PRISM Program
- An 8-week, summer research program for Longwood STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) students modeled after the extremely successful Research Experiences of Undergraduates (REU) program sponsored by the National Science Foundation
- A program that combines practical training in specific research techniques with activities designed to put research into the context of larger goals of modern science, technology and mathematics
- A program that pairs a faculty member with a student so that one-on-one collaboration occurs in an effort to make significant strides on novel projects in biology, chemistry, environmental science, mathematics, physics and psychology
What is PRISM?
What are the benefits?
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- With a focus on intense research and tangible results, PRISM aims to put students at the center of the research process.
- Students are immersed in an intense research environment where they identify and explore project ideas they are interested in pursuing.
- Students report their findings to faculty and other interested parties and are critiqued by their peers.
- Students receive a $3,500 stipend and free room and board for participation in the program.
- Funding is also provided for equipment, supplies and travel.
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What do students say?
Charlotte Pfamatter '21
Integrated Environmental Sciences, Life Sciences Concentration
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PRISM News
See what some of our students have been up to as part of the PRISM program.
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PRISM project uses computational chemistry to research new electronics technology
September 05, 2024
This summer, Ashley Seiders ’25 and Ben Benke ’26 worked with Dr. Ben Topham on a computational chemistry PRISM project related to single molecule electronics.
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Longwood science grads put their degrees to work at lab analyzing Covid-19 tests
January 29, 2021
When Sandra Ghali ’19 applied for a lab position at GENETWORx, a Glen Allen company that processes thousands of Covid-19 tests daily, she left a few people shaking their heads.
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Finding new testing methods for arson investigations lights a fire under PRISM research
August 29, 2019
Chemistry major Sarah Elsakr’s PRISM research project this summer could have been ripped from an episode of the forensic crime drama television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
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Can too much exercise be bad for you?
August 05, 2019
It can be for some trained athletes. Alexis Wayland '22 has been working with Dr. Troy Purdom this summer to see if hyaluronic acid levels could be a factor.
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Mitigating Mosquitoes in Rainwater Harvesting Systems
August 02, 2019
No citronella for Charlotte Pfamatter '21 and Curran Atkinson '21. They spent their summer research project attracting mosquitos—on purpose.
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Cancer under the microscope: Students investigate disease-causing gene mutations in summer research project
August 01, 2019
Any oncologist will tell you that catching cancer early is the best chance to fight and beat the disease. Often the groundwork for early detection is laid in the research lab.
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