Sachem Alum Lands Science Foundation Internship

Sachem North alum Marc Koehler, a senior at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, is fulfilling a lifelong dream of being a scientist. 

This summer he was awarded a prestigious "REU" internship at The University of Central Florida - CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics, where he is participating in Physics Engineering research under the leadership of Dr. Martin C. Richardson. 

This highly competitive internship program is sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The REU appointments, awarded to students studying science, engineering or mathematics, are among the most prized summer opportunities available to undergraduates. 

Koehler was one of 10 undergraduate students out of hundreds of applicants to be awarded this position at UCF-CREOL.

He works in the Laser Plasma Laboratory along with M.S. graduate and Ph.D. students on a project entitled, Laser Vibrational Spectroscopy for Food Monitoring and Detection of Different Food Additives. 

The research team is aiming for their research to be published in a highly respected physics/engineering journal.  

"So far my work has been challenging, but very rewarding,” he said. “You learn so much more in a laboratory than you do from a textbook. I love what I am doing and I am confident this research experience will enhance my graduate education or career aspirations.”

Each internship carries a stipend of $5,100 as well as room and board for the summer.  The interns also attend seminars, workshops and field trips to various technology-based companies in the Orlando area.

At Dickinson College, he is a physics major and credits his success in college to the fine teachers he had at Sachem North, especially in the science, math, and technology departments. 

He has also fondly reflected on his time playing football at Sachem where he learned the value of hard work and dedication. 

"I love everything about my college, my professors, and the friends I have met,” he said. “I am looking forward to returning this fall and starting senior research, a requirement for a B.S. degree in physics. It feels like just yesterday when I arrived here, and in less than a year, I will be graduating and moving on. I am very excited as to what lies ahead for me.”