Local student conducts summer research at Monmouth College
Monmouth, IL (07/27/2018) — Lexi Tibbs, a senior biochemistry major from New Holland, Ill., recently spent eight weeks as a Kieft Summer Research Student at Monmouth College.
Tibbs worked on a project titled "Synthesis of Lignin Monomer Alcohols."
"Through the potential synthesis of my final product, I am enabling the college to save money due to the expense of the product that I am seeking to create," she said. "It is a material that can be used in different fields of research, but unfortunately is rather expensive for small quantities."
Tibbs enjoys the opportunities that being a Kieft Summer Research Student provides.
"I am being presented with an opportunity to do hands-on work throughout the summer and fine-tune my lab skills to help prepare me for the future," she said. "The independence of working on your own project is a unique opportunity that many undergraduates do not receive."
Tibbs plans to continue her education in forensic chemistry, allowing her to seek employment in the forensics field. Her "dream job" is to work for the FBI.
A 30-year chemistry professor who was beloved by Monmouth students, Richard "Doc" Kieft left his $2.3 million estate to the chemistry department. He also created the summer research program, which gives science students an opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research under close faculty supervision. The students work 40-hour weeks and receive free housing and a small stipend. Since its inception in 2010, the program has grown steadily in scope and complexity of research.
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