UNT Research, Volume 22, 2013 Page: 46
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Weber is helping Wilson's group develop theory in the fast-
growing field of computational chemistry, which uses computers to
model molecules, molecular properties and chemical reactions
and saves time and money compared to traditional approaches.
"In searching for a new industrial catalyst, for example, a com-
putational chemist can screen many, many more possibilities, nar-
rowing down potential compounds to a handful, rather than having
to investigate hundreds," Weber says.
She is working on a method known as MR-ccCA that allows
researchers to more accurately model large molecules. She plans to
pursue a university teaching career that will allow her to conduct
further research and be a mentor.
"Dr. Wilson pushes her students to stay active in research
and the academic community, keeping our names out there so
that we have better chances at careers," Weber says. "Her support
has been great."
For Williams, who is working on a master's degree in electrical
engineering, the NSF fellowship made it possible to pursue inter-
ests in environmental monitoring systems, sustainable design, and
outreach in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics
fields. She earned her bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
at UNT and says she's had the chance to use that knowledge in
environmental settings through her work with Miguel Acevedo,
Regents Professor of electrical engineering.
One of those opportunities included consulting with the
Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area on the reintroduc-
tion of bobwhite quail to the area.
"We brainstormed on a project to keep the quail cool in the
Texas heat and discussed the use of remote monitoring systems to
provide data on its effectiveness," Williams says.
Acevedo is the project leader of the Texas Environmental
Observatory at UNT, which uses weather stations throughout the
region to provide web-based environmental data for the public. In a
project to expand the observatory,Williams is researching its moni-
toring equipment, purpose, functionality and communication links
as she works to develop her graduate thesis.
And as a summer research assistant for UNT's NSF-funded
Research Experiences for Teachers in Sensor Networks, she
helps high school teachers in the STEM fields conduct research
on campus.
Her interests helped make her a good fit for the fellowship.
'Jennifer wants to apply her engineering skills to environmen-tal problems and is determined to devote her academic career to
help society and improve STEM education," Acevedo says. "That
combination is highly appreciated by funding agencies."
Williams says her UNT undergraduate advisors and profes-
sors helped her to gain the research experience needed to qualify for
the fellowship.
"Dr. Acevedo and many other professors have been excellent
role models every step of the way," she says.
"I want to make a difference locally and globally, and now I
have the opportunity to do that."
Research focused on improving technology gave Rimsza an
edge in earning one of the prestigious fellowships. She's using the
award to study the use of organosilicate glasses for separating the
electronic charges that run through computer chips, with a goal of
making the chips faster, smaller and more reliable.
She is pursuing her research as a doctoral student in the labo-
ratory ofJincheng Du, associate professor of materials science and
engineering, where she is investigating the etching of these materi-
als at the atomic level using advanced computer simulations.
Understanding how the materials are affected by etching,
which is used in the manufacturing of chips, will help to ensure that
they function effectively in electronics after processing, Rimsza says.
"Using computer simulation and modeling to solve problems
in fundamental materials research is significant in keeping U.S.
technology competitive globally," Du says. "I think Jessica's focus
and valuable research experiences made her a competitive candidate
for the fellowship."
Rimsza found her way to UNT thanks to a recommendation
from her undergraduate advisor at the University of Arizona. She
developed liquids for semiconductor cleaning there in the chemistry
lab of Rene Corrales and her research was published in the Journal
of Computational and Theoretical Chemistry.
Corrales - who had worked with Du at the Pacific
Northwest National Laboratory - encouraged Rimsza to continue
her research at UNT and apply for the NSF fellowship.
"He mentioned that UNT had a new materials science and
engineering Ph.D. program and that Dr. Du would be great as my
student advisor," Rimsza says, adding that her first year at UNT
has been rewarding not only because of supportive faculty.
"UNT has put a lot of money and effort into research facilities,
which makes the academic experience here even more fulfilling.">"I want to make a difference locally and globally, and now I have the opportunity to do
that." Jennifer Williams, NSF Graduate Research Fellow in electrical engineering2043 UNT RESEARCH IUNT.EDU/UNTRESEARCH
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University of North Texas. UNT Research, Volume 22, 2013, periodical, 2013; Denton, Texas. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc155611/m1/46/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting University Relations, Communications & Marketing department for UNT.