Elon University senior Daniel Glass has been honored by the National Society of Physics Students with the 2010 Outstanding Student for Undergraduate Research Award for the "superior caliber” of his work on the engineering of nanomaterials for future use in pharmaceutical companies.
Glass will represent the Society of Physics Students of the United States from Aug. 17-23, 2010, at the International Conference of Physics Students in Austria, where he will present his research. Travel expenses, room, board and conference fees are covered by the Society.
In addition to the conference, Glass also received a $500 stipend and will receive another $500 for Elon’s Society of Physics Students chapter.
Glass has worked alongside his mentor, physics assistant professor Ben Evans, developing methods for assembling magnetic microspheres in large quantities. Magnetic microspheres have the potential to decrease side effects in treatments, including chemotherapy, by delivering the treatment directly to the affected area.
Magnetic microspheres serve as carriers, which can be navigated using “external magnetic fields” to a specific area within a body before administering the drugs. The new microspheres have the advantage of a significantly higher magnetic concentration than currently available products.
In addition, their composition might allow for a greater capacity to adsorb certain drugs.
Applications for the award were judged on the quality of the abstract, letters of recommendation and demonstration of active participation in the Society of Physics Students.
Glass is the son of David and MaryAnn Glass of Philadelphia, Pa.