25 / 52
Chapman works with researchers from the undergraduate to the post-
doctoral level in his lab, but he had never brought in a student from his alma
mater. During a visit to campus, Chapman met with Provost Phil Sprunger and
members of the biology faculty to develop the research internship program. He
also made time to conduct a research seminar with Lycoming students.
After reviewing applications and conducting phone interviews with
interested Lycoming biology majors during the spring semester, Chapman
selected Jennifer Monico ’16 for the internship. The College provided a stipend
for Monico’s living and travel expenses, and Chapman covered housing and lab
supplies.
Monico, the recipient of both a Lycoming Haberberger Fellowship and a
Pennsylvania Academy of Science grant for her senior honors project, had the
opportunity to work collaboratively with a Canadian post-doc and a Chinese doctoral student in Chapman’s
lab. Their research attempted to reconstruct the pathway for making skin lipids by using plant and yeast
lipids in order to produce water-resistant additives for use in cosmetics and wound treatments.
Jennifer “grasped things so quickly,” says Chapman, citing her strong attention to detail and independent
thinking. “Not too many people can come in and learn molecular cloning in such a short time. She became
self-sufficient very quickly.”
“She understood what she was doing, and why,” Chapman recalls. “Despite her lack of experience in
molecular or cell biology or biochemistry” — the focus of Jennifer’s biology major was ecology, with minors
in environmental science and art — “she was able to do the work. It was impressive. And the results she got
were exciting.”
Chapman is using the molecular tools that Monico helped to construct in a research course he is currently
teaching. Monico is even credited on Chapman’s course website.
With the internship experience, Monico could get a job “very easily” as a laboratory research technician,
Chapman explains. Monico agrees with this as she reflects on her experience in a working lab. She found
value in learning how to troubleshoot and deal with unexpected results, as well as coming to understand the
focus and stamina required to work in a laboratory full-time day in and day out. “The experience gave me
the confidence to pursue a master’s degree,” says Monico, an option she is considering.
explore
by Melanie Harris Taormina ’94
Kent Chapman, Ph.D. ’86
Despite the long hours in the
lab, it wasn’t all work in Texas for
Monico. She took full advantage
of her free time, visiting
historic sites and arboretums,
experiencing local culture and
even participating in a Habitat
for Humanity build.
Chapman remembers his own
independent research project as
a Lycoming student with then-
assistant professor of biology
Judith Pottmeyer as critical in
launching his career path. “It
gave me the opportunity to feel
like I was quickly an expert at
something and immersed me in
the scientific process,” he recalls.
“It really kindled the excitement
about discovery.” Chapman
also fondly recalls studying
marine life in Jamaica with Mel
Zimmerman, now professor
emeritus of biology.
Zimmerman taught both
Chapman and Monico, and both,
he says, “represented the best
qualities of a Lycoming student: a
student interested in a variety of
areas and having the passion and
work ethic to explore as many of
them as possible to develop their
chosen career.”
Chapman’s passion and
work ethic have indeed taken
him far in his career. This past
fall he was awarded a $650,000
grant by the U.S. Department of
Energy Office of Science to study
the cellular storage of lipids in
plants.
Chapman hopes to continue
offering summer research
internships to Lycoming
students. “It’s terrific to give
back a little bit to Lycoming,”
he says. “In addition to our
financial donations, volunteering
our time and experience and
expertise is a valuable way to
give. I would encourage others to
do that as well.”
Both Chapman and Monico
represented the best qualities
of a Lycoming student:
a student interested in a variety
of areas and having the passion
and work ethic to explore
as many of them as possible to
develop their chosen career.
25
www.lycoming.eduF E AT U R E