Sciences Alumni Partner With Students on Research

As a student at Valparaiso University, Paul Wischmeyer ’92 had the chance to conduct research at the Mayo Clinic.

Today, he credits that experience with helping admit him to medical school at the University of Chicago and become an award-winning researcher in the area of intensive care medicine and critical care nutrition.

An associate professor of anesthesia and director of nutrition support at the University of Colora­do Health Sciences Center in Denver, Wisch­meyer is mak­ing sure Valpo students have the same op­portunities he did. Since 2000, six students have worked with him on research projects, and each has gone on to medical or dental school or a Ph.D. program.

“I was given many great opportunities by physicians at the Mayo Clinic when I was a student, so I want to give back to other Valpo students what was given to me,” Wischmeyer says. “I owe it, in fact.”

This summer, he is conducting research with Valpo biology/chemistry major Nina Kiselinova on whether a drug used to stop the formation of blood clots can be used more effectively to help patients recover from surgery.

Wischmeyer is not alone in wanting to mentor Valpo sciences students. Sandra Rosenthal ’87, associate professor of chem­istry at Vanderbilt University, is conducting research this summer with students Rebekka Sneed and Jared Friedhoff.

They are studying semiconductor nanocrystals, also called quantum dots, which emit broad spectrum white light and may someday be used in highly efficient solid-state lighting.

“While I was a student at Valpo, I had a summer undergraduate research experience at the University of Chicago, and that opportunity really cinched my decision to pursue graduate studies,” Rosenthal says. “Now I can offer a similar experience to today’s Valpo students, so it’s one way I can give back to the university.”

Wischmeyer and Rosenthal are among numerous Valpo sciences alumni serving as mentors. To join them, send an e-mail to Warren Kosman ’67, chair of the department of chemistry, at warren.kosman@valpo.edu.