Nanoscale Engineering Major Credits UAlbany for Prestigious Summer Research Internship in D.C.

Brian Janiszewski works in the NIST cleanroom.

ALBANY, N.Y. (July 1, 2012) — Brian Janiszewski is convinced he has made it to the “big leagues” of scientific research.

A nanoscale engineering major at the University at Albany’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE), Janiszewski is participating in a globally-recognized summer internship at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Washington D.C. He was awarded an 11-week internship through the summer undergraduate research fellowship (SURF) program to study chemical surface patterning among world-renowned nanoscale researchers.

The UAlbany senior was recommended for the program after serving two summers as an undergraduate nanoscale researcher at CNSE. Though he had multiple internship offers on the table, Janiszewski said NIST was the obvious choice.

“I decided to branch out this summer to gain a broader prospective,” Janiszewski said. “NIST is as good as it gets when it comes to scientific research. I knew it would provide me an opportunity to learn from some of the best science minds in the world.”

Founded in 1901 and now part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NIST is one of the nation's oldest physical science laboratories. Today, NIST measurements support the smallest of technologies—nanoscale devices.

Janiszewki’s summer research involves a “class 100” cleanroom; cleanrooms are controlled environments classified according to the number of particles allowed per cubic foot of air. Janizewski is training to scan electronic microscopes which can pick up materials smaller than a dust particle. He must wear a specialized mask, suit, gloves and booties to prevent shedding of skin and hair.

“In the cleanroom environment, you are dealing with materials at the nano size,” Janiszewski said. “Anything can affect your work—even the smallest skin cell.”

Though Janiszewski is away from UAlbany this summer, he credits the University for preparing him for an internship of this magnitude. A member of the CNSE honors program, Janiszewski described his classes as packed with information and his professors very valuable.

“I’m constantly building my resume through my work with UAlbany professors. It definitely helped me land this position,” Janiszewski explains. He said he is not sure of what the future holds, however he hopes with NIST on his resume, he can transition into the science world upon graduation in spring 2013.

For more details on the CNSE undergraduate honors program, visit the CNSE Honors Program website.

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