Emma Schultz, recipient of the Lambert Fellowship
Training and inspiring the next generation of interdisciplinary scientists is central to the mission of the Chemistry of Life Processes Institute at Northwestern. This year, four aspiring scientists will join a growing list of students who have received funding through the Institute’s Executive Advisory Board members to receive hands-on experience and training at the intersection of multiple scientific disciplines.
Emma Schultz, a rising junior chemistry major, received the Institute’s most prestigious undergraduate award: the Lambert Fellowship. She will be working in the laboratory of Thomas O’Halloran (chemistry), inaugural director, CLP.
“I am so grateful for the Lambert Fellowship and the opportunity to receive mentorship, learn to think in depth about research, and develop greater presentation skills,” says Schultz.
Established in 2010 by Dr. Andrew Chan, CLP Executive Advisory Board Chair, the Lambert Fellows Program provides multi-year funding for rising sophomores and juniors majoring in chemistry to conduct laboratory research under the mentorship of CLP faculty members. Awardees receive a summer stipend as well as funding that covers research supplies and conference travel. Fellows work closely with an Institute faculty member to develop their research proposals and budget allocations. Graduate student and postdoctoral associate mentors also work closely with the students. The program aims to mentor and produce a cadre of enthusiastic, well-trained undergraduates with an entrepreneurial mindset. Fellowships begin in early summer and continue throughout the academic year for a minimum period of two years.
Emma Herzog, a rising senior chemistry major, Tyler Kramlich, a rising fifth year double major in Chemical Engineering and Music Composition, and Olivia Pura, a rising senior double major in Biology and Slavic Literatures & Languages, were the recipients of the Institute’s Summer Scholars research awards. Each will receive a stipend to spend the summer quarter working in CLP faculty laboratories. Working in collaboration with CLP researchers, students will learn the most innovative approaches to problem solving using methods developed by chemists, biologists, engineers, physicists, mathematicians and clinicians.
Since the programs’ inception, more than 60 undergraduates have participated in both summer and year-round programs, including the Chicago Area Undergraduate Research Symposium Award, awarded in the fall to support academic year research. Eighty-three percent of CLP-funded graduates have pursued PhDs at top graduate schools, enrolled in Medical Scientist Training programs, or attended medical school. One former student is attending law school and another is in veterinary school. In addition, CLP undergrads have co-authored more than 45 papers based on their work.
by Lisa La Vallee
Feature image: Summer scholars Emma Herzog and Tyler Kramlich.