A passion for chemistry: Sean Johnson's internship at the National Institute of Standards and Technology

Senior Sean Johnson, majoring in Environmental Science and Stewardship, scanned his Department of Energy employee ID. “Beep,” the scanner blinked green, and the gate swung open. Johnson drove into the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, MD.

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship at the NIST was extremely competitive to get into. Around 1,500 students applied across the US, but only 150 were accepted. Johnson was one of them. He attributes this to class with Dr. Rachel Ford, the former chemistry professor at PHC.

“PHC does a good job in preparing a lot of the fundamental groundwork… but it was through Dr. Ford that I was allowed to translate those basics into an essentially tutored program of how to understand higher science.”

“Beep,” Johnson scanned his ID a second time. This time it was to get into his lab building, the National Center for Neutron Research. Once in the building, Johnson went to his office. He opened his computer and began checking emails to see if there were any new experiments he was supposed to run. Then, he began running sample calculations to learn how many different chemicals he needed to put into his samples and what instruments he’d need for the day.

Shutting the computer, Johnson went to his lab, snapped on rubber gloves, slid open his fume hood, and began making samples. After the samples were complete, he’d go to his instruments and run the samples, collecting data. Then, he’d go back to his office to begin data processing and observe what actions and patterns came out of the experiments.

This hands-on process of generating new knowledge by exploring physical material made Johnson realize two things.

“What I discovered is that… I have a passion for experimental work and for chemistry, and I have a passion for practical development.”

He is now considering going into chemical engineering and applying to graduate school.

“This internship [is] very valuable because graduate schools often want to see some sort of field experience or industry-related experience, and this internship is about as hands-on as you get.”

 Patrick Henry College exists to glorify God by challenging the status quo in higher education, lifting high both faith and reason within a rigorous academic environment; thereby preserving for posterity the ideals behind the "noble experiment in ordered liberty" that is the foundation of America.