Extensive research is happening all over Penn's campus on a daily basis, but few students are given the chance to share their work with those outside of their field of study.
Today, College junior Magdalena Jonikas will present her research in bioengineering as the inaugural speaker in a program called the Emerging Scholar Talks, developed by Communication Within the Curriculum.
After an rigorous application process, Jonikas was chosen to give a talk called "Methodological Magic: Turning Skin to Bone."
The purpose for developing this new program was not only to further involve CWiC with the Penn community, but also because the program "echoes the primary purpose of the University: to share knowledge freely as an intellectual community," College senior and CWiC Student Editorial Board member David Bodimer said.
"In the fall 2003 semester, we laid the groundwork for our [EST] series," Bodimer added.
Jonikas was one of many students who tried out to become the first Emerging Scholar.
Jonikas "brings a lot of passion to her subject" and therefore was the perfect fit for the first Emerging Scholar Talk, CWiC Associate Director Bruce Lenthall said.
Passion was just one of many attributes CWiC board members looked for when selecting this year's speaker, especially because this is the first EST event.
"The criteria we sought in a speaker was not only outstanding research, but also the capacity to envision how to present this information to a broad university audience beyond their chosen field," Bodimer said.
CWiC has especially helped Jonikas develop this explanative skill in her speaking capabilities.
"It has been useful to work with people who are not in my field, so that I can make sure that the material I am presenting is accessible to a lay audience," Jonikas said.
The application process, which began at the start of this semester, weeded out students until the top finalists were chosen to return for an interview.
All applicants had to provide CWiC with three criteria to demonstrate their qualifications, Lenthall explained. First, students provided a written explanation of their research. Second, the applicants explained why their research is of interest to "an academically diverse audience." Finally, students described their speaking experiences.
In reference to her past speaking experience, Jonikas said, "I have given talks about my research through the University Scholars Program, but to a much smaller audience."
For over a year Jonikas has been studying with Bioengineering lab professor, Steven Nicoll, "working on developing viable tissue-engineered bone constructs, which would provide an alternative source of bone grafts," she said.
Her speech, therefore, will explain her studies with Nicoll, including how she has stimulated "skin cells to turn into bone cells by culturing them in the presence of vitamin D," Jonikas said.
In order to ultimately present this speech, Bodimer explained that for the last month Jonikas has attended "weekly meetings where she would present to [CWiC board members], and we would discuss her presentation and provide editorial feedback. ... Magda's initially good presentation has developed into something of excellent quality."
As she puts the finishing touches on her presentation, Jonikas offered some advice to students.
"There are amazing opportunities here at Penn that are accessible to you, no matter what your interests are, all you need to do is make the effort to be proactive."
