Students attending Rose-Hulman are investing in their future. Through summer internships and research experiences for undergraduates, Rose students gain skills and insights for personal and professional success. From embarking on nanoengineering research at prestigious labs across the country to working at companies such as Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Rose students are assuring their college education is paying off in dividends.
Donen’s project is focused on 3D-printing biosilica fibers to be used for fiber optic applications and determining their physical/mechanical properties. She worked with a 3D bioprinter in the lab to develop the fibers (made from fungal cells and sodium alginate), and then determined the fiber properties using tensile testing and SEM.
“I have enjoyed researching in a materials science lab this summer because it has allowed me to gain unique knowledge and experience working with biomaterials,” said Donen. “I also love working in the beautiful city of Boulder, Colorado because of the amazing outdoor opportunities, like hiking and rock climbing!”
“In the future, I hope to continue biomaterials research and attend graduate school to earn my Ph.D. Rose is doing a stellar job at preparing me for this goal. After my first year, I already have two related research experiences in the field (through Rose Research Fellows and YSSRP)!”
At Rose, Donen is involved in Greek Life (AOII sorority), Society of Women Engineers and concert band/orchestra. She is also a Noblitt Scholar.
Andi Fioni, a senior from Cincinnati, Ohio, is an engineering design major and materials minor. This summer, Fioni interned with Ethicon Endo-Surgery as a design co-op on an R&D robotic surgical device team.
The Cincinnati location of Ethicon Endo-Surgery is developing the robotic version of various laparoscopic surgical devices based on the predicate handheld devices (the surgical robot itself is being developed in California). Fioni worked on designing and prototyping fixtures for testing various device requirements.
“I get to do plastic and resin 3D printing!” said Fioni. “I’ve also been able to watch one of our devices get built from start to finish … watching 100+ components come together to form a surgical device.”
At Rose, Fioni is involved with the climbing club. Next quarter, she will be doing research in composites with the mentorship of Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Matt Riley.
Gillian Gorocica, a senior from Los Angeles, California, is a biology major with a minor in biochemistry and molecular biology. This summer Gorocica interned for Katelyn M. Atkins, MD, PhD in the Radiation Oncology Department at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, located adjacently to Beverly Hills, CA.
Her research involved collecting data for a study called EMBARC, which tracks immune measures, including antibody levels, in tens of thousands of Cedars-Sinai patients who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Her portion, specifically, looked at cardiovascular events that occurred in patients with and without a cancer diagnosis and seeing if they worsened post COVID-19 infection; and in the cancer cohort, post diagnosis and treatment. Gorocica worked on collecting data for a study involving women with HER2 positive breast cancer and its relation to cardiac events.
“One thing I loved about my research experience is how much time that I got to spend with the other interns as well as my Principal Investigator (PI),” said Gorocica. “I worked with the other interns every day and always have the opportunity to chat with my PI (as long as she is not with patients) about anything — whether it’s questions regarding the studies, or future academic plans, or even just our day to day lives. Having that open relationship with my PI allowed me to have a deeper interpersonal connection that transcends just the line of a strictly PI-intern working relationship.”
At Rose, Gorocica is involved in Greek Life as a member of the Chi Omega Gamma Lambda chapter where she previously served on the executive board. She is in her second year as co-captain, and fourth year participating, on the Rose-Hulman Varsity Cheerleading Team. Gorocica also volunteers at Union Hospital as part of their Cuddler Program in the NICU. She was a member of the RHIT varsity swimming and diving team and spent two years as president of the Pre-Medical Club.
Lillian Heinze is a senior majoring in chemical engineering with minors in biochemical engineering and music. This summer, she interned for Sazerac at the Barton 1792 Distillery. She worked on seven different projects with her favorite one calculating the heat removal from the fermenters to size a new cooling water system for the plant.
“Something I love about this experience is getting to taste the products that are made by Sazerac,” said Heinze. “My coursework at Rose has helped me to find a career that I really enjoy and will be able to pursue in the future.”
At Rose, she is involved in the symphony orchestra, Alpha Chi Sigma, Rose chapter of American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and Omega Chi Epsilon.
Ben Joens, a senior from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is majoring in computer science/data science with a minor in Japanese. This summer, Joens interned at Carnegie Mellon University as part of the Robotics Institute Summer Scholars program in the Auton Lab.
Joens is developing a pipeline for data fusion that will take in datasets from various sources that contain non-identical features and distributions and combine them in a quick and efficient manner to train machine learning models. The work is motivated by the need for less complex solutions that can function in constantly changing environments, such as healthcare and defense.
“I love being able to interact with some of the top visionaries and scholars in machine learning … having access to these types of relationships is truly invaluable,” said Joens. “My ultimate goal is to make a positive impact and add value to society. … Rose has more than prepared me to develop innovative products and work with a diverse group of people.”
At Rose, Joens is the vice president of Esports Club and serves as an admissions tour guide. He is also a CSSE Mentoring Program student leader and teaching assistant/grader. He is a member of the Robotics – Robomasters and Mars Rover team, the soccer club, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and Blue Key Honor Society.
“I am hoping to publish a paper based on my research this summer,” said Sebastian. “My goal is to see a technology I research and help develop be produced in industry. I want to create more efficient devices to increase computational efficiency and thus decrease power consumption, contributing to a more sustainable future. After graduating next spring, I plan to pursue a PhD in Electrical Engineering with a specialized focus in 3:5 semiconductor fabrication and characterization.”
At Rose, Sebastian is the personnel chair of Chi Omega. She is also involved with Alpha Phi Omega, works as an admissions ambassador and on the orientation team. Sebastian is also a Noblitt Scholar.
Sarah Shibuya, a senior from Portland, Oregon, is double majoring in biomedical engineering and biochemistry/molecular biology. This summer, she worked in a neuroscience/biomedical engineering lab as part of a summer research opportunities program at The Pennsylvania State University.
Shibuya’s focus was to look at how alcohol consumption influences neuron excitability in mice. She used MATLAB, a coding program, to differentiate between neuron subtypes based on cell membrane characteristics found through patch-clamp electrophysiology. Additionally, Shibuya worked on assembling a field potential electrophysiology rig.
“In the future, I hope to research neurodegenerative diseases, specifically Alzheimer’s/dementia,” said Shibuya. “The biomedical engineering program at Rose-Hulman has really emphasized hands-on work and problem-solving. Because of this, I have a thorough background in mechanical, electrical, programming and biological concepts that I have been able to apply to my current internship. … I am also able to form relationships directly with my professors. All the professors are extremely kind and approachable, and many of them have helped me directly with career advice and applications.”
At Rose, Shibuya is on the soccer team and is a thrower for track and field. She is also the service chair of Alpha Chi Sigma, mentors female high school students interested in higher education in the EMERGE program, as well as first-year/sophomore students in the Rose Research Fellows program. Shibuya is also a Noblitt Scholar.