华体会

Free Radicals Take Shape

Free Radicals science club members

By Lori Putnam

No, they鈥檙e not political activists. With a name like Free Radicals, it鈥檚 easy to make that assumption of this CI science club. And while no one among the current club leadership can quite put their finger on the name鈥檚 origin, it鈥檚 a safe bet that it has to do more with electrons and protons than protest signs and riot gear.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a play on words,鈥 says club president Ashley Bonneau. 鈥淚鈥檝e been asked about our political aim, especially since our club logo is a fist grasping an organic compound.鈥

The Free Radicals got their start in Spring 2006 under the leadership of Professor of Chemistry Philip Hampton and Dr. Simon Garrett. Dr. Hampton had previously served as the advisor of a chemistry club at the University of New Mexico and used fundraisers like selling lab books to sponsor activities such as student attendance at national conferences. He thought the same could be done at CI.

Then last October the Free Radicals became involved with the local community by hosting a science carnival. With a goal to provide elementary students with fun experiences with science, the event drew 500 people. Dr. Hampton credits Bonneau and her fellow club officer, Mary Grabiak, with turning his idea into reality.

鈥淚 realized the carnival was a success when we were greeted with shouts of, 鈥業 love science鈥 after one of our demonstrations,鈥 says Bonneau, now a senior majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what we鈥檙e about 鈥 loving science.鈥

Last Spring Bonneau was named a Goldwater Scholar. The prestigious award, named in honor of former U.S. Senator Barry M. Goldwater, is given to college students pursuing careers in math, natural science, and engineering. She is CI鈥檚 first Goldwater Scholar, and the only student from the CSU system to receive the honor this year.

As club president, Bonneau hopes the Free Radicals will encourage more undergraduate research opportunities through informal mixers with faculty. In the meantime, she extends an open invitation to the CI community to attend a club meeting. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to be a science student,鈥 says Bonneau. 鈥淵ou just need to have an interest or question about science.鈥 And chances are a Free Radical will have an answer for you鈥r at least have fun solving the equation.

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