LSU PhD Candidate Meets Nobel Laureates in Germany
July 18, 2009
Julianne Audiffred, doctoral candidate in engineering science at LSU, and Baton Rouge native, was recently selected to attend the 59th annual Nobel Laureate Meeting in Lindau, Germany, which was held June 28 - July 3.
"This was an unbelievable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact with Nobel Laureates, as well as other students from the American delegation and around the world," said Audiffred. "This interdisciplinary experience has definitely motivated my current dissertation research and enhanced my global perspective of science."
The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings provide an international forum for the exchange of knowledge between Nobel Laureates and young researchers to inspire new avenues of study and build sustainable networks of researchers from around the world. Throughout the meeting, young researchers are presented with many opportunities to interact with the Nobel Laureates through panel discussions, seminars and social programs like lunches, dinners and even a boat ride.
While this year's meeting focused on chemistry, the discussions encompassed a broad base of research and application-based themes. The meeting serves to increase knowledge while also providing an outlet for communication, innovation and investigation among some of the world's most promising scientific minds.
"I especially enjoyed learning about the life and passions of Dr. Richard Ernst, who received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1991 for his contributions to the development of nuclear magnetic resonance, a vital tool in chemistry and medical diagnostics," said Audiffred. "Throughout these small panel discussions and dinners, I came to realize that the Laureates are real people and much more than just a 'name.'"
The selection process is very competitive, requiring a student be nominated from one of Lindau's academic partners or high-level scientific intuitions from around the world. Julianne Audiffred was chosen by LSU to move forward to the round of evaluation by Oak Ridge Associated Universities, or ORAU, a university consortium representing the scientific areas of 97 major research institutions to advance science and education by partnering with national laboratories, government agencies and private industry. Based on her research success and accomplishments, Audiffred was one of 11 students nominated by ORAU. In being accepted, Audiffred is one of the top 2.5 percent of all applicants.
ORAU's university consortium members, joined from around the world, were sponsored by Mars Inc.; U.S. Department of Energy; the National Institutes of Health; and the National Science Foundation.
Audiffred's graduate research advisor, Todd Monroe, associate professor in biological and agricultural engineering at LSU, was instrumental in guiding her research and supporting her on the way to receiving this nomination from ORAU.
"Julianne represents the finest product of LSU's graduate program, and I am glad that ORAU agreed that she serves as an excellent ambassador for us," said Monroe. "I cannot imagine a greater growth opportunity for a promising young scientist, to have the chance to meet and learn from Nobel laureates who represent the world's finest scientific minds. Julianne is the kind of student who can take such an opportunity and use it to share her excitement for science with other students from our area to promote such career paths. It is rewarding to see Louisiana students such as Julianne garnering such prestigious awards, excelling in fields that will bolster our economy, and have an interest in staying here to do just that."
Since completing both a bachelor's and master's degree in biological engineering at LSU, Audiffred has studied cellular and molecular engineering applications of biological cells in microfluidic devices. Her current dissertation research combines interdisciplinary fields of biology, chemistry and engineering, which she plans to apply to a career in the exciting field of biomedical research and development.
For more information about the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, visit www.lindau-nobel.de.
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Article excerpted from LSU media release by Ashley Berthelot, LSU Media Relations, 225-578-5706, mlavall@lsu.edu
