St. Mary's is proud to recognize five students who will be participating in an intensive summer science program hosted by Portland's Saturday Academy known as the Apprenticeships in Science and Engineering (ASE) Program. The Saturday Academy website describes the progam as follows: The Apprenticeships in Science and Engineering (ASE) Program helps match high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors with scientists and engineers for an 8-week summer apprenticeship in a professional, scientific or engineering environment. By connecting students with scientists and engineers who serve as "mentors," the program enables young people to explore their interests and make informed educational and career decisions.  At the same time, ASE provides a supported, organized way for professionals to help "grow" the next generation of scientists and engineers.

APPRENTICESHIPS IN SCIENCE & ENGINEERING (ASE) PARTICIPANTS

Alethea Buchal (Junior)

Reed College, Portland

Earth Science Department

Reed College houses a 250 KW research reactor whose facility is dedicated to science education. Its main use is the identification of elements in biological and geological samples. The apprentice will assist with ongoing projects at the reactor. This usually includes operating a gamma ray spectrometer and using spreadsheets and other software to analyze data. The apprentice will also be involved in routine calibration, maintenance, and operation of the nuclear reactor and associated equipment. Applicants should be highly motivated and have some technical aptitude. A great deal of responsibility is given to the apprentice. The apprentice will be trained in the safe handling and use of radioactive materials.

Dorothy Haruyama (Senior)

Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland

Doernbecher Children’s Hospital

This apprentice will be working at Doernbecher Children's Hospital in the computer lab. She will be a partner in a team creating the visual aspects for interactive and educational programs for children to play while they stay at Doernbecher. Among other things, the apprentice will be working with several graphic programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Flash.

Helen Helfand (Senior)

Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland

Neurological Sciences Institute

The apprentice will shadow a mentor based at OHSU's Neurological Sciences Institute. This mentor is studying molecular mechanisms involved in antibody and T-cell mediated autoimmunity with an emphasis on autoimmune aspects of eye diseases related to retinal degeneration. Typical tasks may include: sample preparation; use of modern instruments such as spectrophotometers; use of biotechnological techniques such as protein and DNA electrophoresis, ELISA, and cell culture; data collection, computer entry, graphing, and analysis; computer modeling; preparation of written reports; and more. Working teams will include senior and junior scientists, technicians, and college students as well as the ASE apprentices.

Aileen Sheedy (Junior)

IBM, Beaverton

Computer Science

The apprentice will be place in a group that develops core operating system functionality in response to IBM product needs. The department uses a number of custom built tools and IT services to accomplish the development mission.  These tools are continuously evolving to match IBM’s needs. The apprentice will assist in this on-going system administration and tool development effort.  Depending on the level of pre-existing experience and the apprentice’s motivation, they will be involved with anything from learning shell scripting to customizing testing and deploying open software-based applications and modifications to Linux.   

Madeline Wyse (Senior)

Portland State University, Portland

Physics Department

The apprentice will follow a mentor whose research group uses the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method assisted by a focus ion beam system to synthesize carbon nanotubes with controlled dimensions and morphologies. The research is focused on developing reliable techniques for fabricating carbon nanotube-based nanodevices. The apprentice will have the opportunity to learn how to use the CVD method to synthesize carbon nanotubes and will learn how to use a scanning electron microscope and a focused ion beam microscope to analyze carbon nanotube samples. During the first week, the apprentice will join the mentor’s National Science Foundation sponsored summer Research Experience for Undergraduates program. Through a one-week intensive training program, the apprentice will learn various skills necessary for doing research. The apprentice will experience a research environment consisting of postdoctoral researcher, graduate, and undergraduate students.