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Nine members of the Hamilton College class of 2006 are participating in Hamilton's summer science research program. Amanda Bennett and Grant McSurdy are working with Professor of Chemistry Ian Rosenstein, Nicholas Campany is working with Professor of Biology Herman Lehman, Emma Timmims-Schiffman is working with Silas D. Childs Professor of Chemistry Robin Kinnel, Devin Soule and Matthew Van Hook are working with Associate Dean of Faculty and Professor of Chemistry Tim Elgren, and Amber Gillis, Christy House and Rebecca Shepard are working with Professor of Chemistry George Shields.

The nine members of the class of 2006 applied to the program after receiving a newsletter from the college.  Applicants submitted recommendations and a letter explaining why the experience would benefit them and how they were qualified for the opportunity.  The summer science research program runs 10 weeks and will conclude in the final week of July.

Bennett and McSurdy are isolating complex organic molecules for possible pharmaceutical use. Bennett was interested in the program as a means of further exploring organic chemistry after taking a course in her senior year. She feels that the program has given her an advantage as an incoming first year student and will participate in Hamilton's Adirondack Adventure program later this summer.  McSurdy, who has participated in summer research at other academic institutions, decided to apply to the Hamilton program in order to work with the science faculty and get to know the department. He applied to work with Rosenstein because he felt organic chemistry was the area he knew the least about, and Rosenstein's project sounded the most interesting and complex. He has found the experience rewarding and has consulted several professors and current Hamilton students about his course selection for the upcoming semester.

Timmims-Schiffman is extracting compounds from sponges to look for indications of anti-carcinogenic activity.  She felt the opportunity was one she might not have the chance to do again, and asked, "Who wouldn't want to do it?" Timmims-Schiffman believes she has learned a lot of information she would not have learned otherwise and has enjoyed to opportunity to work closely with professors and other students. She shared, "When I was first here, Rob [Gordon '04] would help me out a lot and make sure I understood everything I was doing." Reflecting on her experience Timmims-Schiffman commented that it had been a lot of fun and that she was very sad at the thought of leaving.

Gillis, House and Shepard are working on cancer research as part of Hamilton's MERCURY project, directed by Shields, and using Hamilton's newly acquired supercomputers. Gillis, interested in a concentration in the sciences, was unsure if she wanted to pursue a career in the field and found the summer research program to be the perfect opportunity to explore her level of interest. She feels she has learned a lot about computers and has vastly improved her understanding of chemistry. House, the daughter of Betty House, the Hamilton Assistant Director of Publications, has worked on campus for the last few years but was very excited about the opportunity to work in the Chemistry Department with Shields. She has enjoyed getting to know the professors and several upperclassmen who she can turn to for help and advice during the coming semester.

Shepard first heard about the program during an open house. She spoke to Shields about the opportunity in depth and is excited to be working with him this summer. Shepard has enjoyed her time in the lab, has learned a lot about computers through her research. Gillis, House and Shepard will be participating in the first undergraduate conference on chemistry to be hosted by Hamilton College at the end of July.

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