Divya G. Shastry

With so many members of my family being doctors, engineers, and scientists, I always knew that I would pursue further education after getting an undergraduate degree. The School of Science Accelerated BS/PhD program allows me to actively and realistically pursue the idea of obtaining a PhD by the time I am 25. I have always been interested in the biological sciences and biological engineering and at RPI, I feel that the interdisciplinary approach to research allows me to have an integrated experience: here, I can both do science as well as see the direct application of my research.

Christian Schenkelberg

I am currently a second year biochemistry/biophysics graduate student performing research for Dr. Christopher Bystroff in the area of computational protein design of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based biosensors. The primary research focus of the Bystroff laboratory is in developing both computational and experimental processes for using GFP as a biosensor. This is accomplished by truncating the GFP beta barrel by removing one of the eleven beta strands that compose the barrel. The site of the deleted strand is then computationally designed to accommodate a peptide sequence from a pathogen whose detection is desired. In the presence of this peptide sequence, the GFP in theory will reconstitute the beta barrel, which restores green fluorescence, signaling the presence of the pathogen.

Evan Patton

I have always been intrigued by technology, which led me into computer science. While I had used computers for many years before, I was ten when I typed my first line of BASIC code. Since that day early in the fourth grade, I have learned a variety of languages suited to the many tasks programmers face. More importantly, however, is the fact that I did this without any supervision as my school district did not offer any programming classes at any point during my primary school career. This really defines my drive to go out into the world and forge my own path to new knowledge.

Chris Newhard

Upon starting at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, I was amazed at all the opportunities presented before me. From academics to organizations to social life, the prospects were overwhelming. I remember in particular, however, staring at the beautiful Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Sciences (aka Biotech). In this building was cutting edge research, and I hoped that I would be able to work in there by the time I was a senior. As fortune would have it, I was able to do so much sooner. Accepted into the Accelerated BS/PhD program, I began research in Biotech in my fourth semester. I went through four excellent rotations. Working in different fields of biology, I gained experience with working in different group cultures, and different research approaches.

Katherine Mezic

Even before coming to RPI, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in scientific research. I was just torn about whether I liked Chemistry or Biology more. After my first year at RPI, I discovered there was so much cross-over between the two disciplines that I didn’t have to choose; in fact much of the work done at RPI was interdisciplinary. Therefore, I was super excited when I was invited to apply to the School of Science Accelerated BS/PhD Program.

Charles Martin

My junior year in high school I took a physics class and knew then that I wanted to continue studying physics in college. The following summer I was enrolled at a summer studies program taking astronomy for five weeks and decided that I wanted to concentrate on astronomy and astrophysics.

Michael Lucking

When I entered RPI, I chose to study physics to address my concerns for the degradation of the environment. I hope that I can make significant contributions to solving the energy crisis in my lifetime. When I first learned of the Accelerated B.S./Ph.D. Program, I immediately saw the program as an excellent opportunity to work with top researchers early in my academic career. My passion for physics and the environment have led me to join Shengbai Zhang’s research group. The group is focused on solid state materials for hydrogen storage applications.

Josephine LoRicco

I was drawn to RPI out of a general love for all science. I started at RPI as an undeclared science major because I couldn’t decide what I liked the best. Even though I wasn’t sure what I wanted to major in I knew that I wanted to continue my education beyond a bachlor’s degree so the School of Science Accelerated BS/PhD Program seemed like a fantastic opportunity for me.

Matthew Klawonn

For the majority of my academic life I have been trying to get ahead. In my middle school days I joined a number of academic clubs to make the most of my education. My freshman year of high-school saw my taking summer courses purely to be on a faster track. Junior year I was introduced to the idea of attending graduate school, and with college credits that I received from The Governor's School for Computational Physics and the University of Tennessee, it seemed like I might get there faster than normal.

Nate James

I came to RPI in the fall of 2012 as an Undeclared Science major. Although I didn't know what I wanted to major in, I knew that I wanted to continue my education past the undergraduate level. In fact, the existence of the Accelerated BS/PhD program was a large factor in my decision to attend Rensselaer. After experiencing a variety of disciplines, I decided to declare as a Biochemistry and Biophysics major in the spring of 2012. When I received an invitation to the program in the fall of my sophomore year I did not hesitate to apply and was pleased to be accepted.

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