Story and photos by Logan Jackson
- Thao Nguyen – junior electrical engineering major
- Mentor: Syed Kamrul Islam, chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; professor
Research has been a key part of Thao Nguyen’s Mizzou experience. Nguyen will be a junior this fall and has already spent time in laboratories across campus where she has explored her interests and built a solid research portfolio.
Nguyen, an electrical engineering major, is adding to that portfolio this summer, through the Cherng Summer Scholars program. A nine-week research or creative scholarship program for Mizzou students who are pursuing the Honors Certificate, the Cherng Summer Scholars program allows students to participate in individually designed projects under the mentorship of a Mizzou faculty member. The program is supported by a gift from Peggy and Andrew Cherng and the Panda Charitable Foundation.
Nguyen is leading her own project tied to creating a device that can detect various viruses based on their permittivity and surface charge density.
“I received a scholarship from the Honors College my freshman year that was made possible by a gift from the Cherng family, so I was really excited to be named a Cherng Summer Scholar,” Nguyen said. “The cohort has been incredible, and I’ve learned so much from our discussions. I have an interest in medicine, so it’s been enjoyable to discuss that topic with peers who are trying to solve similar problems but by different means.”
Nguyen’s research centers on semiconductors, specifically field effect transistors, a type of transistor that uses an electric field to control the current flow. Nguyen is working with silicon nanowire.
“There are so many different transistors and semiconductors in today’s research that I wanted to be very specific,” Nguyen said. “I wanted to use silicon nanowire because those transistors showed a lot more sensitivity when it comes to detecting viruses.”
Nguyen has done an in-depth literature review and is using a computer-aided design software to design the transistor device. That software allows Nguyen to run simulations on the effectiveness of her design.
“I’m mainly trying to figure out the characteristics of the device and how I can better it,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen’s interest in research dates back to her time as a high school student when she participated in a handful of humanities-focused projects. When Nguyen arrived on the Mizzou campus two years ago, she was encouraged by her parents – who are both plant scientists – to investigate the natural sciences as well. Nguyen spent a year focusing on research tied to immunology at the Bond Life Sciences Center. Her current project is her first experience with engineering research.
Nguyen said she plans to continue to pursue research as a Tiger, especially projects tied to healthcare.
“I don’t know which field I enjoy more, but I’ve definitely enjoyed all of the research I’ve been able to conduct as a student,” Nguyen said. “It’s exciting to be part of projects that could potentially help others down the road.”