What is a career in advanced scientific research look like? Graduating high school students Kevin Multani, Lily Zhang, and Wyatt Gronnemose (refer to figure on the right) are now finding out as they embark on their summer research experience at TRIUMF, Canada's national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics. The three were recipients of the 2012 TRIUMF High School Fellowship, which offers distinguished graduating high-school students $3000 and a six-week residence at TRIUMF working under the guidance of a staff research scientist. The selection process is rigorous, with more than 60 applicants from all over BC being judged by two consecutive panels of five judges.
"We are delighted to have Lily, Wyatt, and Kevin with us this summer", enthused Dr. Marcello Pavan, program director and TRIUMF Outreach Coordinator. "The judging process was very very arduous, with several dozen of the top science students in BC applying. It really is inspiring to see so many of these incredibly bright eager students aspiring to research careers."
Wyatt Gronnemose is from Lord Tweedsmuir High School in Surrey, and will attend UBC in the fall. He is assisting Dr. Stanley Yen and Prof. Chris Hearty (UBC). Wyatt explains, "I am very excited to be able to work at TRIUMF as it gives me the opportunity to delve into the real world of science and get first hand experience before even getting to university. Currently I am working on chemistry experiments to measure the solubility of lead acetate in water/glyerol combinations, which would help build a future supernova neutrino detector."
Lily Zhang, from South Kamloops High School and a future Queen's University engineering student, will get a first hand look at TRIUMF nuclear medicine program. "I am extremely thrilled and honoured to receive the opportunity of the TRIUMF High School Fellowship!", said Lily. " It is a very special kind of experience in which I can encounter the aspects of a professional, scientific career. Over the next six weeks, I will be working under the supervision of Dr. Cornelia Hoehr on aspects of nuclear medicine and TRIUMF's Proton Therapy Program, including helping to treat patients with rare ocular melanomas."
Kevin Multani, a product of Enver Creek Secondary School in Surrey will attempt to do what very few people have every done—build a cyclotron! "TRIUMF is an awe-inspiring facility and I feel honoured to be here for the Fellowship," remarked Kevin. "I will be working on designing and building a small cyclotron under the supervision of Dr. Thomas Planche and UBC Professor (Emeritus) Michael K. Craddock. At the moment, I am preparing a document that outlines some major details of the cyclotron, while in a few weeks, I will start building and assembling the vacuum system components." Kevin anticipates continuing the project as an undergraduate engineering student at UBC.
The TRIUMF High School Fellowship began in 2004 and is open to all graduating Canadian high school students in BC who have completed Physics 12 and who will attend an accredited post-secondary school. For more information, please visit http://www.triumf.ca/outreach/high-school-fellowship