BYU–Hawaii students received information through a chemistry seminar for programs that could give them access to rigorous but rewarding experience.
Professor Jeremy A. Johnson, Ph.D., held a seminar to introduce research internships at BYU–Provo. “Both of these [internship opportunities] are great opportunities for students to research and chances to expand your knowledge of chemistry, and to find new solutions to problems,” he said to students gathered for the seminar on Nov. 15.
Johnson introduced the internships for students interested in a biochemistry career or pathway. “The two programs are the REU and the Talmage research internship. The Talmage internship more exclusively caters to international students. Both of these scholarship opportunities are funded by the National Science Foundation.”
Going into detail on what the internships would entail, Johnson shared, “The REU program takes place in summer 2019, from May 15 to July 23. The theme for REU this year is to prepare students for graduate school and an industrial career. It is open to all U.S. citizens, and involves 10 week of intense research. The goal of the program is for the students to publish a paper about the research they conducted. Each students will receive a $5,000 stipend, free housing, and so forth.”
Johnson added that in addition to research, students will be able to visit chemical companies, workshops, and the opportunity to act as Chem Camp counselors. “With all that hard work you’ll be doing,” Johnson said, “you’ll also be able to enjoy some recreational activities that the Provo area has to offer. There will be times where the students go river rafting, camping, and hiking.”
After speaking to the students about the programs, Johnson took time to lecture on his area of research in Provo, researching terahertz and radiation.
“A terahertz, or THz,” Johnson said, “lies between infrared and microwaves on the radiation scale. In our lab, we are very good at generating strong bursts of THz light. Using intense pulses of THz, we are able to potentially control the structures of atoms. If we can study this energy more, we could increase the computing speed of smartphones and CPU’s.”
Johnson talked about the benefits of having a master’s degree in chemistry or biochemistry. He said, “The average salary is $118,000 a year, without the added cost of going to medical school. If any of you are interested in studying cancer and cells, but don’t think medical school is for you.”
Jefferey McFarland, a sophomore biomedicine major from California, said, “I’m really interested in these internship opportunities. I love biology and chemistry. The focus of the internship is not exactly the same as my major, but I want to expand my options and grow skills in different fields.”
Aram Centeno, a senior molecular biology major from the Philippines, already applied for the Talmage internship. He said, “Cancer is one of the diseases people keep trying to crack and know how to stop and prevent. I’ve always wanted to do cancer research. This internship is more chem-based, but any experience in science is always welcome.”
Johnson is the Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at BYU, and runs the Johnson Spectroscopy Lab at BYU, where he researches terahertz radiation. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree at BYU, and earned his Ph.D. at MIT in Boston, Massachusetts.
Applications for both of the internships are due by Jan. 31, 2019.
Writer: Elijah Hadley