2006 Summer Program Staff

Donna Hammer

Associate Director of MRSEC and Director of Summer Programs

We started the MRSEC Summer Programs in 2000 with just two science and engineering camps. The success of those two camps has lead to the development and implementation of over 10 different camps with multiple sessions. My work for this program includes camp curriculum development, hiring and training the instructors, program assessment, and participating in camp activities. The outcome of the camps has been tremendous due to great staff, motivating science and engineering activities, and a lot of fun!

Julie Callis

As the MRSEC Program Manager, I organize the camp registration and field all inquiries regarding camp logistics. In addition, I provide IT support for camp computers including networking and software applications. I also help with events including final presentations and evaluation. Last year, I participated in the program as an instructor for the Web Design and Development Camp.

Carolyn Garvey

Hello, I will be leading this summers Science, Engineering, and You (SEY) camp and assisting in the Microscopy camp. This will be my second year leading this SEY camp and I am looking forward to another fun summer of doing science experiments and hands-on science activities. My favorite science subjects are Entomology, Biology and Chemistry. When I am not instructing the summer camp I am working with MRSEC members and our partners to develop and carry out our education outreach programs. My successes from this past year include coordinating new two new MRSEC programs, the Pre-Engineering program and the Elementary Science program. Outside of work I spend most of my time playing the competitive sport of Ultimate Frisbee and seeing movies with friends.

Alex Prasertchoung

I am currently a PhD student in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Maryland. I received my Bachelor Degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Imperial College, London in 1997, and a Master Degree from University of Maryland in 2001. Before joining MRSEC in January 2006, I spent seven months doing research at the Fujitsu Laboratory Ltd. in Japan, and one year working in technology and software development at Fannie Mae. My research interest is in electronic materials, which includes thin films deposition, electrical characterization and testing, and scaling of the ferroelectric memory. Currently, I am working part-time at MRSEC teaching electronics and working on the MRSEC outreach programs evaluation. I have taught the spring electronics course, and currently run the summer electronics camp. I expect to graduate with a PhD in summer 2006. Apart from work, I played rugby for my universities, and local clubs in USA, and Japan. Currently, I am an active participant in the USTA tennis league.

Erin Lukomska-Schlauch

I am Erin Lukomska-Schlauch and this is my second year working as a Camp Instructor for MRSEC. I graduated from Parkdale High School with a University High School Natural Science Diploma. I am currently attending the University of Maryland, where I am working on obtaining a bachelors degree in both Secondary Education and Biology. In 2005, I helped as an assistant for the Microscopy and Biomaterials Camp as well as the Science Engineering and You Camp. This year, I will be leading the Microscopy Camp and assisting in several other camps. So far this summer, I have worked closely with the high school Inventors Camp and the Electronics Camp. I enjoy teaching all ages. I am very excited to continue working with the new campers for the rest of the summer. My aspiration is to teach at the high school level. My course load includes classes such as: Population Biology, Molecular Biology and General Chemistry. I have studied everything from the fine workings of a cell to the complete organism and gained extensive lab experience.

Sogee Spinner

My name is Sogee Spinner. I am currently a physics Ph.D. student at the University of Maryland and this summer I will be instructing the Science, Engineering And You and Roller Coaster camps. My physics interest is in particle physics, but I have had many encounters with electronics and I am looking forward to combining the knowledge I’ve gained with previous teaching experiences this summer at camp. Some of these experiences include: teaching and coaching swimming to middle school/high school students and instructing introductory electronics lab to college students.

Samuel Pinkava

Samuel Pinkava was born in Norway and, after several moves, settled in the state of Maryland. He is a Mathematics & Physics double major and will beginning a Masters of Education this coming year. Samuel has also completed the College Park Scholars program in Science, Technology and Society. He hopes to become a high school teacher after graduating Maryland.

Kevin Lin

My name is Kevin Lin and I am currently an undergraduate Physics major at Carnegie Mellon University. I am also considering a double major in Computer Science. My interests lie in teaching and research, specifically nanotechnology. For MRSEC, I will be maintaining these camp websites as well as taking pictures throughout the camps. I will also be assisting the other instructors in various ways in the camps. In my free time, I enjoy playing piano and guitar as well as table tennis.