Equipped for research

As a double major in physics and biology, Simon Sponberg knew he wanted the close faculty contact and access to equipment that a liberal arts college would allow. What settled his decision was a phone conversation with Lewis & Clark’s Michael Broide, associate professor of physics. “He asked what I was interested in doing, research-wise, and I told him I liked combining things, like applying physics to biological problems,” says Simon. “Professor Broide said, ‘Great! I’m a biophysicist—I do my research in exactly that kind of thing.’ I knew this was the school for me.”

Since then, Simon, a senior from Missoula, Montana, has done research with four different professors, including Broide. Right after his first year, he worked with chemistry and physics faculty, splicing green flourescent proteins into the proteins of nerve cells. The team then watched the cells’ development through a fluorescent microscope. “It’s a great piece of equipment,” says Simon. “There aren’t many in the state as good as ours.”

Lewis & Clark also has one of the best scanning electron microscopes on the West Coast. Simon has used it in his research with biologist Kellar Autumn, to study the structures on the bottom of geckos’ feet. “The research facilities here are great,” says Simon. “As an undergraduate at a large university, you would never have access to this kind of equipment.”

These experiences resulted in Simon being named an NSF fellow and a Hertz fellow—both prestigious national honors. He has accepted the Hertz award and will be pursuing graduate work at the University of California at Berkeley next year.

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