The American Chemical Society's (ACS) Project SEED summer research program, the Decatur-Springfield local ACS section, and Millikin University have provided funding the last few years for local high school students to engage in chemistry research opportunities on Millikin's campus.
Last summer, David Bruns from Rosamond, Ill., was selected for the program and participated in research activities alongside Millikin chemistry students and faculty.
Bruns took part in a continued research project at Millikin where students are studying hollow nanoparticles, specifically bunches of silver atoms coated with clumps of gold atoms, to see if they can one day be injected into tumors to destroy cancer from the inside out without harming healthy tissue.
The future Millikin chemistry major made hollow gold nanoparticle-liposome complexes with a dye trapped inside, and demonstrated opening by quantitating the dye absorbance before and after heating.
"His system could potentially be used to deliver a cancer drug into a tumor over the course of a few hours," said Dr. Anne Rammelsberg, associate professor of chemistry at Millikin.
Because of his hard work and sustained effort, Bruns recently won a Project SEED College Scholarship and the opportunity to present his results at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, Calif., in May.
Bruns is also a member of the Macon County 4-H Science Explorers Club which is led by Dr. Rammelsberg.
To be eligible for the Project SEED program, students must meet specific academic and family income requirements, and demonstrate the potential to work in a chemical laboratory. Students entering their junior or senior year in high school and who have completed at least one high school chemistry course are eligible to apply.
Last year, the ACS Project SEED summer research program awarded Millikin University $5,000 in fellowship funds. The Decatur-Springfield ACS local section provided $750 with the remaining $4,250 coming from the National ACS Project SEED Office. Last summer, Project SEED students worked eight full-time weeks and earned a $2,500 stipend.
"Project SEED has given David the chance to explore one way that science can be used to solve an important problem and this fall he will start college with several scholarships to help pave his way into the future," said Dr. Rammelsberg.