Sponsored by Dr. Kebra Ward

Authors: Ezmeralda Albright, Solaima Antunez, Sam Broderick, Tea Caravello, Maya Dey, Cameron Gingrich, Alexa Macdonald, Abigail Morrison, Katrina Nakaya, Natalie Rich

In this travel course, students embarked on an educational journey to South Africa, combining scientific exploration with cultural immersion. The course began in Cape Town, where participants delved into the country's history before advancing to practical scientific training at Nelson Mandela University. Here, they engaged in hands-on learning with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a technique that produces high-resolution images by scanning a focused beam of electrons across a sample. Students prepared both biological and non-biological samples for SEM imaging, learning the process from sample preparation to image capture. They explored the university's research facilities, met with faculty in related departments, and applied their learning in a real-world context. The experience will culminate in presenting their SEM images and research findings at the MCLA Undergraduate Research Conference. Through these presentations, students will illustrate the SEM methods utilized and the significance of their images, showcasing their contribution to scientific understanding.