Dordt University students thrive in national research experiences

This summer, three Dordt University students interested in physics had the opportunity to engage in Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs).

Physics and mathematics double-major Elias Obbink of Sioux Center spent his summer with Dr. Arkaitz Rodas at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Newport News, Virginia. Known as “Jefferson Lab,” it is a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science national laboratory that is known worldwide for its unique particle accelerator, the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility.

At Jefferson Lab, Obbink researched Regge Physics, a mathematical theory that helps researchers understand how particles interact at high energies.

This was Obbink’s second research experience in particle physics and reinforced his confidence in wanting to enter the field as a graduate student. Last summer, Obbink participated in research with Associate Professor of Engineering and Physics Dr. Jason Ho, which he felt prepared him well for this summer’s experience.

“The opportunity to do physics research at Dordt with Dr. Ho during the previous summer was invaluable. It helped me discover my interests and gave me the confidence to pursue additional research experiences at places like Jefferson Lab,” says Obbink.

Emma Phillips spent her summer participating in an REU at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, working in the lab of Dr. Pravas Deria in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Sciences.

Phillips’ research involved assessing how various metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) could act as photocatalysts, or materials that can speed up a chemical reaction through light.

“The summer program is almost the same work experience as a graduate program, only shorter. The REU is intended to be a taste of what doing one’s own research would be like and is very helpful in discerning my future plans,” says Phillips.

The chemistry major and physics minor from Olathe, Kansas, adds that the REU experience helped her to make vital connections within the scientific community.

“The work I did this summer was part of the work that the Deria lab was doing in publishing a new paper,” she says. “Because of that, once the paper is published—it is currently under review—I will have my first scientific paper authorship of my research career!”

Nathan Bakker, an engineering and physics double-major, worked with the Dr. Jing Liu in the University of South Dakota’s Department of Physics in Vermillion, South Dakota. His work was based in the Radiation Detector Laboratory. Bakker’s project included making a three-stage voltage amplifier, with the goal of detecting and converting small radiation signals into light and then amplifying them into an electric signal.

Bakker, who is from Littleton, Colorado, found his experience in the lab valuable in applying some of the troubleshooting skills he learned at Dordt.

“You have to expect things to go wrong, and the job is to find where it went wrong,” says Bakker. “Dordt’s physics and electrical engineering programs have done well to prepare me for this type of research.”

Ho says that it is great to have Dordt students’ talent being recognized on the national stage through these REU experiences.

“Undergraduate research experiences are highly competitive, and our students' selection is already a testament to their strong performance,” says Ho. “I’m certain they have represented our institution well.”

REUs allow students to experience innovative research not available at Dordt and provide valuable growth opportunities for the students who participate in them.

“It’s been a joy to get to know Emma, Elias, and Nathan and to see them develop and flourish in their love of science. These are bright students that have all demonstrated persistence and dedication not only in their work but in imagining their future vocations,” says Ho.

Obbink, Phillips, and Bakker are three of many Dordt students who engaged in off-campus summer research opportunities this past summer. Undergraduate students who participate in research opportunities such as these have the chance to work closely with researchers at prestigious institutions. Among other things, these experiences allow students to consider if further research endeavors are a good fit for them.

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.