Rob Gordon '03, Ryan Palmitesso '03, Robert Parker '04, and Jeffrey Rubino '05 are four of the science students working with Tim Elgren, associate dean of faculty and associate professor of chemistry, this summer at Hamilton. Their work is based on research students have completed in the past and a paper Elgren recently published.
Parker, a rising junior, is involved with research that resulted from successful research he completed and published with Elgren last year. Parker is trying to identify stable forms of an enzyme by using sol-gel, a substance similar to glass that preserves and stabilizes a protein while still allowing it to function and react. Overall, Parker sees the Hamilton Summer research opportunity and the sol-gel work as amazing experiences to work on up-and-coming scientific exploration.
Gordon, a rising senior at Hamilton, is working with Elgren on a similar project. Gordonadmits, "We think we isolated an intermediate which can not be seen in solution." In other words, success. An incredible success if, as Gordon and Elgren believe, it is also a new discovery. Gordon, who accompanied Elgren to Dartmouth to run two experiments, approached Elgren about the summer program at the suggestion of Hamilton's pre-med advisor, Leslie North. Gordon intends to continue his summer work as part of his senior project, the final requirement each Hamilton student must complete before receiving their diploma.
Palmitesso, also a rising senior, is spending his second summer in Elgren's lab as a summer science fellow. Palmitesso finds the summer program "a lot of fun and a good experience for my future career goals." While he admits his goals do not include graduate school, Palmitesso believes research experience in the sciences is a good background regardless of intended field. He plans to be a dentist.
Jeffery Rubino has joined Elgren's group after completing his first year at Hamilton. Rubino, thrilled with the opportunity to explore the biochemistry field outside the classroom is excited because it is "right in the middle, at the interface between biology and chemistry." Rubino, who unlike most of the science fellows, has chosen to live at home in nearby Utica, is also involved in the programs kick-ball league and teaches children to swim in his free time.
