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Chemical engineering major Jessica Whitman ’05 (Fruitland, Md.) is conducting research to determine how molecules are assembled and the effect those structures have on their properties, which could have an impact on several technologies.
Working alongside James Ferri, assistant professor of chemical engineering, Whitman is writing computer code to help simplify the complex research.
“The process of self-assembly is important in science and technology because of its potential for use in the synthesis of sustained drug delivery vehicles, photonic materials [components in telecommunications, detector technologies, and lasers], and nanostructured catalysts [those at the atomic, molecular or macromolecular level],” explains Ferri. “The common feature of all self-assembled systems is that they have complex geometric structures with local order. The ability to form these complex structures depends on the geometry of the molecules and on their molecular interactions.”
Whitman is collaborating with Ferri through Lafayette’s distinctive EXCEL Scholars program, in which students assist faculty with research while earning a stipend. The program has helped make Lafayette a national leader in undergraduate research. Many of the more than 160 students who participate in EXCEL each year go on to publish papers in scholarly journals and/or present their research at conferences.
Ferri and Whitman are studying the self-assembly of chemical compounds called dimers by using a mathematical statistical simulation method called lattice Monte Carlo simulations. They hope to determine what role molecularinteractions play in how these compounds assemble themselves.
“Monte Carlo techniques are used when the mathematics of a problem are too complicated and involve reaching an averaged solution by replicating multiple experiments at set conditions,” says Whitman, a mathematics minor and member of the Pi Mu Epsilon national math honor society. ”Using Monte Carlo computer simulations, we are exploring the minimum energy arrangement of varying concentrations of amphiphilic [bipolar] dimers in a cubic lattice. I am involved with developing the computer code used to run the simulations and evaluating the experimental results.”
“Jess has developed computer code for identifying the molecules within a given aggregate and will shortly finish the calculations for describing the geometry in terms of three principle length scales (R1, R2, R3) which correspond to three dimensions,” says Ferri. “Her work will allow us to determine the energy parameters that drive the transitions between spherical, cylindrical, and lamellar (layered) structures. She’s working at a really high level on this research.”
Ferri approached his student to see if she had an interest in EXCEL research.
“Dr. Ferri knew about my interest in computer science, and when the opportunity for work for someone with a background in computer science arose, he let me know about it. He also spent a lot of time familiarizing me with the background theory and made me feel like I was an important part of the project,” says Whitman.
She also credits her mentor with describing career opportunities for someone with her major and minor course of study.
“Dr. Ferri has shown me that there are countless things that can be done with a degree in chemical engineering, including pursuing a computer-related field,” she says. “This research opportunity has shown me that there are many options for graduate studies for a student with an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering.”
Whitman finds the atmosphere at Lafayette conducive to faculty and student interaction that promotes positive learning opportunities.
“The thing I appreciate most about Lafayette is the small-school environment, which fosters close relationships between the students and professors,” says Whitman. “The chemical engineering students have a unique situation in which our student lounges, where a lot of us gather to do homework and study every day, are a few feet from our professors’ offices. We know that during the day we will almost always be able to find help when we need it. Lafayette also has excellent opportunities to do research if a student wants to pursue learning about their major past their regular course load.”
Whitman is a member and former president of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, president of the Residence Hall Council and Women’s Rugby Club, and vice president of administration for the Tri Delta sorority. She is a member of the National Residence Hall honorary fraternity and plays various intramural sports.
She is a graduate of James M. Bennett Senior High School.
As a national leader in undergraduate research, Lafayette sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year. Forty-two students were accepted to present their work at the annual conference last month.
Jessica Whitman ’05 studied chemical compounds called dimers as an EXCEL Scholar working with James Ferri, assistant professor of chemical engineering.