For Immediate Release:
Contact:
Alesa Martin, Director of Institutional Marketing
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Phone: 304.442.1005 ● Fax: 304.442.3052
Email: Alesa.Martin@mail.wvu.edu
High School Student Participates in Two Week Internship at WVU Tech
Montgomery, WV – Maria Bryson, a senior high student at St. Joseph Central Catholic High School, is looking into her college options through a two week internship at West Virginia University Institute of Technology’s Department of Chemistry.
Maria, who is planning to major in Chemistry and later apply to Pharmacy school, admitted that the best way to find out about a program is to try it out first hand. “I’ve learned a lot. More than I expected.”
Maria spent a large portion of her internship working alongside Dr. Jay Wiedemann, an assistant professor of Chemistry at WVU Tech. Wiedemann explained that WVU Tech’s program emphasizes utilizing industry grade machinery and instrumentation especially since graduates will be expected to be proficient in utilizing this level of instrumentation when they go out into the real world.
Wiedemann indicated that the projects Maria has been working with involve using typical Biochemistry techniques. “She is learning proper procedures,” quoted Wiedemann. Weidemann, who specializes in trace metal analysis research in biochemical systems, has helped to teach Maria about how chemistry impacts everything from research and development to forensic science.
“I’m learning to apply the basics,” said Maria. According to her, she has been able to apply many of the different fundamentals she had learned through her high school science and chemistry courses and see the outcomes first-hand.
Dr. Annette Howells, an assistant professor of Chemistry at WVU Tech, indicated that she was very impressed with Maria’s performance on a research project for semi-conductor catalysts. “She is really outgoing and intelligent, and exhibits a lot of talent,” quoted Howells.
“I’m really impressed with the faculty. They want you to succeed,” stated Maria in regards to her experience with the internship. She indicated that the professors provided an atmosphere that was very conducive for learning.
Maria is a resident of Huntington, WV. She is planning to attend WVU Tech in the Fall.
WVU Institute of Technology, a regional campus of West Virginia University, is a four-year institution that offers a variety of baccalaureate degree programs in high-demand fields such as Engineering, Nursing, Printing Management, Business Management, Life Sciences, Computer Science, Health Services Administration and many more. Nestled in the scenic Appalachian Mountains, WVU Tech is located in Montgomery, WV, and offers academic centers in Beckley, Charleston, Huntington, and Oak Hill. For more information about the WVU Tech, call 888-554-TECH or log-on to www.wvutech.edu.
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Caption for attached photo (DSCN1432.jpg): Maria Bryson and Dr. Jay Wiedemann conduct a chemistry experiment during her two week internship at WVU Tech.