Grant makes research presentation possible for Carroll student Allison Tomczyk

Chemistry major Allison Tomczyk ’18 has taken advantage of several research opportunities during her time at Carroll. In summer 2016, she worked with Dr. Joseph Piatt on a Pioneer Scholar undergraduate research project to examine the cyanotoxins produced by harmful algal blooms in Green Bay, Wis.

In summer 2017, she was one of four students to spend part of the summer in Glasgow, Scotland at the University of Strathclyde to complete a research project. This experience was thanks to the Chemistry Research Education Abroad and Transcultural Experience (CREATE) Program, made possible by a $250,000 International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) grant awarded to Carroll University from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

In the fall, she presented the results of her project at the Research Experiences for Undergraduates Symposium in Alexandria, Va. This prestigious symposium is hosted by the Council on Undergraduate Research for students from the U.S. who were nominated by their mentors from Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) or IRES. Mentors recommend students based on their excellent research work funded by the NSF.

“At this symposium, Allison networked with other young scientists from across the U.S., planting the seeds for possible future scientific collaborations as their careers develop. She was fortunate to have the chance to present her research one-on-one to the program director responsible for the NSF grant that funded her work, which can only be a plus for Carroll’s future grant applications,” stated Dr. Kent Molter, distinguished lecturer in chemistry at Carroll University and coordinator of the CREATE Program.

Photo: Allison discussing her research with Dr. Maija Kukla, program director for International Science and Engineering at the NSF.