Two Clarkson University Chemical Engineering Undergrads Awarded Research Internships in Germany

Potsdam, NY (05/19/2021) — Two Clarkson University undergraduates from the laboratory of Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biomolecular Science and Kodak CAMP Distinguished Professor Mario Wriedt have been awarded Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE) by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

Tony Koppers '22 of Cazenovia, N.Y., an honors student majoring in chemical engineering, and Michael Sehn '23 of Chenango Forks, N.Y., a chemical engineering major, will travel to Germany this summer for the three-month internships.

"These are two very competitive fellowships to conduct research at top-tier universities," said Wriedt. "Tony and Michael have conducted research in my lab for two years now. Both are high-shooting with lots on their plates, yet they still manage to be involved in cutting-edge research."

At the University of Applied Sciences, Lubeck, Koppers will utilize chemical vapor deposition techniques for the advancement of MOF (metal-organic framework) materials for energy applications.

At Kiel University, Sehn will work on the discovery of new MOF materials for energy applications using high-throughput synthesis tools.

Wriedt, who assisted the students in finding research collaborators in Germany, says that the two will still be able to work together while away. "As the two universities are only 30 miles apart, Tony & Michael will be able to collaborate informally," he says.

This fall, Sehn will start his master of science degree in chemical engineering even as he continues to finish his bachelor's degree.

Funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, RISE Germany offers undergraduate students from North American, British and Irish universities the opportunity to complete a summer research internship at top German universities and research institutions.

Students are matched with a host university or institute according to their area of interest (biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, engineering, or a closely related field) and provided with a monthly stipend for three months to help cover living expenses. Host universities, universities of applied sciences and institutes provide housing assistance and match students with Ph.D. student mentors or researchers

Read more at www.daad.de/rise/en/rise-germany.

As a private, national research university, Clarkson is a leader in technological education and sustainable economic development through teaching, scholarship, research and innovation. We ignite personal connections across academic fields and industries to create the entrepreneurial mindset, knowledge and intellectual curiosity needed to innovate world-relevant solutions and cultivate the leaders of tomorrow. With its main campus located in Potsdam, N.Y., and additional graduate program and research facilities in the New York Capital Region, Beacon, N.Y., and New York City, Clarkson educates 4,300 students across 95 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, the arts, education, sciences and health professions. Our alumni earn salaries that are among the top 2.5% in the nation and realize accelerated career growth. One in five already leads as a CEO, senior executive or owner of a company.

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L-R: Tony Koppers '22 of Cazenovia, N.Y., and Michael Sehn '23 of Chenango Forks, N.Y.