Pictured are (front row, l–r) Chi Ngo (pharmacy research assistant), Brianna Bentley, Monica Polkowski, Colin McWatters, Dr. Boncher; (back) Nicholas Freiburger, Kelsey Adkins, Nick Hosmer, and Jack Malley.
Students from Rockford and Sparta high schools were awarded the honor of being accepted into a highly competitive summer science program hosted by Ferris State University (FSU) and CVS Pharmacy this past summer. These students got the opportunity to learn about pharmacy, drug design, chemistry and science by working in local CVS pharmacies as well as Dr. Boncher’s research laboratory at FSU. Among the brightest and most talented of the Rockford and Sparta area, these students got the opportunity to work right next to pharmacists in area pharmacies and learn about drug interactions, filling of prescriptions as well as day-to-day operations in a pharmacy.
After this experience, they traveled up to Big Rapids and got involved in diabetic research synthesizing analogues to better improve upon drugs such as Avandia. While at FSU, they also learned how products such as toothpaste, Chapstick and various gels are made.
Pictured are (front row, l–r) Jason Wieczorek (pharmacy research assistant), Colin McWatters, Kelsey Adkins, Monica Polkowski, Brianna Bentley, Chi Ngo (pharmacy research assistant); (back) Nick Hosmer, Jack Malley, and Nickolas Freiburger.
Students presented all their work at Kendall College of Art and Design after the completion of the summer program.
“These students were such fun to work with and their excitement, passion and curiosity for learning is very refreshing,” said Dr. Boncher.
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