Chanel Robinson-Hill, a senior majoring in Biology, was accepted into the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduates at the Temple Material Institute (TMI) this summer.

According to Temple’s website, the fellowship “will engage students in research projects spanning materials chemistry, physics, and engineering in a residential experience beginning May 21, 2018 and ending August 3, 2018.”

Each student selected for the program is associated with a specific research project, where he/she works closely with the faculty and other researchers. Selected students also receive a $6,000 stipend and on-campus housing.

This will be Robinson-Hill’s second fellowship in so many years at Temple University. Last summer, through the TMI, housed in the College of Science and Technology, she completed a research project on copper nanoparticles, which are of particular interest due to their historical application as coloring agents. One of the earliest uses of copper nanoparticles was to color glass and ceramics during the ninth century in Mesopotamia.

The research project topics are given to the students the first day of the program. “Last year I was very uncomfortable with the topic [copper nanoparticles] given to me, but I actually learned to enjoy it. I would have never had the opportunity to work with lasers otherwise,” she added.

Robinson-Hill is grateful for the experience last year and is looking forward to this one as well. She feels more prepared and more open to assigned research topics. “It made me look into research and how to use it. I came back to Neumann different. I am more motivated to succeed.”

Although she has one more year at Neumann until she graduates, she already has plans post-graduation. “I want to be a pediatric physician’s assistant, so I’m planning on applying to P.A. school, but I also want to apply to nurse practitioner and Ph.D. programs. I’ll see what I get into and then decide.”

To be eligible for the summer TMI program, applicants had to be rising juniors or seniors, be enrolled in a traditional science major and have a minimum overall GPA of 2.85. Requirements included a statement of interest, two letters of recommendation, a resume and transcript.