Ethan Shutika named LHU Nano Scholar

Related Media

Ethan Shutika

LOCK HAVEN, PA (10/06/2011)(readMedia)-- Ethan L. Shutika of Bellefonte has been named a Lock Haven University Nanoscience Scholar. The Nanoscience Scholars program is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation's scholarship program in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM).

LHU Nano Scholars receive renewable scholarships. The amount is determined by need, with a maximum award of $10,000 a year per student. The scholarships allow the students to focus on their studies and not have to hold down a job. In addition, after their sophomore year, students are required to go to Penn State University for the summer and take 18 credit hours in their Nanomanufacturing and Technology facility. The scholarships cover this part of their education as well.

The Lock Haven University Nanosciences project takes a cross-disciplinary approach. As Professor Goonewardene points out, ""Nanoscience is the cutting edge for interdisciplinary sciences. No matter what branch of science a student pursues, whether it's biology or chemistry or physics or any other branch, nanotechnology has tremendous applications."

Lock Haven University is at the forefront in nanotechnology undergraduate education. At LHU, Nanotechnology is embedded in all its STEM B.S. programs and provides unique opportunities for undergraduates to do cutting edge research in the field. An average of 10 LHU students each year present their research at national conferences. Over 76% of students in the nano program participate in research with faculty, an unheard of rate for most universities. LHU also places some of its outstanding juniors at national research universities across the nation for summer research internships that are fully funded; last year 5 LHU students were placed in fully funded research internships.

In addition, the LHU nanotechnology program has a graduate school placement rate of over 50%. Last spring five LHU nano graduates were admitted to Ph.D., M.S., and M.D. programs across the country.

These successes have been recognized by the National Science Foundation through its multiple funding awards to the program since 2008. To date, the NSF has given the LHU nano program grants of over $800,000.

Shutika is a 2009 graduate of Bellefonte Area High School. He is majoring in Biology/Chemistry-Medical Technology. He is the son of Larry Shutika and Beth Shutika.

Lock Haven University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the largest provider of higher education in the commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 405,000 system alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

####