2013-Scott Albert

Scott Albert
Major:  Chemical Engineering                                        
Minor:  Mathematics
Thesis:  Numerical Simulation of Blood Flow in the Renal Arteries: Influence of the Renal Ostium Flow Diverter

 

300 Word Statement

“I know I am human. I am just trying to make up for it.” I find that sometimes the passing remarks we make reveal a piece of who we really are.

I do not subscribe to the notion of the ideal Lafayette student. When I think back on my years at Lafayette, I remember the times that I helped others, reached out into our community, worked to achieve excellence within the classroom, devoted myself to our musical community, touched others through my friendship, continually sought knowledge and challenges, and most importantly, judged my actions and considered who I truly am.

Beyond this, I have no intention of listing my accolades, my experiences, nor my commitments. If you would like to learn about these, you can read further down on this webpage. I will say however, that all of my involvements have been equally important in defining who I am and discovering who I want to become.

I said earlier that when I look back on my time at Lafayette, I remember various experiences, all of which evoke fond memories. That being said I would be telling an incomplete truth if I stopped there. I also remember skipped lunches and dinners, periods of less than optimal personal hygiene, times where I watched the sun rise, reflected on its beauty, but wished that I had finished my work so that I could sleep.

I remember my failures. I remember my mistakes. I remember periods of self-doubt and uncertainty.

Despite this, I remember that I never gave up. My effort never diminished. I continued to make an impact in whatever way I thought best. I am not certain that Lafayette will remember me. I do know, however, that Lafayette is different because of me and I am different because of Lafayette.

 

Academic Activities and Total Years Involved

• Induction into Phi Beta Kappa, Tau Beta Pi, and Pi Mu Epsilon    2
  In my junior year I was inducted into the following honor societies: Phi Beta Kappa (Liberal Arts), Tau Beta Pi (Engineering), and Pi Mu Epsilon (Mathematics). I served as the Corresponding Secretary for Tau Beta Pi and was responsible for maintaining communication between the Lafayette TBP Chapter and TBP Headquarters, assisting with Election and Induction of new members, and formal contact between the Executive Board and general body.
• Honors Thesis: Numerical Simulation of Blood Flow in the Renal Arteries: Influence of the Renal Ostium Flow Diverter    1
  I am working with Professor Jenn Rossmann of the Mechanical Engineering Department in a collaborative project with the Laboratory of Cardiac Energetics at the National Institutes of Health. My project concerns the three-dimensional modeling of blood flow in the abdominal aorta near the branching point of the renal arteries. Specifically, I am investigating the significance of a recently discovered anatomical structure called the Renal Ostium Flow Diverter which appears to play a previously undefined role in diversion of flow to the renal arteries and the development of atherosclerotic lesions. I will be presenting this work with Professor Rossmann at the 2013 ASME Summer Bioengineering Conference in Oregon.
• EXCEL Scholar    2
  I conducted research as an EXCEL Scholar in my sophomore and junior years with Professor James Ferri and Professor Lauren Anderson of the Chemical Engineering Department, respectively. My work first concerned the subject of interfacial phenomenon, specifically concerning the analysis of physical deviations from the Young-Laplace Equation. In conjunction with this work I attended the Particle Stabilized Emulsions and Foams (PASTA) Conference in Madrid, Spain with Professor Ferri and another Lafayette student. In my junior year I studied murine fibroblast adhesion and the numerical quantification of focal adhesion complex formation.
• National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program   1
  In the summer of my junior year, I worked as a research intern in the Laboratory of Cardiac Energetics, headed by Dr. Robert Balaban (NHLBI Director of Intramural Research). My project concerned the detection of catalase in cardiac mitochondria. My work extended to the localization of catalase within the mitochondrion and an analysis of its physiological significance in the mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide processing pathways.
• Air Products and Chemical, Inc. Summer Intern    1
  In the summer of my sophomore year, I worked as a research intern in the R&D Technical Service at Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. under the supervision of Dr. Juan Burdeniuc. I worked in the synthesis of novel catalysts for the catalysis of the polymerization reaction of polyurethane foam.
• American Institute of Chemical Engineers Donald F. Othmer Award    1
  In my junior year I received the AIChE Donald F. Othmer Award which is awarded to the junior chemical engineering student who has attained the highest GPA during his/her first two years.
• William G. McLean Tau Beta Pi Prize    1
  In my sophomore year I received the William G. McLean TBP Prize which is awarded to ‘the sophomore engineering student based on academic performance, campus citizenship, and professional orientation.’
• Eugene P. Chase Phi Beta Kappa Prize    1
  In my sophomore year I received the Eugene P. Chase PBK Prize which is ‘awarded to a sophomore(s) who has demonstrated scholarship as a first year student.’
• Marquis Scholar    4
  The highest merit-based scholarship offered at Lafayette College.
• Dean’s List    4
  Awarded to Lafayette students with a GPA of 3.60 or greater.

 

Campus Activities and Total Years Involved

• Resident Advisor    3
  I have had the privilege of being the resident advisor on the Music Appreciation Floor during my sophomore, junior, and senior years at Lafayette.
• ATTIC Tutor    1
  Through the ATTIC organization I functioned as a tutor in organic chemistry and differential equations during my sophomore year.
• Residence Hall Council    1
  I participated in RHC as a representative for Easton Hall during my first year at Lafayette. RHC is a campus organization which plans and coordinates events for residence halls on campus.
• Music Appreciation Floor    4
  As a member of the Music Appreciation Floor, I have participated in the group’s many events during my undergraduate career. I have had the opportunity to assist as an organizer and performer at the organization’s Air Band and Lip Sync Competition which raised money for VH1’s Save the Music Foundation which promotes efforts to maintain musical programs in public schools.
• Resident Advisor Mentoring Program    1
  During my junior year I participated as a Resident Advisor mentor where returning resident advisors are paired with an RA that is first joining the staff.
• Engineering Open House    2
  During my sophomore and junior years I helped during the Engineering Open House. During my first involvement with the event I helped in a laboratory demonstration of microfluidic chip applications for prospective Lafayette engineering students. During my second involvement I served as a reference for internship opportunities in a presentation for prospective engineering students.
• Trumpet Player for the Hoff Awards    2
  During my first and second years at Lafayette I had the honor of playing the trumpet at the Aaron O. Hoff Award Ceremonies.
• Ken Brader Benefit Concert    1
  During the first semester of my senior year I participated in the Lafayette Jazz Band’s performance at the Ken Brader Benefit Concert. This concert was held as a fundraiser to help Ken Brader, Lafayette’s beloved Jazz Band director and trumpet teacher who has been dealing with personal medical issues.
• Lafayette Paper Article    1
  I wrote an article in the Lafayette Paper regarding a concert review that took place at the Williams Center for the Arts.

 

Community Service and Total Years Involved

• Habitat for Humanity in Birmingham, Alabama    1
  I participated in a week-long trip to Birmingham, Alabama where I helped in reconstruction efforts in two different areas that were devastated by severe storms that affected several states in the southern portion of the U.S.
• Best Buddies    1
  I participated as a general member in the campus chapter of Best Buddies where I helped during events that promoted college student interactions with members of the community with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Movies at the Mill    1
  As a member of Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society, I participated in a community outreach event in Easton, where we helped to prepare and organize a site for the showing of an outdoor movie for members of the Easton community.
• Lafapalooza    1
  During my junior year, I participated in Lafapalooza, a Lafayette day of community service where I helped at a local YMCA in landscaping efforts.
• Ken Brader’s Holiday Brass    1
  During my senior year, I participated in an event called Ken Brader’s Holiday Brass where brass instrument players joined together for a public Holiday concert in the outlet mall attached to the Sands Casino in Bethlehem.
• Trumpet Player for Easter Service    1
  I was a featured trumpet player at a local church (with Professor Emeritus Martin on the organ) for an Easter service.
• Trumpet Player for Christmas Services    2
  I played in a small ensemble for Christmas Service celebrations at Saint Catherine’s Church in Marlboro, N.J. for two years while a student at Lafayette.
• Community Band    2
  I participated as a featured soloist and ensemble member at the Community Band in Marlboro, N.J. which holds an annual summer concert to raise money for a particular charitable organization.
• National Jazz Day    1
  I played with the Lafayette Jazz Band at a public performance for the Easton Community in support of the National Jazz Day.

 

Athletics and Total Years Involved

• Intramural Soccer    2
  I was a member of the Music Appreciation Floor Intramural Soccer Team during my first year and second year at Lafayette.
• Intramural Volleyball    1
  I was a member of the Music Appreciation Floor Intramural Volleyball Team during my first year at Lafayette.

 

Special Interest and Total Years Involved

• Lafayette Concert Band    4
  I played with the Concert Band each year, transitioning from a general member in my first and second years to principal trumpet and section leader in my junior and senior years. As the principal trumpet player I have led sectional rehearsals, been responsible for the majority of solo sections, and communicated section needs with the director.
• Lafayette Jazz Band    4
  I played with the Jazz Band each year, transitioning from co-lead trumpet in my first and second years to lead trumpet my junior and senior years. Throughout my years with the Jazz Band I have been both a featured soloist and have played an assortment of written and improvised solos.
• Lafayette Pep Band    4
  I have played with Lafayette Pep Band (now the Lafayette Pride) each year at Lafayette. I have played with both the baseketball and football divisions of the ensemble.
• Trumpet Lessons    4
  I have pursued trumpet lessons each year at Lafayette. For the majority of these years my mentor was Mr. Ken Brader, except for a single semester where I studied with Dr. Melin. During my first semester at Lafayette I performed in the departmental recital at the conclusion of the semester.
• Marquis Players Pit Orchestra    2
  During my junior year, I played as the first trumpet in the pit orchestra of the Marquis Players production of My Favorite Year. This semester I have the privilege of playing with the group again for the upcoming show Curtains.
• Lafayette Brass Ensemble    2
  I played in the Brass Ensemble throughout the entirety of its existence at Lafayette. After the formal end to the program in my sophomore year, the members of the group were able to continue it for another semester as an entirely student-run ensemble.
• Percussion Ensemble and New Music Ensemble    1
  I participated as a featured soloist in the Percussion Ensemble and as a member of a small ensemble in the New Music Ensemble during my first year at Lafayette.
• Interim Trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos    1
  I participated in an interim trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands during my sophomore year. There I studied both geology and evolution. It was a truly amazing experience that diverged completely from my major.
• Lafayette Leadership Institute
  I attended the Leadership Institute at Lafayette where I participated in several workshops which helped to strengthen my approach to leadership.
• American Institute for Chemical Engineers
  I have been a member of the campus chapter of AIChE during all four years at Lafayette.