Science, Technology and Society
Top Senior Award: Excelling in science as well
as in the humanities and social sciences, the Top Science,
Technology, and Society senior applies insights and knowledge
gained from this interdisciplinary education to understanding and
solving public problems.
Tim Dawson, an STS major, is going into medical
practice and research. His honors thesis examines factors
contributing to an increase in peri-natal HIV transmissions in
Indianapolis. Tim identifies problems with HIV stigma and
with the doctor-patient relationship as being factors influencing
whether a woman is tested for HIV and, thus, whether her baby
receives protection if she is infected.
The STS Community Service Award recognizes the
student who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to
contribute STS-related skills and knowledge to the wider
community.
As an STS major, Kari Maxwell has thrown
herself into environment-related community service, as an intern
with the Hoosier Riverwatch and as an intern with the Butler Center
for Urban Ecology. She monitors our water, she organizes
White River cleanups; she manages our rain barrel project, biking
all over our city collecting water samples from our rain barrels,
and organizes the networking lunches in the Center. And these
are just some, certainly not all, of her contributions.
The STS Science Communication
Award recognizes the student who demonstrates
excellence in writing about science or research on science
communication.
Sarah Soltis, an STS major, demonstrates in her recent
research how health care products that have been banned by the FDA
are repackaged and marketed on bogus consumer health websites.
Sarah is a junior from Des Moines, IA.
McGaughey Award is an LAS-wide need-based award
recognizing continuing students who show talent and
initiative.
Aaron Kelpin
Engineering
and STS major, Aaron Kelpin is working on a self-sustaining solar
energy cell. Michael Strano, professor of engineering at MIT,
has invited Aaron to work with him over the
summer.