Research Opportunities
p1 S cience was always sort research work. He took down the lab, as well as techniques
of my thing. When my name and said he would that I would use during my
I came to SMU, I get back to me. Two days later, research experience. He
originally enrolled as an he asked for my resume. Of assigned me to help with
Environmental Science major, course, I sent him it. The day another student on a project
Internship In Italian
with a specialization in pre- after that, I received an e-mail by the end of September my
p1
med. When the e-mails from from Dr. Rajan Vempati, freshman year. I spent lots
Dr. Karen DeOlivares, the Professor of Environmental of time learning techniques
Human Rights Major pre-med adviser at SMU, Chemistry, asking to meet like XRD, TGA, and FTIR.
“ ”
p2 started rolling in about with me and discuss Needless to say, I felt a
meetings for the Alpha This amazing experience little overwhelmed by
Darwin Lectures Epsilon Delta pre- all started with a simple the responsibilities at
p2 med organization on first, but it was exactly
campus, naturally, I was question and a desire to get what I wanted. I was
Professor Bios curious. I started going involved. surrounded with helpful
p3 to their meetings and students and faculty who
listening to what they had to possible employment. Still a were always willing to lend a
say. One thing they mentioned little surprised, I went to meet hand in showing me what I
New Classical Studies Class
was that undergraduates with Dr. Vempati. After our needed to know. In the spring,
p4 should explore the possibility meeting, he took me into the Dr. Vempati assigned me to
of research. So after class lab and I started work that a small project for myself
Intro to the DCA one day, I approached Dr. day. At first, I mostly learned involving a green technology
p4 David Son, the chemistry good lab procedure: how to for planting. At the end of the
advisor, and told him I was take good lab notes, practices semester, I presented my work
very interested in doing some for cleanliness and order in at the Live Green conference
Continued on page 4
Italian Department Creates New Internship for Students
by Anna Kiappes
T he Italian Department The companies that will for the program, such as Interested in Italian?
has created a new participate with the program students must be a junior
internship opportunity vary from The Italian or senior, interviewed Want to jump in on this new
for the 2010 spring semester. Cultural Center to Paciugo. with Prestigiacomo Patel, internship in the Italian Department?
Created by Professor Maria “We have more than 10 and completed 2401 and Here’s what you need to know:
Prestigiacomo Patel, the companies participating. 2402. After they have met
internship is aimed at Italian Some are Italian companies this, students will receive --Junior or Senior students
majors and minors who that have a branch in Dallas, credit hours for their time --Completion of ITAL 2401 and
are look for contacts in such as the Italian Cultural spent at the company. 2402 required
corporations. The idea for Center, and the Italy-America “[The program] is considered --Ten Italian-related companies
the program was to grow the Chamber of Commerce. a 3 credit course, but students participating
Italian department as a whole. We do have companies that must complete 120 hours --Five to six written pieces of work
“The idea is to grow the aren’t necessarily Italian of work per the semester,” for course credit, as well as 120
department and to offer more corporations but ones created Prestigiacomo Patel said. work hours
advanced levels [of Italian] by Italians, like Paciugo,” Each student will receive --Contact Professor Maria
for the majors and minors,” Prestigiacomo Patel said. one on one attention with Prestigiacomo Patel (mpatel@smu.
Prestigiacomo Patel said. There are basic requirements Prestigiacomo Patel and edu)
Continued on page 3
“ ”
rights student Instead it should be, ‘People do change
The saying shouldn’t be ‘People intern, attended the world, either for better or worse.’”
can change the world,’ because the trip and
described it by Alex Thibeaux is a freshman. She can
then you get the idea you can saying, “I can’t be reached for comment at athibeaux@
choose. Instead it should be, ‘People do get over how smu.edu
much the trip
change the world, either for better or worse.’ affected me. I
had read the
and many students were able to take books, seen the pictures, and watched
advantage of the learning experience. the videos; but my education came full
The program is directed by Dr. Rick circle and what I had learned became
Halperin, former Chair of the Board real to me on a personal level.” On the
of Directors of Amnesty International trip to Rwanda, Muchkinoff and her
and current member of the Board fellow students interviewed survivors
of Directors of the Texas Coalition of the genocide, visited genocide sites,
Against the Death Penalty (TCADP). museums, and orphanages. They also
The program was started by a donation worked with the organization Alarm
from a parent who attended one of Dr. and other non-profit organizations while
Halperin’s trips. The current Human there. Next semester, one of the survivors
Rights minor requires 18 hours of study, the students met will be coming to SMU
including HIST 3301 and 5 additional to give a lecture. After graduating this The Human Rights program is slated to
classes of a student’s choice from several spring, Muchkinoff plans to study Human become a Dedman College major in Fall 2010
different areas, provided that no more Rights on the graduate level, and then (Courtesy SMU Human Rights Proram).
than 2 classes in the same category are take the Foreign Service exam so she can
Teresa Brentegani
Dr. Pia Vogel
What classes do you teach/are I am the Director of First-Year Writing. Biochemistry (Biol 5310 or Chem 5310) I teach three Italian classes: one
I teach primarily Honors English in the fall and Bio/Nanotechnology intermediate course and two advanced
you going to teach?
courses, but I also teach English 1300 (Biol 4370) in the spring semesters, courses.
and occasionally 1301 or 1302. except for spring 2010 when I will be on
research leave.
What attracted you to Dedman I have been part of Dedman College I had known Professor Vik from the Life!
since I was 18 and a first-year student Biology Department for many years
College at SMU?
here myself. I have never left SMU since through professional conferences before
then. I came to SMU. I also was impressed
with the professors in my department
and their willingness to support my
research activities.
What do you do with your free In summer, I teach Summer I and then Summers are spent, as for almost all I really enjoy reading (literature) and
try to travel. In my free time I am a people active in the sciences, to actually keep up to date with current events. I
time when you’re not teaching?
runner, and I teach spin. I also like to do the research, write manuscripts for also spend most of my free time with my
What about your summers? read (no surprise!) and see art-house publishing our data and writing grant two children. In the summer, we always
films. proposals to obtain the funds necessary travel.
to perform the research. When I’m
not doing any of the above, I enjoy
spending time with my family and dog
at Lake Texoma.
If you had to do something Actually psychology interests me very I really would not know what else to I would go back to school and study
much, and I am taking some courses do if not Science and Teaching. Well, literature or foreign languages. My
besides teach and/or do in that area. Not sure what I might do maybe I could bake some cakes, I am dream is to be a professional student.
research, what would you do with it at some point, but any job I ever pretty good at that, but I don’t assume it
and why? would have would involve interacting would be quite as fulfilling.
with people. I am not meant to be alone
with a computer all day!
What inspired you to become a My own English teacher here at SMU What inspired me and still inspires me I love my language and literature and
told me I should. She said, “Teaching in being a Professor is to try to convey want to share it with as many people as
professor?
English at the college level is what to my students the beauty of the natural possible.
you should do some day.” From that world. The intricate interactions that
moment on, that was my goal. have evolved to make all live on this
planet so beautiful and efficient. But
also, to show that humans now have
Professor Bios compiled by Anna to power to change so much of it at
Ziemnicki, Howard He, and Anna molecular level and what this power
Kiappes. entails ethically.
T he Dedman
Ambassadors
off to a strong start for
the 2009-2010 academic year, and
shows no signs of slowing down
College
(DCA) is Get Involved with the DCA!
I f you are a Classical were religious and cultural in Plano, TX, among in a research university
Studies major or love tourists in Egypt, and students hundreds of other booths environment with experienced
anything about Ancient find that Cleopatra is the link showcasing new technologies staff and faculty. Even though
Egypt, Cleopatra, or the between the two ancient under development. It was I have not blown up Fondren
Roman Empire, the seminar civilizations. Students will read an incredible opportunity Science Building yet, this
The Triumph of Cleopatra: about the many different ways that gave me a great look into amazing experience all started
Egypt and Rome Under the she was represented, from the world of research. I have with a simple question and a
Empire is a great class to Roman propaganda slandering returned to work this fall, with desire to get involved. Don’t
consider. Professor Melissa Cleopatra as an evil queen to even more responsibilities in miss out on the opportunity
Dowling will offer the class ancient Egyptian archeological the lab and a few projects of to become more involved in
on Monday afternoons in articles describing her as a good my own. I have learned good your college. Dedman has
the spring of 2010. In the queen. Once students choose lab practice and invaluable research opportunities in
research class, students will their topic and begin writing hands-on experience working nearly every department. Get
choose their own topic for their research paper, they will with equipment and things involved: it’s as easy as asking
twenty-five-page research enjoy it as well as appreciate that would have remained a question, and the rewards are
paper and can share their their work because they will out of access to me. These more than worth your effort.
own ideas about why their be contributing to history resources and opportunities
topic is important. The class through their professor. And are one of the reasons I chose Dan Fernandez is a sophomore
will focus on the interaction let’s face it: many of us want to Dedman College at SMU. Chemistry major. He can
of cultures in the Roman be remembered in some way. There are ample opportunities be reached for comment
for hands-on learning at dfernandez@smu.edu.
Empire as it spread across So here is your chance to leave
Europe and Asia. Ancient your mark on history, or at least
The Ded-Beat is the official newsletter of the Dedman College
Egypt is used to describe and to get your foot in the door.
Ambassadors. The views represented within are not necessarily those
understand Rome because, as of Dedman College nor of Southern Methodist University. All inquiries
Professor Dowling explains, Adrienne Glaze is a freshman. regarding The Ded-Beat or any of its content may be directed to
“Rome is transformed by the She can be reached for Nicholas Burns, Vice President of Publications for the DCA and Editor-
Egyptian culture.” Romans comment at aglaze@smu.edu in-Chief of The Ded-Beat, at rburns@smu.edu.