November / December, 2003

BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING STUDENT
AMONG FIRST TO RECEIVE
HOMELAND SECURITY SCHOLARSHIP

This article first appeared in Newsroom, 9/24/2003,
published by University Relations, Michigan State University

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Tracy Kamikawa, a Michigan State University Biosystems Engineering senior from Honolulu, Hawaii, is the recipient of one of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) first Undergraduate Scholarships.

The awards are presented to highly talented students interested in pursuing basic science and technology innovations that can be applied to the DHS mission. Funding for the program for fiscal year 2003 is approximately $2 million.

More than 2,500 students across the country applied for scholarships and fellowships. Applications were reviewed by more than 100 experts from a variety of science, mathematics and engineering fields.

Fifty-one undergraduate scholarships and 51 graduate fellowships were awarded to students in the fields of physical, biological, social and behavioral sciences, engineering, mathematics and computer science. The scholarships cover tuition and a monthly stipend, and an internship opportunity

. "It is an honor to be among the first recipients of this award and to represent MSU," Kamikawa said. "This award will help me to pursue my degree in bioengineering, specifically Biosystems Engineering, which is well suited for the advancement and protection of U.S. homeland security."

Kamikawa is a student in the colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Engineering, a member of the MSU Honors College and a University Distinguished Scholarship recipient. She is the daughter of Ray and Virginia Kamikawa, and is a graduate of Iolani High School in Honolulu.

"I came to MSU because of the many opportunities in its engineering programs and the expertise of professors in the field," she said. "The chance to start researching as a professorial assistant in my freshman year was important."

Since her freshman year Kamikawa has worked with professor and mentor Evangelyn Alocilja, assistant professor in biosystems engineering in the Department of Agricultural Engineering, an affiliate assistant professor in the National Food Safety and Toxicology Center, and a participating faculty member in the Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, in the emerging field of biosystems engineering, which has gained popularity in the last seven to 10 years.

Alocilja's research focus is on the development of biosensors and bioelectronic devices for the rapid detection of food borne and bioterrorism disease agents for food safety and homeland security.

"Through this intimate contact with budding research, I have gained a fascination with the many functions that biosensors have to offer," Kamikawa said in her application essay. "These small instruments make it possible to detect the presence of Salmonella and E. coli in samples of water, fruit, vegetables, meat and other food products within a matter of a few minutes. I am excited to fathom the countless other applications that these biosensors can have in the very near future.

"The familiarity that engineers have with the technical world is essential in promoting homeland security, especially in the designing and implementation of defensive mechanisms in every field from weaponry to data systems," she said. "Biosystems Engineers have the added advantage of being able to apply the same principles not only to such physical and technical systems, but also to the always changing biological systems such as the human body."

Kamikawa is no stranger to research, as she worked as a research assistant for Oceanit Test Systems Inc. and for the State of Hawaii Department of Health in the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division.

"At MSU I have learned a lot about myself," she noted. "Doing hands-on research helps, because it provides first-hand experience, one aspect of education that is more than just learning about concepts in class. Having Vangie, who gets national awards and recognition for her work, as a mentor is an honor."

Alocilja said she knew at their first meeting that Kamikawa was the type of individual who would do well in a research career.

"What struck me about Tracy was that she is intelligent, reliable and dependable. One time when I went to the lab at 7 p.m. she was there working in the lab, finishing an experiment. This was during the first semester of her first year," Alocilja said. "I knew that we could not let her go; that she is the kind of person with a very high potential, reliable and dependable, as well as very intelligent. That's what we are looking for in student researchers - those who take the time and show their commitment."

And Kamikawa won't be heading home after her summer internship. She said she plans to return to MSU to pursue advanced degrees in Biosystems Engineering with Alocilja while researching faster and more accurate methods of detecting pathogens in biological systems with applications to homeland security.

Kamikawa is active in the MSU chapter of Silver Wings, a national community service organization; Tau Beta Pi, a national engineering honor society; and is president of Ferency House, her student housing cooperative.

She has received the A.W. Farrall Outstanding Senior in Biosystems Engineering Scholarship Award and a research award at the MSU Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum. She is a member of the Golden Key National Honors Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She also participated in a study abroad learning experience in Ireland last summer.

For more information on the Homeland Security Scholars and Fellows Program or for application information, visit the Web at www.orau.gov/dhsed

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November 24, 2003