Five Union College students are the only undergraduates invited to present their scientific research projects at an annual graduate-level conference this week in San Francisco. The 2004 Semiconductor Research Corporation's
(SRC) Graduate Fellowship Conference, which runs from Sept. 19-21, showcases the research of students from colleges and universities throughout the country who have received fellowships and research grants scholarships for their work on semiconductor-related projects.
The participating Union students are senior Mayrita Arrandale of North Blenheim, N.Y., who is majoring in biology and chemistry; junior Michael Boyer of Portland, Ore., a computer engineering major; senior Jennifer Eliseo of Burnt Hills, N.Y., a chemistry major; junior Robert Katuska of Southborough, Mass., a math and physics major; and senior Evan Leibner of Bellmore, N.Y., who is majoring in chemistry and physics. Associate Professor of Chemistry Michael Hagerman, who is an advisor for two of the research projects, will be traveling with the students.
<PARRANDALE p 21.“Union has a long tradition and dedication to student research,” said President Roger H. Hull. “The fact that Union students are the only undergraduates invited to participate in the SRC conference speaks to the strength and depth of the research here.” Much of the funding for the summer research projects was provided by IBM Corp.
Jim Libous, senior technical staff member of IBM's Engineering & Technology Services, Technology Group and a member of the SRC technical advisory board, said Union is unique not only among its peer colleges but among the more technically focused universities in its blend of the liberal arts, sciences and engineering. “Union's tradition of innovation combined with its cutting-edge programs and Converging Technologies initiative sets it apart from other colleges,” Libous said. “This is a unique tremendous opportunity for these highly talented students and professors to showcase their work research, and IBM is pleased to assist. Collaborating with outstanding schools like Union provides IBM with early access to relevant semiconductor-related research and to the future leaders of our industry.”
Union's Converging Technologies effort brings together engineering and liberal arts disciplines to give students an understanding that goes beyond that provided by a traditional major.
Larry Sumney, SRC President and CEO said, “The SRC and MARCO sponsoring organizations support undergraduate research as the most promising forum for building the pipeline of US students for graduate study in disciplines of interest to the semiconductor industry. Building relationships between outstanding undergraduate institutions like Union College and graduate research programs supported by the SRC and MARCO is vital to future of the industry. The SRC is pleased to demonstrate the value of undergraduate research at this national annual technical conference.”
SRC, based in Research Triangle Park, N.C., is a research management consortium of technology companies including IBM, Intel, National Semiconductor Corp. and Texas Instruments. SRC plans and manages a program of basic and applied university research on behalf of its participating members with the goal of defining common industry needs, investing in and managing research to expand industry knowledge, and attracting premier students to study semiconductor technology. Currently, SRC sponsors research at universities worldwide. Since it was established in 1982, SRC has funded more than $500 million in long-term semiconductor research contracts.