Eight science majors at West Virginia Wesleyan College were successful in the 2012 competition for the $6,000 Appalachian College Association's STEM Scholarships in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Funding is provided by the National Science Foundation.
Dillon Huffman, a sophomore physics major from Buckhannon, plans to obtain an advanced degree in biomedical engineering. He is presently working on a research project in our laser spectroscopy lab funded by the National Institute of Health's Supplements for Undergraduate Research Experience Program. This summer, Huffman will perform research at West Virginia University in the Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (Program. He also is a member of the Wesleyan Percussion Ensemble.
Kristin Bugg is a junior mathematics major from Hinton. She is president of the International Student Organization and the Hallam Math Honor Society at West Virginia Wesleyan College. She is also a member of the Wesleyan Brass Ensemble. Upon graduating, Bugg hopes to become a professor teaching math.
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Student winners from West Virginia Wesleyan College are, from left, Dillon Huffman, Kristin Bugg, Zachary Lonergan, Amy Hein, Jacob Wilson, Gabrielle LaFata, Thomas Holtschneider and Andrew Ferguson.
Zachary Lonergan is a sophomore biology major from Elkins. He has worked for Energy Express, the WE LEAD community-engagement program and as a volunteer at the Davis Memorial Hospital. Lonergan is working on a research project at Wesleyan with Dr. Melanie Sal. He made presentations at the ACA Summit and the National Collegiate Leadership Conference. He served as president of his class during his freshman and sophomore years. Lonergan is also a resident assistant in a dormitory.
Amy Hein is a sophomore engineering major from Morgantown. Her engineering design team won first place for designing the strongest bridge and was also recognized for its aesthetics. In addition, Hein is a talented performer in Wesleyan theater productions.
Jacob Wilson, a junior major from Frostburg, Md., plans to obtain a graduate degree in aerospace engineering. His engineering design team constructed a particularly innovative timing device. He has participated in Penn State's National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates, where he studied magnetic resonance. He works as an assistant in the physics labs.
Gabrielle LaFata is a junior biology major from Morgantown. She has performed research at Wesleyan and in the WVU IMBRE program. She is a member of the Beta Beta Beta Biology Honorary and works as a resident assistant in a dormitory.
Thomas Holtschneider is a junior physics major from Swanton, Md., who plans to obtain an advanced degree in medical physics. Last summer, he shadowed a medical physicist at the Cumberland Western Maryland Health System. He is performing research with Dr. Joseph Wiest, professor of physics, on proton beam reactions with a SURE grant and recently presented preliminary results at the Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Research Conference.
Andrew Ferguson is a sophomore physics major from Grafton who plans to obtain an advanced degree in medical physics. He has also won a WV-NASA fellowship. Ferguson works as a physics tutor and a photographer for the college newspaper and is a member of the Wesleyan track and field team.
