Student Chosen for Nuclear Chemistry Internship in California

Michael Delcau, a junior chemistry major, will participate this summer in a selective internship with the American Chemical Society national nuclear summer school in San Jose, Calif., because he is interested in pursuing a career in nuclear chemistry.

This elite program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, had more than 200 applicants with only 12 chosen for the San Jose site. The six-week program’s incentives include a $4,000 stipend, room and board and transportation to and from California.

Delcau found out about the ACS summer school through Alpha Chi Sigma, a national chemistry fraternity on campus. He is excited to change cities over the summer and fulfill his aspiration of living on the west coast.

“All my feelings are positive toward the internship,” Delcau said. “I am slightly nervous that it will be very intense as the schedule usually has classes going from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. with seminars in between and at night.”

Delcau believes that Truman has prepared him for this opportunity by giving him a strong chemistry background through coursework and the ACS exams.

Besides the American Chemical Society, Delcau considered and was accepted to Doisy SLU Biochemistry, Kansas-State Research Experiences for Undergraduates and a University of Missouri-Columbia Fellowship.

The formal program from June 10 to July 20 consists of lecture and laboratory components that cover the fundamentals of nuclear theory, radiochemistry, nuclear instrumentation, radiological safety and applications to related fields.

In addition, there are special symposia, guest lectures and field trips to nearby research centers.

Topics include nuclear medicine, nuclear power, fundamental particle physics and environmental radiochemistry. Students will also get to meet and interact with many leading scientists in various fields including personal assistance with Ph.D. and M.D. programs across the nation and future research opportunities.

The top student gets to go to the ACS national conference the following year.

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