An ISU graduate student in chemistry has been chosen by the U.S. Department of Energy to attend a convention in Germany. Nobel Laureates in chemistry, physics and medicine gather annually in Lindau, Germany, to meet with student researchers.

Christine Aikens has been chosen as one of 30 students from across the nation to attend the Noble Laureates Conference. This year, the emphasis is in chemistry.

The students chosen had research funded by the Department of Energy or the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The program is being administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education for the Department of Energy and Oak Ridge Associated Universities.

Aikens said she was chosen not because of a specific research project she was working on but on the basis of her potential to research in the future.

Mark Gordon, director of the Applied Mathematical Sciences Program in the Ames Lab, nominated Aikens.

“It is a wonderful experience for a student to have, and [Aikens] is very deserving,” said Gordon, distinguished professor of chemistry.

Only one student can be nominated per university each year.

Gordon said second-year graduate students, such as Aikens, are those students that the program targets. She is also working on a theoretical project involving chemistry and computer science that is related to the DOE. Gordon said Aikens is a qualified applicant due to her accomplishments.

“She is very smart and has her own National Science Foundation Fellowship,” Gordon said.

Gordon and Aikens filled out the application together. The application called for a background of the student, his or her accomplishments, background on any research the student may be conducting and a summary of why the student should attend the convention in Germany. The applications were then sent to the DOE, where Aiken’s application was chosen over others from across the nation.

The meeting will begin on Monday with an opening ceremony. Following this will be open discussion between the students and the Nobel Laureates who have received the distinguished honor of the Nobel Prize in chemistry.

“There are a couple that I’m really excited to meet,” Aikens said. “One especially, who was my professor’s graduate professor.”

There will be several lectures, discussions, and social activities for the students to participate in.

Aikens plans to stay in Germany for a few days following the meeting to tour the surrounding cities.