Fox Cities News

UW Oshkosh students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to the Culver Family Welcome Center between 4 and 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, to engage with student scholars and gain insight into the research process and broader impact of these studies.

Sixteen University of Wisconsin Oshkosh student scholars who spent their summer researching topics ranging from microplastics in Lake Michigan to global hunger will present their findings at the 2024 McNair and Beckman Research Showcase.

Included in the showcase are the first two Beckman Scholars: Aedon Langkau, a junior majoring in chemistry with an emphasis on biomolecular science; and Diana Koehler, a senior majoring in biology.

While McNair has occupied a strong presence at UWO since 2007 during which it has supported over 200 scholars, the Beckman Scholars Program is new to UW Oshkosh.

Like McNair, Beckman Programs assist high-achieving undergraduates prepare for graduate study by engaging in a paid, faculty-mentored research project. Eligible McNair scholars can come from any discipline and receive a summer research stipend of $4,300 plus paid graduate school visits and conference attendance. Beckman scholars conduct research exclusively in chemistry or biological and medical sciences and receive a stipend of $18,200 over two summers and two semesters.

The program is named for chemist Arnold Beckman, who created the foundation that supports young scientists.

Langkau is making strides in his research on proteins secreted by Mycolicibacterium species RJGII-135. He said preliminary research has shown that it can eat complex molecules known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Langkau worked under Sabrina Mueller-Spitz's mentorship at UW Oshkosh.

“Due to the ability of RJGII-135 to degrade PAHs,” Langkau said. “My mentor has theorized that it may also be able to degrade Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), which is the primary component of some plastic products including recyclable water bottles.”

Koehler spent her summer analyzing water samples taken from 15 of Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan beaches via Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. Her mentor was Greg Kleinheinz.

“My project is significant because for mitigation efforts to take place,” she said. “Sources of microplastics must be identified.”

Koehler was drawn to STEM because of her curious nature. “The world is full of mysteries and unanswered questions,” she said. “I love being able to ask a question and work to find the answer.”

Langkau also finds satisfaction in his research work. “I find studying and performing research in biomolecular science satisfying not only because it feels like I’m uncovering small mysteries but also because it provides a way to potentially help people on a large scale,” he said.

Cordelia Bowlus oversees both programs at UW Oshkosh. She underscores their importance in nurturing future researchers.

“Aedon and Diana have been imitable representatives of the Beckman Scholars Program,” she said. “One of the Beckman Program’s strengths is that it funds participants over 15 months.”

The showcase will feature poster presentations from both McNair Scholars such as Ramzy Baji, Sam Badjie, Damon Braatz among others; as well as Beckman Scholars Aedon Langkau and Diana Koehler.