What do chemistry, theater, and $100,000 have in common?
To many, theatre and chemistry might not seem to go hand in hand. But the unique opportunities available at Carthage have allowed Erin Gemperline ’11 to merge her passions to create an exceptional career path in research and scientific outreach.
Ms. Gemperline is the recipient of a $100,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship. She is now pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin—Madison and is conducting research in the field of bioanalytical chemistry, using a variety of mass spectrometry techniques to study biological questions. She is looking for new anti-fungal and anti-bacterial compounds from leaf cutter ants and also investigating the mechanism of how legume crop plants make their own nitrogen nutrients. Both of these projects apply analytical chemistry techniques to solve relevant problems with ultimate benefits to medicine and agriculture.
Among her many accomplishments, Ms. Gemperline attributes much of her current success to her experience with the NSF Fellowship. “My application became a foundation application for other things I’ve applied for in grad school. It got me thinking like a reviewer so I’ve felt more confident and been more successful with other applications and with writing in general. I’ve used my experience with this to help other, younger students in my lab with their applications and also met with staff at UW—Madison to help put together NSF and other grant writing workshops.”
As far as her future, Ms. Gemperline is unsure where life will take her. She enjoys doing research and wants to be able to devote time to her work life as well as keep free time available for friends and family. Her double major from Carthage in theatre and chemistry has led her to consider careers such as science policy or even science outreach where she can communicate about science to large and diverse audiences. She is keeping her options open by doing research, mentoring undergraduate students, and performing outreach demonstrations for elementary school children. In the past few years, she has created a scientific video, consulted with a theatre company in Chicago for one of its productions, and has participated in many other opportunities that draw on her wide skill set.
Ms. Gemperline reflects warmly on the opportunity Carthage students have to obtain hands-on experience.
“You’re responsible for collecting the data and interpreting it,” she said. “You decide where to take the project from there.”
Her own research while at Carthage — she participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience program with chemistry professor Kevin Morris — helped to hone her scientific skills, improving her competitiveness for off-campus research programs, strengthening her NSF application, and laying the groundwork for future aspirations.
Thinking of the current generation of Carthage students, she encourages applying for research internships as early and often as possible. Research experience is essential for getting into graduate school and, in the future, getting a job. She encourages testing the waters in multiple types of scientific specialties and settings (organic chemistry versus analytical chemistry, for example, and academic versus industry research environments) so students can narrow their interests.
Ms. Gemperline’s double major embodies one of the ideals of a liberal arts education, to merge arts and sciences. She is a prime example of the success that Carthage has in store for all those who take advantage of opportunities available.
For more information on the NSF or other fellowships, please contact Dan Choffnes, Director of Student Fellowships and Associate Professor of Biology and Asian Studies, at dchoffnes@carthage.edu.