Comments from Past Summer Undergraduate Research Program Participants

Lauren Mascibroda

Cedar Crest College (NSF-REU '11)

This summer was a great experience at CMU. I learned so much doing research in Dr. Waggoner’s lab in MBIC, especially how doing research really works. It opened my eyes a little to how a research job goes from day to day, instead of a small project that I was used to in the past. I worked with a novel fluorogen that was previously developed and found, through screening millions of yeast cells, that it successfully bound and fluoresced to surface proteins and is sensitive to changes in the cells’ surroundings. I met a lot of amazing people and saw a new side to how science works.

Nathanael Braun

Cedarville University (NSF-REU '11)

The REU program at Carnegie Mellon was a great summer research experience for me. I learned so much about the culture and practice of scientific research from working in a lab. I also learned more about different areas of biology from my own research, the research of others in the program, and from the talks by various faculty in the department. This program confirmed my passion for research and solidified my desire to pursue a Ph.D. degree.

Susana Chan

Barry University (NSF-REU '11)

I had done some research on the NSF-REU program offered and it seemed like a great opportunity. I was very excited when I was accepted into the NSF-REU program at Carnegie Mellon University. I spent my summer working in Dr. Eric T. Ahrens lab and the members of the lab were amazing people. Everyone involved in the summer REU program were very friendly and approachable. The bi-monthly meetings with program directors, Dr. McCartney and Dr. Hackney, were incredibly helpful in preparing me for the oral presentation at the end of the program. The faculty talks were incredibly informative; they talked of different areas of research that I had no knowledge of. I enjoyed my summer in Pittsburgh more than I could have ever imagined. Being from Miami, I was afraid Pittsburgh would not offer enough entertainment and diversity but I was very wrong. The city is so incredibly diverse with lots to do and eat. I was very pleased with the institution, the summer program and Pittsburgh overall.

Kedar Perkins
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (NSF-REU '11)

I like to start out saying that I truly enjoyed my experience this past summer at CMU and had a phenomenal first experience in a research lab.

In regards to working in the Campbell lab I learned a lot and also had fun doing the work I was doing. The other lab members were very helpful and there was always someone I could ask for help if I needed it. All the lab members taught me how to do some part of what I did during the summer and the lab had a nice relaxed atmosphere.

The presentations at the end of the program gave me insight into how to present scientific research. The biweekly REU meetings were very helpful in preparing for the powerpoint presentation...The boot camp at the beginning of the program was a great way for us not to only refresh ourselves on some basic techniques but also learn some new ones. The boot camp also served as a way to get to know everyone before we went off to our respective labs which was a very positive aspect to the boot camp.

I really enjoyed getting to know the other students in the program. Each person had a distinctly different personality and background which made the summer very interesting.

Travis Lear
Saint Mary's College of Maryland (NSF-REU '11)

This summer program gave me the opportunity to engage in graduate-level research with renowned professors and actual PhD candidates. The experience taught me about problem solving, perseverance, and techniques for presenting scientific findings. Living among like-minded biologists fostered an environment where we could brainstorm ideas and draw strength from one another when projects became difficult. My time at CMU also opened my mind and my palate to ideas and foods of many different cultures in Pittsburgh. I learned much about myself and the real-life scientific process. My only regret is not participating in this REU sooner in my undergraduate career.

Noah Most
Grinnell College (NSF-REU '11)

An NSF-REU fellowship at Carnegie Mellon has been an incredibly valuable experience. I have investigated an important scientific question, experienced what I might expect in graduate school, learned numerous laboratory techniques, presented my work to an audience of my peers, and built confidence in my post-graduate aspirations.

Schnaude Dorizan
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (NSF-REU '11)

My time doing research at Carnegie Mellon University was extraordinary. I met wonderful people, both students and staff alike, who helped me grow as a scholar and a researcher. I always had someone here to guide me through various projects and to give me some insight on how life is as a researcher. My experience at CMU has been one of a kind and I'm really happy that I had this opportunity.

Lindsay McCullough
Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University (NSF-REU '09)

The REU program at Carnegie Mellon University far surpassed any expectations I previously had of the program. I gained valuable experience not only in the research lab, but also in public speaking from presenting my work in front of a professional audience. This experience has played a tremendous role in my professional development as a college student planning on furthering my education after an undergraduate degree.

Richard Decal
New College of Florida (NSF-REU '09)

Carnegie Mellon's SURP is a chance for you to stand on the shoulders of giants. You meet like-minded individuals participating in summer research, as well as incredibly intelligent and talented CMU faculty members. For those focusing on graduate school as the next step, having the experience of working on a large project with CMU resources is an invaluable experience.

James Hopkins
Wells College (NSF-REU '09)

After having studied in Copenhagen, Denmark the semester prior to coming to work at CMU, I could not accurately describe myself as the most motivated person to be working long hours in a lab. But lucky for me CMU gradually introduced me back into lab work. The boot camp class is well taught and a fun way to practice or in some cases learn new skills required for my summer work. Unfortunately the honeymoon period could not last forever and we all eventually went our separate ways. My PI was understanding and knew that I had not had an exorbitant amount of lab experience. We worked slowly in the beginning, learning the flow of the lab and finding where everything was hidden, but after a week or two my work load picked up significantly and I was working mostly independently except for a meeting or two with my PI every week. My main hope with coming to CMU was to gain insight into what graduate school would feel like and to further my experience in a lab setting. I accomplished both of my goals with a renewed sense of direction towards graduate education in the sciences.

Karen Kormuth
Washington & Jefferson (NSF-REU '09)

My experience at Carnegie Mellon was a wonderful journey and a terrific way to spend my summer. I learned more here than I would ever learn sitting in a classroom. Every student thinking about pursuing a career in science should have an experience like I did. The REU program gave me a chance to explore a profession intimately and meet other students who were interested in science as well.

Kevin Watkins
Mount Union College (NSF-REU '09)

Through the research program this summer, I have learned quite a lot. I knew that research takes more time than most people anticipate, but I have come to appreciate exactly how much it takes. Through this process, I learned about problem solving and thinking about your results. It is also a unique experience as it gives perspective into what graduate school might be like. Looking back on this experience, I know I am coming out better equipped to participate in the scientific world beyond this point.

Alex Ellison
Connecticut College (NSF-REU '09)

Carnegie Mellon exposed me to an undergraduate experience that enabled me to gain honest and robust insight into what graduate school would be like. My lab was welcoming, helpful, and supportive, but the vast majority of my work was independent. I was constantly challenged, both in terms of critical thinking and sheer will power, to achieve the highest standard of work I was capable of. I have a much better understanding of what I am capable of and where my skills need to improve. I also have a much better understanding of what I can do with the skills I have acquired throughout my undergraduate career, and where those skills and my personal interests align in terms of post-graduation options.

Kathryn Caperna
St. Mary's College of Maryland (REU '06)

I have no doubt that my experiences at Carnegie Mellon last summer helped me tremendously as a graduate school candidate. I hope this year's REUs enjoy their time at CMU just as much as I did!

Ashley Hurt
Washington and Lee University (REU '06)

I do believe that Carnegie Mellon was a good, eye-opening experience for me. I would recommend any person interested in pursuing research as a career to apply to (Carnegie Mellon's) program because I honestly believe that I had a true research
experience at CMU.

Ed Briercheck
University of Toledo (REU '05)

... it was my summer spent in Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program that truly ignited my passion for scientific research. During these ten weeks I was immersed in a novel project under the direction of mentors Dr. Brooke McCartney and Dr. Bruce Armitage. Furthermore, I had the experience of living and learning with other many other students.  Dr. McCartney not only gave me the opportunity to explore an independent project in the lab, but have the ever important experience of working in a collaboration. Throughout this time I learned various techniques from PCR to capillary electrophoresis. Along with time in the lab we also had the opportunity to hear a series of lectures from primary investigators working in various areas throughout the department. Many nights a group of fellow students and I would share ideas, frustrations and successes from the day in the laboratory intermixed with laughter during dinner. I would later be reunited with one of my fellow SURP students at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research in Asheville, North Carolina where were each accepted to present our work. It was this aspect of the program that made the CMU program different to many other undergraduate research experiences. It was a total immersion in the research environment, giving students a chance to learn from everyone - from the primary investigator to fellow students.

Bevlynn Joseph
University of Maryland Eastern Shore (SURP '02)

I had a wonderful experience participating in the SURP program at Carnegie Mellon University. Although I participated in a summer undergraduate research program in 2001, I never really enjoyed research the way some of my classmates did. Now, after SURP, I can honestly say that research is not only interesting and enjoyable, but also immensely rewarding. I woke each morning anxious to continue my research. In Dr. Jonathan Minden's lab, I was not treated like just another summer student, but instead I was made to feel like an important member of the "Minden Lab." This program opened my eyes to the vast research possibilities that I may have in the future.

Gregory Porreca
The College of New Jersey (SURP '01)