Tyler Poi of Keller Conducting Chemistry Research at Southwestern University This Summer

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Tyler Poi

GEORGETOWN, TX (05/30/2012)(readMedia)-- Tyler Poi of Keller is one of 10 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.

Poi is working with Dr. Richa Chandra, visiting assistant professor of chemistry, on lipoprotein research. The two are looking at triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and their mechanism of oxidation within the body causing heart disease.

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 took chemistry experiments to show students at a local elementary school.

Poi is a junior chemistry major at Southwestern and hopes to attend medical school after completing his undergraduate studies.

Poi is the son of Joe and Lori Poi of Keller. He is a 2010 graduate of Keller High School.

Southwestern University is a selective, nationally recognized undergraduate liberal arts college with an enrollment of 1,350 students. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in Texas. For more information on Southwestern, visit www.southwestern.edu.