Engineering first-year student Michael Muse captivated three judges with a thorough explanation of the chemistry of radioactive elements such as uranium and thorium.
Moments after setting up his posterboard and charts, Muse walked away with third place and a trophy he describes as "gold and marble" at the annual Undergraduate Student Technical Research Project competition in Chicago.
"I was nervous and excited," Muse said. "I had never presented research before and I received a lot of positive feedback."
Muse and six other students have been working with chemistry Prof. Henry Griffin since September to refine a technique that calibrates a crystal detector - a device used to measure radiation emitted from various elements.
"This has given me the opportunity to give a formal presentation on science," Muse said. "You have the chance to present to people who didn't necessarily know anything about the topic."
Griffin said the next step Muse and his lab partner plan to take is to determine the ratio of Uranium 235 to Uranium 238 that exists naturally.
This kind of research will be helpful in determining the overall quality of Uranium fuel used by nuclear power plants, Griffin said.
"We have a group of seven students working on the project," Griffin said. "Mike and (his lab partner) have made a good team."
Muse's reward for his third place presentation was $50 and the opportunity to present his experiment at the National Society of Black Engineers Competition (NSBE) in Boston next month.
Winners of the nationwide USTRP competition in Boston will be awarded $2,000.
Before the Boston competition, Griffin and Muse will read through the judges' comments from the regional contest and make some final adjustments to the project.
Muse said he has enjoyed the challenge of working with Griffin.
"He always wants you to think and he poses new questions," Muse said. "He has also given us an opportunity to branch off in different directions.
"This will be my first national conference interacting with all students across the country from NSBE," Muse added. "I have nothing to lose."
JENNIFER BRADLEY-SWIFT/Daily
Engineering first-year student Mike Muse takes a closer look at his research at Phoenix Laboratory yesterday. Muse was awarded third place at the annual Undergraduate Student Technical Research Project.