Summer Research – 2016 REU at Penn State

During the summer between my freshman and sophomore years I was able to attend a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at The Pennsylvania University. I learned so much from this experience and had a lot of fun while doing it. My graduate student mentor explained new concepts really well and I learned so much about what graduate school is about. I was able to gain experience in what doing research is about by completing my own short research project and presenting; through a 5-minute talk and at a poster session (me and my poster at right).

 

Abstract of project: Abstract_2016_S.Lewis

 

Image created from my research

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Guiding Words – Challenge by Donna Waltz

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This is a work of art called Challenge made by Donna M Waltz, a digital artist and scientist. While I was with my father at a convention, Waltz’s works interested us so we went over and started talking with her. At that time I was not sure what I wanted to do in college and then later on in life. I was conflicted because I enjoyed both scientific things and artistic pursuits, such as playing my piano and drawing landscape pictures. This came up as we were talking with her and she pointed out to me that just because you choose to become a scientist it does not mean that you cannot also pursue the arts. Although it seems very obvious now, back then I felt that choosing one thing would mean giving up the other. Now, whenever I look at this picture hanging up on my wall, I am reminded about the duality and even multiplicity of many things. One thing doesn’t define anyone’s personality, dreams, or interests. Just because you are a scientist doesn’t mean you can’t have skills and knowledge of and obtain great enjoyment from the arts. Like Waltz signed on the back of my work, “You can be an Artistic Scientist!”.

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Artifacts

Welcome to my artifacts page. Posted here are some items that I consider to represent little pieces of my academic interests, achievements, and life-views. Feel free to take a look around.