, I worked alongside Dr. Andrew Teplyakov and several doctoral students. With their guidance, I conducted my own research project and explored new topics in physical and analytical chemistry. My research focused primarily on the use of analytical techniques to aid in historic preservation. In my project, I used several spectroscopic and microscopic instruments to analyze the composition and chemical state of soot samples from the Vanderbilt Mansion in upstate New York. The results of my research are currently being used to assist in a major effort to restore the 1890’s mansion. My summer concluded with presenting my research at a local conference, alongside more than 100 other research students from various programs and fields. It was at this point that I was most thankful for my science education at MMC. I have found that the skills I have gained from studying in a small, passionate, and individualized environment make MMC unique, and that the opportunity to learn from Professors who are, above all else, passionate about the success of their students is, in fact, invaluable.

Spending the summer at the University of Delaware was an extremely rewarding experience, as I was able to expand my research skills, work with advanced instrumentation, and expand my knowledge of the chemistry field. I believe that it is my background at Marymount Manhattan that allowed me to gain and be prepared for this opportunity, and I am immensely excited for another rewarding year at MMC.

Published: September 07, 2017