754. WHAT STUDENT RESEARCH MATTERS THE MOST TO COLLEGES?

The apprenticeship model of academia requires more than just passive learning from students. How can applicants seeking entry to selective programs demonstrate that they have the ability and ambition to contribute to their desired fields? Amy and Mike invited professor Robert Malkin to consider what student research matters the most to colleges.

What are five things you will learn in this episode?

1. What are the different forms of research high school students have access to?

2. Why are in-person lab experiences becoming increasingly valuable for high school students?

3. What are the biggest mistakes students make when trying to find research or lab opportunities?

4. How can students approach professors, universities, or labs even if they don’t have prior experience?

5. What makes a research experience truly meaningful from a college admissions perspective?

MEET OUR GUEST

Dr. Robert Malkin is a Professor of the Practice of Biomedical Engineering and Global Health, Emeritus at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of the International Research Institute of North Carolina. 

Previously, he was the Herbert Herff Professor of Biomedical Engineering at The University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee, and The University of Tennessee. Before moving to Tennessee, Dr. Malkin was a professor of Electrical Engineering at The City College of New York and a member of the graduate faculty at The City University of New York and a research associate at Columbia University. Dr. Malkin was the founder and Director of Engineering World Health and The Global Public Service Academies, organizations dedicated to improving healthcare in the developing world.

Dr. Malkin received his MS and PhD in Electrical Engineering from Duke University in 1993. Prior to attending graduate school, Dr. Malkin taught English in Thailand, worked at EM Microelectronics in Switzerland designing integrated circuits, worked for Cordis Corporation designing pacemakers, and worked for Sarns Incorporated designing heart-lung machines. Dr. Malkin served as an expert advisor to the World Health Organization’s Advisory Group on Healthcare Technology, Advisory Group on Innovative Technologies, and on the World Health Organization’s subcommittee on medical equipment donations. Dr Malkin received the BS degree in Electrical Engineering from The University of Michigan in 1984.

Dr. Malkin has received numerous awards, including service awards from The Republic of Nicaragua; EM Microelectronics and Cordis Corporation. He was named an Engineering Hero Award by IEEE and received an Outstanding Faculty Research Award from The College of Engineering, an Established Investigator Award from the American Heart Association, and an award for Innovation and Excellence in Undergraduate Education from The President of The City College of New York.

Currently, he serves as the Founder and Executive Director of IRI, wherein they provide STEM remote research opportunities to students around the world with the goal of empowering young minds that can potentially advance human knowledge, especially through their peer-reviewed journal publications.

Bob can be reached at [email protected].

LINKS

International Research Institute of North Carolina

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FINDING YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF IN THE PATH TO COLLEGE

ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.