Chemistry student to present research on Capitol Hill
Courtney Wardwell discusses her research with her advisors, Dr. Brian Augustine (center) and Dr. Chris Hughes.
Courtney Wardwell became a fan of the TV drama CSI in high
school. Little did she know that the past time would spark an interest in
forensic science and research that would result in a trip to Congress.
Wardwell, a senior chemistry major, is one of 60 students
nationwide who was selected from more than 800 applicants to present their
undergraduate research at the 2013 Posters on the Hill event April 23-24 at the
Rayburn House Building in Washington, D.C.
An active member of the Alpha Phi sorority, Wardwell is the
fifth JMU chemistry student to participate in the event. The last JMU student to participate was Hanna
Shepherd, a 2009 geology alumna who now works for the Virginia Division of
Geology and Mineral Resources.
Wardwell will tell Virginia congressmen about her research
on “Increasing Thin Metal Film Adhesion to Polymer Substrates.” The research
focuses on quantifying the strength of the bond between gold film and plastic. Getting gold to stick to plastic is important for
a number of industries from biomedicine to computer chip manufacturers.
While Wardwell will enlighten her audience about the type of
research she has participated in, she will deliver an equally important message
about the value of undergraduate research and the need for continued funding. “The
research is key to deciding career paths,” said Wardwell. “It definitely helps
you realize, ‘I really love this. This is what I want to go into, or I don’t
really like this. It’s not what I want to get into.’”
Wardwell was accepted into four forensic science graduate programs for
the fall 2013 semester and has decided to continue her studies at Virginia
Commonwealth University, where she will pursue a master’s degree in forensic
science with a concentration in forensic chemistry on the drugs and toxicology
track.
Posters on the Hill is sponsored by The Council of
Undergraduate Research, an organization that encourages collaborative,
undergraduate research between students and faculty.
Published April 18, 2013
