The Suburban Times

A community bulletin board for Western Pierce County.

  • Home
  • To Know
  • To Do
  • To Ponder
  • Obituaries
  • Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • More
    • Share your story
    • Submit an Event
    • Contact

Science Award Winners Benjamin Boe ’14 and Kathryn Ginsberg ’14 Honored at National Conference

December 12, 2013 By University of Puget Sound

University of Puget Sound seniors Benjamin Boe ’14 and Kathryn Ginsberg ’14 have been recognized for their excellence in science research at the prestigious 2013 Murdock College Science Research Program Conference (MCSRP).

Boe was named the winner of the John Van Zytveld Award in the physical sciences for his presentation “Coupled vibrations between musical drumheads.” Ginsberg was selected as the winner of the Murdock Poster Prize in Environmental Science/Geology for her presentation “Method development for wastewater epidemiology.”

“Benjamin and Kathryn excelled in every way,” wrote Moses Lee, program director of science and research for the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust in a letter to Puget Sound. “In fact both contributed significantly toward the theme of this year’s MCSRP conference and that was, ‘Celebrating and Engaging Scientific Discoveries.’”

The winning projects were selected by a panel of judges and fellow undergraduate researchers. The judges assessed criteria including the students’ communication abilities, their knowledge and careful analysis of the material, and the creativity, organization, and clarity of their project.

Benjamin Boe, who is majoring in physics and minoring in mathematics at Puget Sound, was advised on his research by Rand Worland, associate professor of physics. Ginsberg, a biochemistry major with minors in computer science and mathematics, was advised by Daniel Burgard, associate professor of chemistry. Both students received financial awards for their projects. Boe’s recognition came with a $1,500 award to be applied toward his educational costs and toward the university’s promotion of undergraduate research. Ginsberg was awarded a $50 gift card.

Boe and Worland’s research investigated the tendency for sound waves from two-headed drums to couple. Specifically Boe looked at how the distance (depth) between the two drumheads affects the degree of coupling that occurs. By modifying the depth of a tom-tom drum and using optical interferometry, Boe determined that coupling occurs across a wide range of drum depths and sound frequencies. The research project run by Ginsberg and Burgard examined the potential abuse of prescription and non-prescription drugs on college campuses at specific periods during the academic calendar. Using a new wastewater sampling system, the research could help inform practical ways in which college campuses can minimize and deal with such issues.

The award for Boe’s physical sciences presentation is granted by the Murdock Trust in recognition of John Van Zytveld, a champion of undergraduate research and a longtime program director at the trust. The new award for Ginsberg’s environmental science and geology research aims to recognize the talents of undergraduate research students and to enable future growth in the professionalism of poster presentations at the conference.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

Related

Top Stories

  • Permit filed to build new 51,000+ manufacturing facility in Lakewood
    Permit filed to build new 51,000+ manufacturing facility in Lakewood
  • Letter: Camping Ban Does Not Belong in Tacoma
    Letter: Camping Ban Does Not Belong in Tacoma
  • Help Create a Bright Future for Homestead Park
    Help Create a Bright Future for Homestead Park
  • Tacoma’s Mission Mountain Meadery makes delicious hopped mead
    Tacoma’s Mission Mountain Meadery makes delicious hopped mead
  • Letter: Dying Stars And God’s Love
    Letter: Dying Stars And God’s Love

Become a better informed citizen.

Join over 30,000 readers each month and get real-local news and information direct to your inbox, Monday-Saturday.


Recent Comments

  • MARY CHURCH on Help Create a Bright Future for Homestead Park
  • Marianne Bull on Boyle’s Double Take: Moving
  • Steve on A Statement From the Tacoma City Council on Recent Events Involving Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer
  • Steve on A Statement From the Tacoma City Council on Recent Events Involving Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer
  • Walt and Sandee Sterrenburg on Boyle’s Double Take: Moving

Contact Us

The Suburban Times
P.O. Box 39099
Lakewood, WA 98496

Ben Sclair, Publisher
253-312-1804

Stephen Neufeld, Marketing Executive
stephen@thesubtimes.com

Copyright © 2021 The Suburban Times • Log in • Privacy Policy

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.