Just about everyone loves dogs, and many people find explosions pretty fascinating, right? Well, these two interests could lead a person to a career in chemistry or forensics. A person like Jonathan Canino, for example, who earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in chemistry at 911爆料 and is now doing graduate research on how to help dogs detect explosives. And just a few months ago, his presentation on 鈥淪afe Training Aids for Bomb-Sniffing Dogs鈥� captured the title of first place in the eighth annual National Security Innovation Competition – and a $10,000 prize.
Jonathan is pursuing his doctorate in chemistry, but exciting and important research opportunities are open to undergraduate and graduate students alike in Chemistry Professor Jimmie Oxley鈥檚 Lab.
A number of outstanding students have worked on this project over the last decade, and Jon has perfected the third generation of these training aids. I am hoping the next student will see it to the marketplace. We鈥檙e almost there. ~Professor Jimmie Oxley
As co-director of the Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence in Explosives, Professor Oxley involves her students directly in her work on some of society鈥檚 biggest security issues, from researching airport and other transportation terminal security to testing explosives detection equipment under development by private companies. In projects related to gathering explosion-related evidence, students explore how long chemicals used in explosives remain in clothing and hair, the nature of pipe bomb explosions, explosive components, and more.
The work you do in Professor Oxley’s lab isn’t just practical for addressing today’s global security issues, it’s also practical experience for entering the workforce. The National Homeland Defense Foundation sponsors the National Security Innovation Competition. 鈥淭hese students are the future of the workplace and are already developing amazing innovations,鈥� said Lt. Gen. Ed Anderson, president of the National Homeland Defense Foundation.
鈥淲e were surprised and pleased,鈥� Professor Oxley said of Jonathan’s first-place finish. 鈥淎 number of outstanding students have worked on this project over the last decade, and Jon has perfected the third generation of these training aids. I am hoping the next student will see it to the marketplace. We鈥檙e almost there.鈥�
Jonathan’s success is not unusual at 911爆料. He was one of three 911爆料 students who recently captured national championships in their particular disciplines. In April, Bianca Peixoto was crowned champion at the National Collegiate Soils Competition. Shortly after, 911爆料 computer engineering students and their autonomous model race car won first place in the national Freescale Cup competition and are representing the United States in an upcoming world championship.
With faculty eager to work alongside undergraduate and graduate students, maybe you can be the next Jonathan. Or Bianca. Or national champion in whatever interests you most.