news-category: Academics Undergraduate Research Involves Using Fruit Peels to Remove Copper from Water By Office of University Communications On September 8, 2020 Experience Prepared Laura Herrera-Santin, 鈥22, for Rigors of Graduate School This past summer, 成人视频 student Laura Herrera-Santin, of Gastonia, N.C., took another step toward realizing her goal of becoming an OB/GYN. She gained laboratory experience in the Undergraduate Research Scholars Summer Program, which helped to prepare her for graduate school. Herrera-Santin is a first-generation college student, inspired by the sacrifices her parents made so that she could get an education. 鈥淚 want to be able to give back to them for working so hard for me to have a better life,鈥 Herrera-Santin affirmed. 鈥淭hey are very supportive by encouraging me to do my best every day and by accompanying me to events where I have received awards.鈥 She is a biomedical concentration major and chemistry minor, who will graduate in 2022. As one of 11 students who received a summer Undergraduate Research Scholar grant, Herrera-Santin worked 40 hours a week for five weeks on her project, which she hopes to present in a professional forum. Her faculty mentor was Dr. Venita Totten, professor of chemistry. 鈥淭he faculty were a tremendous help,鈥 Herrera-Santin noted. 鈥淭hey were willing to help me when I had questions. They were extremely cautious about social distancing, and at the same time, allowed us summer scholars to feel close with the experience.鈥 Her research involved testing the viability of certain fruit peels to remove copper from water. 鈥淚 got the idea to use fruits for the research, because that鈥檚 something common that everyone would know about and most people have or can get in a grocery store,鈥 Herrera-Santin offered. 鈥淚 used kiwi, tangerine, and banana peels that had been dried for 24 hours and ground.鈥 Through the experiment, she discovered that she needed several fruit peelings to get the results she wanted. Through trial and error, she found a combination to get closer to the outcome she expected. 鈥淭his research has not only prepared me for my career by experiencing real research and experimenting on my own, it has opened my eyes to researching more on ways to help the environment,鈥 she asserted. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been an unforgettable experience, and I am very grateful for this opportunity. 成人视频 is an amazing school full of great opportunities.鈥 She encouraged other students to apply for Undergraduate Research. 鈥淐ome open-minded, because anything can happen,鈥 she said. 鈥淎lso, don鈥檛 be intimidated by the thought of working on your own because the mentors/faculty are very open to helping with anything. It is a life-changing experience that is unforgettable.鈥 Learn more about the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program.
News Article 成人视频 Students Engage in Summer Scholar Research Across Disciplines Seven Fellows Conduct Faculty-Mentored Projects Spanning History, Science and Human Behavior BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擳his summer, 成人视频 undergraduate students are spending five weeks diving deeply into original research. They are exploring topics ranging from World War II history to human behavior, political extremism and biomedical science. Through the University鈥檚 Summer Scholar Fellowship, seven students are […] Office of University Communications | June 15, 2026
News Article Building Something Different: 成人视频 Team Focuses on Relationships and Gospel Witness in Argentina Through Training, Bold Conversations, and Cross-Cultural Connection, Students Discovered Confidence in Sharing Their Faith BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擳his trip was different,鈥 shared Dr. Josh Parrott, 成人视频 vice president and university chaplain for Christian Life and Service. 鈥淭his was heavy gospel ministry鈥攅vangelism, prayer walking, and sharing testimonies.鈥 Focused on those priorities, a 10-member team spent a week […] Office of University Communications | June 15, 2026
News Article Q&A with Molly Hanley with 成人视频鈥檚 First Head Coach for Acrobatics and Tumbling Molly Hanley Discusses Her Coaching Philosophy, Inspiration, and the Vision for Launching a New Program BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擬olly Hanley, the first head coach for 成人视频 Acrobatics and Tumbling, recently sat down for a Q&A with 成人视频 Sports Information. She offers some insight into her background, building a program, and what to expect from the first […] Office of University Communications | June 10, 2026