Grad Story #1]]>

Neville Forlemu 

Chemistry



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Researcher, Icahn Medical Institute 
UNCF Merck Science Initiative Fellow '08 


On choosing UND... "UND provided a good support network for me throughout my studies. The community and the school was really helpful. Grad school is tough. You have to have people that constantly encourage you, and can create opportunities to excel. I had that support from my supervisor and my colleagues." 


On the Department of Chemistry's research at UND... "When I began my degree, my hope was to design and do research for a pharmaceutical company. But I learned there are many paths to achieve the same goals. The methods I have learned in computational chemistry complement and sometimes set new hypothesis for experimenters to do more research. Ithink Ican apply many of the same methods in drug discovery. I am excited about the research at UND because it has set a great platform to apply its techniques to so many different things:" 


On receiving the Merck Award... "UND's program enabled me to present papers at conferences where I met people who helped by asking questions and who challenged me to think through my research projects. This framework played a huge role in the proposal for the Merck grant and in getting my job. I am truly indebted to have worked under that framework at UND:" 


Advice for new students? * Believe in yourself. * Make use of all the resources that the University has to offer. * Learn from your peers and their experiences. * Develop good relationships with faculty. They've been there!
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Grad Story #3]]>

Mei Lan Lo 

Education



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Currently working on a Ph.D. in Teaching & Learning 

Inaugural recipient of the Hui-Mei Chen Hung Memorial Scholarship which provides students from the National Taiwan Normal University with the opportunity to attend the University of North Dakota for graduate study. 


On what the scholarship means... "This means a lot to me. If I didn't have this fellowship I could never have made my dream come true to study in a foreign country. And because it's based on goodwill of other people, I am always reminded that, later on, I'll use any opportunity to help others too. I have to pass this on to others."

On coming from Taiwan to study in North Dakota... "The international center does on excellent job. They organize all kinds of activities so that we can meet other intemational students. I always have something to do!"

On UND... "The Department of Teaching and Learning, has a very nice, generous faculty. It's a very good learning environment here. This is a nice place to study, to spend time."


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Grad Story #4]]>

Deborah Dooley 

Space Studies



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M.S. Space Studies '09

After working with the Presidential Helicopter program, Deborah wanted to focus her career on human space flight and spacecraft. Earning her Space Studies degree helped her to achieve her goal, and Deborah now works on the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle for NASA.

"Human space flight is extremely challenging....everything I learned at UND, in every class, whether it's policy, space law, engineering, or orbital mechanics...everything has been immediately applicable to the work that I'm doing right now for NASA. It as built a really strong foundation for me. I can fill a leadership position and be confident that I know what is going on."

"The Space Studies program was perfect for me and it's perfect for others who have a global view. If we can find a way to use satellite technology to improve education in rural India, for example, that's what we should be doing. The work we do today is the foundation that future generations will build upon."

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Grad Story #5]]>

Rich Patterson 

Early Childhood Education



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Master of Science, Early Childhood Education, '09. McNair Scholar. Graffiti Artist. Early Childhood Educator. Mentor. 

 

Former professional basketball player, Rich Patterson always valued working with kids and helping them to succeed. His path to education, while unconventional, has given him the tools to continue making a difference. Rich's passion for making education available to those in need is infectious. He is now sharing his experience, his knowledge and his research working in a literary center that caters to children of low income families, with learning difficulties. 

 

"We need to motivate males to teach! Make it appealing, make more programs male-friendly. Places are looking for men in early childhood education. I think it's important research. It's something I am really passionate about. 

 

"The decision to leave New York and come to UND... this journey...was about so much more (than money). It was about finding out who I could help, how I could make a impact on young children and be a positive influence on people. I wanted to be a role model for them. These kids are our future. That's why I teach! If I can help one of these kids become a productive member of society, my job is done. If I reach many? Wow! What a gift!"


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Grad Story #6]]>

Josef Beranek 

Chemistry



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Degree: Ph.D. in Chemistry, graduated '10 
Josef is from the Czech Republic. 


Research interest: to discover a new analytical approach for the determination of oligomeric structures in air particulate matter.

Recognition: awarded the Dr. Roland Severson Graduate Research Scholarship in 2008.

Most valuable new skills: critical thinking, and scientific writing.

Best opportunities: presenting research to peers at professional conferences; working with recognized faculty; hands-on experience with the instruments. "At UND. I have been able to conduct aIl of the research I need. We have state-of-the-art equipment and we learn to use it. It's a wonderful experience....students have the opportunity to work directly with the instruments rather than have technicians do the work for them."


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Grad Story #7]]>

George Davies 

Sociology & History



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His academic career led to numerous scholarly publications and a faculty position at the University of Iowa.]]>
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Grad Story #9]]>

Maury Searcy 

Doctor of Arts, History



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It had been a long time since I'd been a student and my first paper was terrible! But the faculty was very encouraging, and I put in a lot of hard work and a lot of time. But what was really good about the Department and the faculty, was that they're demanding- and I am a much better scholar for it.

The experience here at UND (coming back to school) was an emotional and personal gamble for me that has now paid dividends. I'd recommend it highly."

The Doctor of Arts in History is a terminal degree and is the only one of its kind in the country. It is specifically designed with a pedagogical emphasis for students who are interested in teaching at the undergraduate level.
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Grad Story #2]]>

Mary Jo Titus 

Visual Art



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Mixed Media with an emphasis on Photography 
Department of Art and Design. 


On Presentation Opportunities... "Thankfully I had a lot of opportunities to present my work. As a McNair scholar I was asked to participate in a lot of their programs and presentations. I was also asked to present my work for the Women's Studies program too. I had also been a presenter on a panel at the SECAC (Southeastern College Art Conference) in West Virginia, and when I was there I discovered that graduate students could apply to be the chair - so I did! I presented as the chair the next year, which I have to say was phenomenal." 


On Getting Involved... "I got involved in a plethora of things across the board. I worked on the UND art collection, I've done exhibitions across campus, publications with other people, even just meetings with students and organizations. I loved doing that. I also worked with the North Dakota School for the Blind to help produce a series of prints - it was so fun and so cool."


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Grad Story #8]]>

Vishnu Reddy PhD 

Earth System Science & Policy



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UND has several advantages…While the program is rigorous, there's less pressure than at a place like MIT or Harvard, so you can grow on your own. Secondly, there are a lot more opportunities to learn. My advisor Mike Gaffey is one of the top people in the field for what I work in."

"Students should also take advantage of the Scholarly Forum. I would insist all grad students present their research as a poster or a talk. I always take advantage of any opportunity to talk about my research, especially with the public."

While a graduate student at UND, Vishnu had the honor of naming an asteroid that he had discovered after years of monitoring and research. He named the asteroid "North Dakota" making it one just a handful of asteroids named after a State in the US.

More recently he was awarded the Pellas Ryder Award from the Meteoritical Society and the Planetary Sciences Division of the Geological Society of America for the best student paper published in 2009.

"Graduate students need to realize that they need to do something they absolutely love. I always tell people not to compromise on their topic or area of expertise because this is your one opportunity to thrive. You have to be disciplined."

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Grad Story #10]]> Latin]]>
The discernment and discipline reinforced by this work served Harrison well as he went on to become a Justice for the Supreme Court of North Dakota.

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