By Greta Petry
Dimitri Vaughn of Syracuse, N.Y., is a senior chemistry major at UAlbany with experience in nanoscale science research, thanks to an internship he had at the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) over the summer.
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Senior chemistry major Dimitri Vaughn had a unique internship at the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering over the summer. (Photo by Mark Schmidt)
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Working under the guidance of Associate Professor of Nanoscience Robert Brainard, Vaughn conducted research in the lab and was a part of Brainard's research group. Brainard's research areas are photoresists, small molecule and polymer synthesis, and reaction mechanisms. Photoresists are light-sensitive materials used to pattern the nanoscale features on microchips.
While Vaughn was the only undergraduate in the research group, he held his own by asking as many questions as the graduate students.
"Overall the experience has changed me," said Vaughn. "Research experience and summer internships take you out of the classroom. Instead of recollecting current knowledge, you are now given the opportunity to seek and create new knowledge." He was among 21 students from across the U.S., Canada, and Russia who participated in the prestigious Summer Internship Program at the NanoCollege this summer.
Brainard said Vaughn's chemistry background was a perfect fit.
"Intellectually I treated him like a first-year or second-year graduate student, and he generally impressed me with his understanding of science and chemistry," Brainard said.
Vaughn, who plans to be a chemistry professor and researcher, found out about this full-time paid summer internship by attending an open house for the NanoCollege. His research with post-doctoral student Srividya Revuru involved working on creating a third-generation fluid that, if successful, will be placed between the exposure tool and the photoresist. This technology is called 193 nm immersion.
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Vaughn's mentor was Associate Professor of Nanoscience Robert Brainard, an expert in photoresists, light-sensitive materials used to pattern the nanoscale features on microchips. (Photo by Mark Schmidt)
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Of his mentor, Vaughn said, "Professor Brainard is creative and outgoing, a good person and an expert in resist chemistry. It was very beneficial working under his guidance. I felt accepted and very comfortable in his lab."
Vaughn had the opportunity to use the latest equipment.
"CNSE provides access to several types of state-of-the-art equipment in lithography, microscopy, and diffraction. Our project focused on organic chemistry," said Vaughn.
Vaughn said this experience with independent research "has allowed me to sharpen the skills necessary to successfully advance in the field of chemistry. It has taught me how to be self-motivated, disciplined, professional, and creative when solving problems. The techniques learned in organic synthesis and characterization will also be very useful in the future."
Vaughn said the best way to find out about research and internship opportunities is to network. "Talk to your professors and search faculty online to see who has research in your areas of interest," he said.
He added, "UAlbany has provided me with a fulfilling experience that I can never forget because it is a part of who I am. The relationships that I have built here will last a lifetime. The personal development that I have experience will carry me throughout my professional career and future goals. Most of all, I cherish the diversity that exists here and admire the University's ability to incorporate people from many diverse backgrounds into our academic environment. I believe that this factor makes us a unique campus in which ideas cross-fertilize and innovations in education flourish."
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