VT College of Science Magazine Fall 2005 | Page 12

Reflections on the Fluid and
Fascinating World of Science
Life at Virginia Tech extends beyond the traditional classroom for David Erickson
and Sarah Koss, two undergraduate scholars in the College of Science.

The College of Science (COS) is proud to be the “home” of two Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
recipients this year. David Erickson, a junior majoring in physics and math, plans to pursue a
Ph.D. and ultimately conduct research and teach at the university level. Sarah Koss, a sophomore
with a triple major in biology, psychology, and studio art, plans to pursue a combined M.D./
Ph.D. program in the field of neuropathology.
Goldwater scholars are selected for academic merit, and each is awarded up to $7,500 per year for tuition, fees, books,
and room and board. Congress established the scholarship program in 1986 to honor the late Sen. Goldwater and to
encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering.
Erickson and Koss were among 320 Goldwater scholars chosen from an applicant field of 1,091 undergraduates across
the country. We asked each of them to share their thoughts on the value of undergraduate research* and other topics that
have enlightened and inspired them in their journey so far.

David Erickson
Undergraduate research has been one
of the most important and helpful
experiences in my training for a scientific career. My research has provided
a fun and challenging way to broaden,
yet focus, my education. I have been
able to branch out and educate myself
on diverse topics in hopes of better
tackling one problem. Through undergraduate research I have also come
to better understand what it means
to be a scientist. In scientific research
you must determine the problem that
you want to solve as well as devise the
solution, whereas in a traditional
course, the problem is already well defined and thus much
simpler. I find it deeply satisfying to come up with an
intriguing problem that has never been investigated and
search for an answer. That is what research is all about.
Professors Beate Schmittmann and Royce Zia in the
physics department have both been excellent mentors. I
didn’t know of the extreme advantages of undergraduate
research until Professor Schmittmann contacted and

enlightened me. She encouraged me to
find a research project that interested
me and proposed a couple that I could
work on with her. After searching, I
decided to stick with her because the
project was fascinating, and I knew
that she would be a great adviser.
Thus I began my research with two
professors who often collaborate, and
I have no regrets. Both of them are
always accessible and able to help me
with research, classes, and general
questions. They inform me of programs
and scholarships that I should pursue, and I even let Professor Zia talk
me into taking a graduate-level course
from him last fall. Both are always willing to write a letter
of recommendation and help out with any application
process. I truly believe that without their help I would not
have won the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. What’s
really extraordinary though is that they are more than just
mentors; I consider them friends. Our interactions are
not confined to research, but extend to social events and
friendly conversations.

* The College of Science continues to create and support programs that encourage undergraduate students to participate in the college’s research mission.
More than 300 students representing all departments in the college participated in undergraduate research and field study projects last year.

I would also say that the Intermediate Electricity and
Magnetism course I took at VT has made an enormous
impact on me. The course is part of what is known as the
“junior wall” amongst the physics undergraduates because
of its difficulty. It is indeed very challenging, but also
rewarding and intriguing. I learned more in that course
than any other; I picked up not only the basic course
material but also concepts essential to upper-level mathematics and physics. A large amount of time and effort are
required in order to make so many gains, but I enjoyed
staying up late into the night grinding away at a problem
because after solving it, I felt I had truly accomplished
something.
That course helped me decide that physics is what I want
to do with my life; knowing that I understood a complex
universal truth made me feel like a part of something
bigger and more important than myself and gave me a
feeling of genuine satisfaction.

Sarah Koss
As with most worthwhile endeavors,
undergraduate research at Virginia
Tech has affected me in ways that were
totally unpredictable. Not only have
I gained respect from my professors
and peers as a result of successful lab
work and scholarships, but I have also
experienced unforeseen social and
emotional developments as a result of
my work.
As I began my work in the Harvey W.
Peters Center, interaction with the
other researchers was unavoidable.
In high school I was very shy, and
discussing and defending my own ideas among graduate students and postdoctoral students was terrifying at
first. I felt that I was in way over my head, lost in a sea of
organic chemistry lingo that I could not decipher. However,
after quickly realizing that my opinions and ideas were just
as valid as those of the other members of the lab, I began
to speak my mind more readily and often found myself
engaged in heated debates.
This positive aggressiveness soon spread beyond the
lab, and I began to ask more questions in class and even
joke around with professors and add my own comments
to their lectures. I did not even notice this change until
I was home one weekend and my mom showed me a
report that had been written about me by one of my high

school teachers: “Sarah is a very bright student, but she
rarely offers her opinions in class. She always p