Name:Vincent Brown
Internship, Co-op or Research Site: Towson University
Position Title: Research Intern
Major(s)/Minor(s):Biology B.A/ Ancient Studies
Work Term:Summer 2018
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.
I am conducting research at Towson University in the Devadas Lab. My research consists of synthesizing and characterizing gold nano-clusters which can be used for energy responsive applications such as light harvesting and theranostic applications with specific aims: (i) to enhance light collection efficiency using quantum sized clusters, (ii) to develop better labelling agents with enhanced two-photon cross-sections, and (iii) to generate efficient nano-vehicles for targeted drug delivery and cancer therapy. My day-to-day responsibilities include synthesizing the gold nano-clusters, and purifying and washing the products before characterizing them with UV-Vis Spectroscopy.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I was able to obtain this research position because my brother attends Towson University and has been apart of the research group since the spring semester. He was the one who told me about the opportunity to work in the lab for the summer and told his research mentor about me. I then scheduled a meeting with Dr. Devadas and she allowed me to join her lab for the summer.
What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?
What I have enjoyed most about my position is the fact that I am learning something new everyday. I am a biology major working in an inorganic chemistry lab so I didn't understand a lot of the things I had to do in the beginning. However, after performing my day-to-day responsibilities and reading research articles, I have gained a strong understanding of the reasoning behind my research. Reading so many various research articles has also helped me to learn how to efficiently read a research article and genuinely understand the material. It has been very enjoyable to go through this process and I look forward to continuing to learn throughout the summer.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I believe that I have brought in my hardworking character and my love for learning to my research lab. I hope that my biggest impact I make through my work is that I accomplish all the tasks I have been assigned for the summer and fulfill what has been asked of me to the best of my ability. Along with this, my intentions are that other researchers will believe the data I have collected is significant and will want to try to reproduce my results and improve my methods.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
Don't be afraid to ask for internship or research opportunities! The easiest way to get involved is to simply ask a professor or faculty member if they are looking for an intern. The worst thing they can say is no.
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]]>What: Emergency Exercise
When: Monday, August 13th between 10a.m. and 1p.m.
Where: Albin O. Kuhn Library
Details:
On Monday, August 13th the UMBC Police, Department of Environmental Safety and Health along with the Baltimore County Fire Department will be conducting an Emergency Exercise (fire rescue) at the Albin O. Kuhn library between the hours of 10a.m. and 1p.m. Please expect to see a heavy first responder and emergency vehicle presence in the area. The exercise will include a mandatory evacuation of the building. Library staff and patrons along with the pond side offices will be allowed back into the building as quickly as possible. Library patrons will be restricted to the RLC and the lobby area for the duration of the exercise. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause but these exercises are critical in helping all of us prepare for critical incidents. The decision was made to conduct the drill during normal business hours to increase the life-like nature of the exercise and test our ability to evacuate the building in real time. Thank you.
Chief Paul DillonIron Crow Theatre is an award-winning, not-for-profit theatre and Baltimore’s queer theatre, having been named Best Breakout Theatre by Baltimore Magazine just last year! Book your audition today and be a part of Iron Crow Theatre's journey to becoming the city's next Equity theatre! Our award-winning productions draw some of the region's most respected theatre critics and directors/casting agents - from the Baltimore Sun to Arena Stage, Ford's Theatre, Everyman Theatre, and more!
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