Being given the trust and responsibility to lead important decisions as well as the opportunity to work with world-class researchers and impact society are just some of the benefits of receiving the John P. Cunningham Internship (Chemistry) and the Richard Cunningham Engineering Internship awards, say StFX student recipients.
Allie Clark and Noah Ruscica are each recipients of the John P. Cunningham Internship (Chemistry) and Lyza Ells received the Richard Cunningham Engineering Internship. Each internship provides $8,500 for summer research work under the supervision of a StFX faculty member.
SPARKED DEEPER UNDERSTANDING
“It is an honour to be the recipient of a Cunningham research award. I am grateful for this award for giving me the opportunity to work with faculty whose passion has sparked a deeper interest within me throughout my research experience. Through this opportunity I have gained a deeper understanding of the micellar systems I investigate, and it has motivated me to continue the investigation in the future,” says Ms. Clark, a fourth year advanced chemistry major who is supervised by Dr. Gerry Marangoni.
She investigated the thermodynamics and physiochemical properties of micellar systems using calorimetry, dynamic light scattering (DLS) experiments, and NMR spectroscopy.
“I focused on the anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), more commonly known as sodium lauryl sulfate in industry which is used to formulate many self care products, detergents and pharmaceuticals. Exchanging sodium, the inorganic counterion associated with the surfactant, with more hydrophobic counterions has shown significant changes in the energetics and morphologies of the system. These changes can potentially lead to more optimal industrial formulations as fat emulsifiers, wetting agents and drug delivery systems.”
She says the experience has allowed her to learn from some of the best researchers in their respective fields.
“Working alongside well-experienced researchers is something I deeply value because it is an opportunity that most students do not get to experience. It has helped me gain a new confidence in my technical laboratory skills through hands-on experience, as well as in guiding peers through certain techniques.
“Working in the StFX chemistry department as a summer research student does not only strengthen chemistry related laboratory skills, but it helps shape you into a hard-working, motivated individual in general.”
MEANT A LOT
Mr. Ruscica of Aurora, ON is completing an honours chemistry degree and biochemistry concentration and is supervised by Dr. Erwan Bertin. He agreed this opportunity has meant a lot to him.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to work on a project that I am passionate about, and to be able to develop my skills outside of the classroom environment. I appreciate that I am working on a project that has the possibility of making an impact in the world, that being, removing pollutants from our water systems.”
He investigated different metals and their catalytic activity for Urea oxidation, a proposed anode reaction in CO2 electrolysers.
“We are trying to identify the products formed and to pick the most selective catalyst (selective meaning it produces the products we want, which is mainly N2 gas and other, less harmful products that our starting material, urea). Urea is abundant in our water systems, it is also harmful to aquatic life hence the current project in trying to decrease the levels of urea in our water systems.”
He says this project has benefitted him in that he is now a published author. “With intentions of continuing in academia, I am thrilled to have been able to contribute to scientific literature at this point in my career. This project has also helped prepare me for some of the courses I will be taking in the fall, polishing up some skills and being exposed to different instrumentation that some courses are unable to cover.”
A GREAT PRIVILEGE
“It has been such a privilege to spend the summer contributing to this important research. I am grateful to have had this opportunity,” says Ms. Ells of Antigonish NS who graduated in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science with an advanced major in physics and with Diploma in Engineering.
Her research centered around improving our understanding of a relatively new technology for measuring methane called backscattered tunable diode laser spectroscopy (bs-TDLAS). “These bs-TDLAS sensors can be mounted on drones and use the change in intensity of an emitted laser beam that is reflected off the ground beneath it to determine the concentration of methane present in a column of air,” she says.
“These sensors have great potential to measure methane emitted from landfills, however, knowledge is lacking as to how they perform under a range of real-world conditions. My work involved designing and undertaking a series of experiments to determine the response of these sensors to variables such as ground cover, altitudes, angles of incidence, lighting, and wind.”
TRUST AND RESPONSIBILITY
Ms. Ells, who was supervised by Dr. Dave Risk, says being given the trust and responsibility to lead decisions on such an important project has been very meaningful.
“Every morning this summer I’ve looked forward to going to work on this project. Climate change and environmental issues have always been very important to me, and I feel very grateful that my work will directly impact these issues.”
Ms. Ells is looking forward to completing her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering starting this September at Dalhousie University. “I have no doubt that the research experience I have gained over this past summer, and the knowledge I have gained through my last four years at StFX, will be the keys to my success in this next chapter of my studies.”
