Student-Faculty Research at the University of St. Thomas
At UST, our students and professors work side by side conducting research. With funding from Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships and Bush Foundation Grants, our students roll up their sleeves and gain valuable experience.
Nate Brandt senior
- Received a prestigious Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship to research photoinduced electron transfer between molecules
- Is a self-proclaimed "chemistry nerd"
- Puts the opportunity to conduct research as an undergraduate among his favorite parts of being a student at UST
- Made the dean's list last year
What's next for Nate?
Travel to Peru for a math and architecture class this J-Term. Obtain his masters and Ph.D. in chemistry. Teach at a university.
Learn more about chemistry, mathematics and study abroad at St. Thomas by visiting their Web sites.
Barjeta Balidemaj junior
- Lives on campus with her three best friends
- Already a published researcher and she's only 21 years old
- Used her Bush Foundation Grant to study "bridge-flipped" isomers, employing crystallographic methods
- Still finds time to volunteer at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minn.
What's next for Barjeta?
Survive her upcoming biology test. Anticipate an exciting senior year. Get into medical school.
Learn more about biology, the pre-medicine program, living on campus and volunteering at St. Thomas by visiting their Web sites.
Emily Sauter senior
- Studied for a semester during her junior year in Ireland at the University of Limerick
- Found her niche in the St. Thomas Anime Club, Japanese Club and Karate Club
- As a Bush Foundation Grant recipient, studied the art of persuasion and applied rhetorical theory to everyday public speeches in Minnesota
- Plans to present her research findings at an upcoming research conference and eventually turn them into a book about communication
What's next for Emily?
Take a year off to work as a freelance production assistant. Travel the globe. Apply to graduate schools. Contemplate a career in politics.
Learn more about communication & journalism, political science, study abroad and on-campus clubs & organizations at St. Thomas by visiting their Web sites.
Ryan Thompson senior
- Used his Bush Foundation Grant to develop a device that visually represents the timbre or musical quality of a single pluck on a classical guitar
- His one-of-a-kind machine will help new guitarists develop better playing techniques
- Can't decide which he loves more, The Simpsons or a crunchy roll from Nami, a sushi restaurant in Minneapolis
- His favorite part of his research came when his engineering professor said, "I never knew music could be so cool!"
What's next for Ryan?
Graduate this May. Start his career in engineering. Continue to pursue his true passion, classical guitar.
Learn more about engineering and music at St. Thomas by visiting their Web sites.
Rachel Piotraschke junior
- Never thought she would join the sailing team, enjoy theology classes or be a geology major in college
- Received a Bush Foundation Grant to intricately map Nevada's Bitter Spring Quadrangle (BSQ)
- Camped in the Nevada desert for two weeks last summer studying normal and strike-slip faults as part of her research
- Enhances her education at UST within the Aquinas Scholars honors program
What's next for Rachel?
Continue the mapping project in the BSQ. Attend graduate school. Consider a career in environmental consulting.
Learn more about geology and the Aquinas Scholars honors program at St. Thomas by visiting their Web sites.
Amy Gunty senior
- Fell in love with all things Italian during her J-Term abroad in Italy sophomore year
- Accidentally decided on her major after a chance meeting in which Dr. John Buri, a St. Thomas psychology professor, sparked her interest in the field
- Doesn't miss an episode of Grey's Anatomy
- Researched family dynamics in early childhood and their effect on one's view of the world later in life with a Bush Foundation Grant
What's next for Amy?
Present research at a regional conference. Present research at a national conference. Get published. Attend graduate school.
Learn more about psychology and mathematics at St. Thomas by visiting their Web sites.
Christian Lytlesenior
- Revived the Society of Physics Students Club at UST
- Spent a summer in Los Alamos, N.M. working in the facility where the first atomic bomb was created
- Doesn't miss a note in the UST Handbell Choir
- Used his Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship to create a computer program that corrects the view of light beams bent around galaxies millions of miles away
What's next for Christian?
Take a break from astrophysics to explore experimental physics. Apply to grad schools. Scour the United States for the finest rare steak.
Learn more about physics, liturgical & handbell choir, and on-campus clubs & organizations at St. Thomas by visiting their Web sites.
Sara Padleyjunior
- Spent last summer studying the role of parenting in young athletes' goals, sportspersonship and motivation as a Bush Foundation Grant winner
- Wants to solve the mystery behind the television show Lost
- Says the fact that her professors are approachable is her favorite thing about St. Thomas
- Has a weakness for banana bread
What's next for Sara?
Expand upon her research. Finish up college. Possibly become a kindergarten teacher.
Learn more about education or psychology at St. Thomas by visiting their Web sites.
View a list of all St. Thomas majors and minors.
