By Jena O’Brien
Bluffton University public relations student assistant
Chelsea Zoltowski, a Bluffton University senior chemistry major from Sylvania, spent the past summer in Chicago working in the field of drug discovery.

This was her second such experience. Previously she researched biomimicry during a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) internship at the University of Akron.

For two months, Zoltowski interned at the pharmaceutical company AbbVie doing research on tuberculosis.

“TB is known as a neglected disease,” said Zoltowski. “Bigger pharmaceutical companies don't funnel as much money into the research of the disease because the mechanism in which the bacteria works makes it complicated to cure.”

Experiences like Zoltowski’s reveal the possibilities students can pursue within their majors.

“This experience really opened my eyes to all that there is available to study in the field of chemistry, but ultimately it has just widened my search as opposed to narrow it down,” Zoltowski joked.

The internship also broadened Zoltowski’s experience in a lab setting. She explained that the field of research is very messy but also very rewarding.

“This internship has really helped me refine my research techniques and experience,” said Zoltowski, who added that her professors have been extremely helpful by writing letters of recommendation and sharing about internship opportunities.

Dr. Stephen Harnish, professor of mathematics, helped Zoltowski land the internship through connections with one of the leaders at AbbVie.

At the urging of Dr. Charles Daws, professor of chemistry, Zoltowski completed a REU internship in the summer of 2016. During that experience, Zoltowski studied how geckos stick to surfaces by examining interfaces, the point where two materials come in contact with each other.

“The professors not only push us in the classroom and help us with these experiences, but they have helped set up events where students from our department, including myself, are able to share with about our research experiences and what we got out of it. It helps younger students who are looking and applying for similar experiences to see that there are many opportunities to pursue,” said Zoltowski.

As Zoltowski completes her final year at Bluffton, she has found that these unique opportunities have revealed the possibilities of what her future might hold. 

“Coming in as a freshman, I had one idea of what I could do with a chemistry degree, and now going into my senior year I have so many ideas thanks to the experiences I have participated in and the opportunities offered to me the past two summers.