Providence, R.I.--A Providence College chemistry major has been awarded an International Research Experience for Undergraduates (iREU) scholarship that will allow her to take part in a nine-week research program at the University of Technology in Graz, Austria.

Catherine Vincent '10 of Slingerlands, N.Y., will join roughly a dozen other undergraduates from higher-education institutions across the world in the Graz program from June 8 to August 14.

The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Colleges and universities from around the world send students to participate in the REU's dozens of programs each summer.

REU projects involve students in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program. Each student is assigned a specific project, where he or she works closely with the faculty and other researchers.

In addition to a $4,000 stipend, Vincent will have her housing and round-trip travel expenses paid for by the NSF.

Excelling in the classroom and in the lab
Vincent currently maintains a 3.95 grade-point-average. She has spent the past two summers as a student-researcher at Albany Medical College exploring how a specific protein (cytoglobin) regulates nitric oxide bioavailability in the cardiovascular system and how intercellular hydrogen peroxide concentrations can be measured using endogenous catalase. Her preferred areas of study are biochemistry and analytical chemistry. 

When she found the Austrian research opportunity online, she said she joked with her parents about spending the summer overseas. Quickly, she realized the position was too good to pass up.

"I didn't get the opportunity to study abroad and I didn't know when I would get this chance again," she said. "I'm not sure what I'll be doing specifically, but I'm looking forward to seeing how labs are run and how research is conducted overseas."

Schedule includes Friars' soccer, singing
In addition to carrying more than 20 credit hours of course work and spending 11 hours a week in the lab, Vincent has been a walk-on member of the Friar women's soccer team since her freshman year.

Though she has to juggle her class time with the considerable practice and game times, she said being an NCAA Division I athlete has been an unforgettable experience.

"Just playing on a competitive team and being around people who love the sport as much as you do is fun," said Vincent, who also played on the PC rugby club team during her first semester.

What she also loves is singing, and this passion often complements her affinity for athletic competition. Prior to some soccer matches and two men's basketball games this past season, Vincent sang the national anthem. She also finished fourth in last year's "PC Idol" singing contest and takes voice lessons at the College.

Despite her demanding schedule, Vincent said there was nothing she would change about her college life.

"I love it. Chemistry is challenging, soccer is awesome, and music is a way to relax and have fun. Everything I do is so different, it doesn't matter that there isn't any downtime," she said. "I probably don't get as much sleep as I should, but I can sleep later."

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