David Mburu Ng'ang'a
Country
Kenya
Major/Minor
Double major in Biochemistry and Economics
Activities on campus
Student Government Association Senator at Large, CF, Wheaton Research program
Academics at Wheaton
Academics are challenging, but at the same time interesting. The transition from science classes to economics is a tough one. And crossing the line and back between the natural sciences and social sciences has been challenging. In natural sciences experiments are easily carried out by holding all other factors constant, but that is practically impossible in a social science where theories are developed by taking assumptions into account.
The professors are great; I think some of the best you will ever find. They are enthusiastic about helping students...some of the professor will stay on campus until 11 p.m. working with students and amazingly call you on Saturday at 9 a.m. reminding you of your late appointment.
Adjusting to Wheaton
Adjusting to Wheaton was challenging, even right now, there are things that take me by surprise. That is Wheaton for you...you will get all the support you need but the wide range of choices available for you will keep you on the edge. You have to keep adjusting, its not a one time thing...
Where have you traveled in the U.S.?
I haven't been able to travel as much as I would like, but I have been to New York, Philadelphia and Atlantic City, N.J.
What do you like about Wheaton?
The wide range of available resources...and support within the Wheaton community...I have been able to find almost everything I wanted to do.
Have you had any internships or jobs here?
Last summer I participated at Battelle International facility in Duxbury, Mass., for 11 weeks. Battelle is an R&D company, the facility at Duxbury deals mostly with environmental issues. I have also been working as LIS technical Assistant II involved mostly in GIS data mining and mapping.
For the past two semester I have been carrying out research with chemistry department professors:
Fall 2006 - Worked with Professor Janina Benoit on "Analysis of ambient mercury in Samples from Boston Harbor."
Spring 2006 √ Worked with Professor Chris Kalberg on "Synthesis of acetate protected enamide."
How has this experience impacted your life?
I can say that all the experience I have garnered from these internships give me a sense of where I am heading. They have made me better in dealing with both academic and social choices. The [experiences] have opened career paths which I never knew existed, as well placed them within my reach. But greatest of all is the sense of responsibility and self-confidence that I have developed when doing these internships.