Patrick Flanigan of Austin Conducting Chemistry Research at Southwestern University This Summer

Related Media

Patrick Flanigan

GEORGETOWN, TX (06/30/2011)(readMedia)-- Patrick Flanigan of Austin (ZIP 78748) is one of 11 students conducting research at Southwestern University this summer as part of the Welch Summer Research Program, which is funded by the Robert A. Welch Foundation of Houston. The Welch Foundation has funded this program in Southwestern's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry since 1985.

Students selected for the program receive a stipend as well as living expenses that enable them to spend eight weeks conducting research with Southwestern faculty members.

Flanigan is working with Emily Niemeyer, professor of chemistry, to study the development of water-soluble pigments known as anthocyanins in purple basil plants.

In addition to the research component, students who participate in the Welch summer program also do science outreach activities for children in the Georgetown community. This year's program participants helped with Science Day activities at a local elementary school.

Flanigan is a junior biochemistry major at Southwestern. He hopes to become a neurosurgeon.

Flanigan is the son of Edward and Sara Flanigan of Austin. He is a 2009 graduate of James Bowie High School.

Southwestern University is a selective, nationally recognized undergraduate liberal arts college with an enrollment of 1,370 students. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in Texas. For more information on Southwestern, visit www.southwestern.edu.