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West Virginia University Student, Glen Dale Native Daniel Baker Among Four to Earn Summer Research Fellowship

Four West Virginia University students will spend their summers researching thermodynamic models, new material for aircraft under impact, glass in crime scene evidence and the dynamics of how proteins change.

Daniel Baker, Chad Hite, Oriana Ovide and Katrina Rupert will spend 11 weeks contributing to ongoing research at National Institute of Standards and Technology sites in Boulder, Colorado, and Gaithersburg, Maryland.

“Their experience as undergraduate researchers with WVU faculty members was crucial in their competitive selection to NIST SURF,” said Michelle Richards-Babb, director of the Office of Undergraduate Research. “The NIST experience will aid these students after graduating, as they apply to competitive graduate schools and establish themselves as experts in the field. We are very proud that our undergraduate students are being recognized for their skills in research.”

Baker, of Glen Dale, will be stationed in Boulder. A senior majoring in chemical engineering in the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, he participated in WVU’s research apprenticeship program in spring and fall 2018, and presented his research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in April.

His research will focus on validating current thermodynamic models using the stability and oxidation properties of materials. Baker plans to pursue a doctorate in chemical engineering before pursuing employment researching with NIST.

“It’s a huge step forward,” Baker said. “NIST is renowned for rehiring their applicants if you do a good job, so this is kind of like the first step on hopefully the rest of my life.”

NIST is a federal agency that develops technology, metrics and standards that are the basis for innovation and industrial competitiveness.

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship seeks to inspire undergraduate students to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers through research experience.

Rupert, Hite and Ovide will work in Gaithersburg.

Students interested in participating in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship can apply directly to the program.

These fellowships are one of many research opportunities available to undergraduate students.

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