The Undergraduate Research Assistants Program (URAP) is a program where students work one on one with a faculty member on a research project together. Students apply their senior year of high school and can work on their research program for four years. David Miller, a sophomore at Roanoke College, is a URAP student that works in the Chemistry department with Dr. Keithley. David decided to get involved in URAP to get a feel for the lab environment and to prepare for any graduate or professional programs. His project is titled “Carbon-Fiber Microelectrodes for use in Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetry”. He has been working on the optimization of the process for making disk shaped carbon-fiber microelectrodes.
David has enjoyed working with Dr. Keithley.
“Dr. Keithley is a mentor to me and is always helping me to see things differently and support me as well as pushing me to try things on my own and letting me run with some of my ideas for the project”
One of the most challenging aspects of David’s research has been optimizing the process for the electrodes.
“It requires thought and observation by comparison to ones we have already done and requires a drive to match a certain standard of quality.”
To anyone considering research, David says:
“Even if you are unsure but the door is open take the opportunity as long as you can still get all your course work done. Research is very valuable in its experiences and the bonds it builds with faculty and other students.”