TROY, N.Y. — Two driven Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute science students who will participate in the university’s 200th Commencement on May 20 are speeding up their education. Part of a new accelerated Ph.D. science program at Rensselaer, Jordan Mader (chemistry and chemical biology) and Amanda Lund (biology) are on track to finish their bachelor and doctoral degrees in seven years, two ahead of average.

Both Mader and Lund finished a bachelor of science degree in three and a half years last December and have already begun their Ph.D. work.

The students also are highly motivated in their pursuit of research opportunities that address energy and health issues: Mader is working to improve fuel cells; Lund is conducting biomedical research on adult stem cells.

Jordan Mader, of Glens Falls, N.Y., says her decision to pursue a career in science began with the encouragement of teachers at Glens Falls Middle and High Schools.

“My science teachers were role models for me,” she says. “I feel lucky to have been involved in such a phenomenal science program before college.”

It was during AP Chemistry in the 11th grade that Mader was first introduced to fuel cells as a special project; one she says interested her because of the need for alternative energy sources. “We didn’t have much success building fuel cells in that class, but the idea stuck in my head,” she says. 

Mader now conducts research on new polymer membranes for use in fuel cells with Brian Benicewicz, professor of chemistry and chemical biology and director of the New York State Center for Polymer Synthesis at Rensselaer. She also is working with Benciewicz on a book chapter about polymer membranes for fuel cells that will be included in a book on advances in polymer science.

She says she feels grateful to be part of the advanced Ph.D. program because it enables her to do meaningful research while continuing academic study.

“Fuel cells are emerging as a promising technology to meet the world’s energy needs, which makes my research both exciting and important,” Mader says.

Benciewicz agrees. “We see increasing interest among companies and other researchers in fuel cells. Our students are well aware that this research is needed in order to find ways to develop fuel cells into applied technologies.”

This past March, Mader was a volunteer for Design Your Future Day, an opportunity for female high school juniors to visit Rensselaer and participate in activities to inform and excite them about career opportunities in engineering, science, architecture, and technology. She presented an activity on fuel cells and answered questions from the spirited young women. Mader understood their enthusiasm — she had attended the event as a high school junior herself.

“I came to RPI when I was in high school and realized that there are other women doing science, there are other girls my age interested in this. It was great to realize women are a presence in the sciences,” Mader says.   

Amanda Lund, of Chester, Conn., has proven herself to be a team-player — as a student athlete and a researcher. 

“It was very important to me to continue pursuing my many interests while in college. At RPI, I have been able to participate in academics, sports, research, and more while taking advantage of the advanced Ph.D. opportunity,” says Lund. “The atmosphere around campus is encouraging because you realize that everyone here has ideas about what they can do.” 

On the field, she served as co-captain and goalie of the Rensselaer field hockey team, which has repeatedly been recognized as the Division III team with the highest grade point average in the country. Lund was chosen for the association’s National Academic Squad during all four seasons of play. She also ranked as one of the best goaltenders in the Liberty League, near the top in categories including save percentage and shutouts. 

In the laboratory, she is applying a novel method to find ways to develop adult stem cells into bone cells. She works with an interdisciplinary Rensselaer research team, led by assistant professor of biology and her adviser George Plopper and including faculty and students from the fields of biomedical engineering, biology, mathematical sciences, electrical, computer, and systems engineering, and computer science.

“Amanda is a very bright student who takes initiative as a researcher,” says Plopper. “She identifies what needs to be done and then goes ahead and finds a way to do it. She thrives on the interaction between disciplines and is helping to bridge our lab with other collaborative groups.” 

Lund, who was listed as the third author on a peer-reviewed research paper in Biotechnology and Bioengineering last year, feels as though she has gotten a head start on her career. After earning her Ph.D., she’s interested in working in the biotechnology industry. “It’s important to me that my research is more than basic biology, but that it has potential medical applications,” she says. “I feel as though I’ll come out of this academic experience with a practical perspective.” 

Lund says she has always been curious about what is happening in the natural world around her.

“I participated in events called ‘invention conventions’ in elementary school and won the state competitions a few times. I still remember the berry bucket I made one year,” she laughs. “It included a funnel so that berries wouldn’t fall out while you were picking fruit.”

Contact: Tiffany Lohwater
Phone: (518) 276-6542
E-mail: lohwat@rpi.edu