This year’s Summer Science Research Program celebrated a successful expansion of high-quality, off-site research opportunities, as well as an increase in the number of students taking advantage of the increased research opportunities.

NCSSM’s summer program has always offered a mix of on-campus research experiences; however, this year saw the inclusion of programs sponsored by nearby research institutions, including the Duke Optical Society, NCCU Physical Science, and the UNC Medical School Eating Disorders Clinic, all of which are expected to be offered again next summer along with additional new research opportunities.

“NCSSM students are eager for research experiences, and we offer a wide range that varies in subject matter, timing and intensity,” said Dr. Amy Sheck, NCSSM Dean of Science. “Summer is a wonderful time for research because students can focus intently on their work without competing distractions — like coursework!”

NCSSM’s Summer Science Research Program offers rising NCSSM seniors an opportunity to begin or further develop ongoing research. Students benefit from on-site faculty support and supervision and, when appropriate, transportation to off-site labs, where students have the advantage of access to research mentors and top-quality facilities and equipment.

On Friday, July 27, the School held its Summer Science Research Symposium, celebrating the culmination of the students’ summer work. Poster presentations were staged in the Bryan Lobby, and oral presentations were made throughout the afternoon on 2nd and 3rd floor Bryan classrooms, displaying the variety and quality of research conducted and the proficiency with which NCSSM students present their work.

Topics of presentations ranged from “Statistical Analysis of Google Flu Trend Data” to ““High Resolution Fluorescence Imaging of Tumor Microanatomy” and “Generation of Electricity from the Wind Draft of Cars.”

Rising senior Harish Pudukodu cues up his study on generating electricity from the wind draft of passing automobiles.

In addition to the Summer Science Research Program, NCSSM’s Online Summer Symposium was restructured to increase the time online students spend on campus as well as the time available for them to conduct research. NCSSM online students presented research on ecology and anthropology at the School’s Summer Science Research Symposium.

Application for the Summer Science Research Program begins in Februrary  and will be posted on the the NCSSM Science Webpage www.ncssm.edu/science. Selection is based on good academic and disciplinary standing.

For more photos of the Summer Science Symposium, click here.