Scholar Interviews

Aerospace engineering student Nicolette Dame, a 2023 Davis-Bahcall Scholar from the University of North Dakota, reflects on how the program sparked her confidence, creativity, and commitment to scientific research and outreach.

How did participating in the Davis-Bahcall Scholars Program influence your decision to pursue aerospace engineering and engage in undergraduate research?

Participating in Davis-Bahcall helped me see and learn real-world applications of physics and gave some insight into what I would be learning in my college courses. It also gave me the confidence to pursue undergraduate research. At first, I was intimidated because I didn’t really know my advisor and was nervous about working with him. But my experience with Davis-Bahcall helped me get used to meeting new people and having meaningful conversations. It even helped me connect with my advisor once I found out he was working on the DUNE project. We had a great conversation about the physics class with Dr. Drew Alton and the time we spent at SURF.

Can you share a moment from your Davis-Bahcall experience that helped shape your confidence or vision for a future in science?
The presentations at the end of the trip really boosted my confidence in doing research and presenting in front of people. I also loved learning with Gina Gibson, SURF’s first Artist in Residence and program coordinator. She helped confirm for me that you can be creative in STEM and that creativity and science go hand in hand.

Now that you're conducting undergraduate research at UND, how do you see the Davis-Bahcall program showing up in your work ethic, skills, or mindset?
A key skill I gained during Davis-Bahcall was learning to listen and absorb information before asking questions. That’s something I rely on heavily now. I dove into a lot of new experiences this year, and being able to listen, process, and ask the right questions has been essential, far more than I realized it would be.

What would you say to someone considering supporting the Davis-Bahcall program and how did it make a difference for you personally and professionally?
I would wholeheartedly encourage supporting the Davis-Bahcall program. It gave me an opportunity I never would have had otherwise to learn science in the real world, meet people from different backgrounds, and understand that not everything goes as planned. Professionally, it helped me make meaningful connections, including with my research advisor. Personally, it reminded me to step back and embrace creativity and expression. Before the program, I never would’ve believed how much of a lasting impact it would have.

Looking ahead, how has the Davis-Bahcall Program helped set the foundation for your long-term goals in aerospace or space exploration?
I want to continue doing research throughout my undergraduate degree and beyond, especially to help advance the space and aerospace industries. Davis-Bahcall helped me see the real-world applications of research. It not only showed me how much work research can be but also how fun and rewarding it is.

You mentioned leading a rocketry team trip to Texas. What skills or confidence from the Davis-Bahcall program helped you take on that leadership role?
If I hadn’t participated in Davis-Bahcall, I probably wouldn’t have had the confidence to apply for a team lead position. I joined the UND Advanced Rocketry Club to meet people and gain some experience, but when they asked for team lead applicants, I decided to go for it. During the interview, I shared stories from Davis-Bahcall, which helped build my confidence. Later, when we were in Texas, the ability to talk with a wide range of people about our project was incredibly valuable and that’s something Davis-Bahcall helped prepare me for.

As a young woman in STEM starting an AIAA chapter and planning a Women in Science Day, how has your experience with Davis-Bahcall shaped your approach to outreach and mentorship?

Davis-Bahcall exposed me to many different outreach techniques. While visiting labs, we saw a variety of ways people shared their work, from classroom-style presentations to informal dinners. That experience showed me there’s no one “right” way to help people learn. Now, as I work on outreach on a college campus, I draw on that experience to connect with a wide range of people in ways that resonate with them.

What’s next for you? As you continue your journey in aerospace engineering, what projects, opportunities, or goals are you most excited about pursuing in the year ahead?

I am most excited about my opportunities with rocketry and AIAA. I am now the vice president of the Advanced Rocketry Club and I am looking forward to increasing our membership and outreach on campus and in our community. We are also working on starting a Design, Build, Fly group with AIAA, and we are hopeful that it will help more aerospace and mechanical engineering students, myself included, find their place on campus and help decided what they want to do in their career.

In this first installment of the SURF Foundation’s new interview series, we hear from Madison Jilek, a recent Ph.D. graduate and 2014 Davis-Bahcall Scholar, as she reflects on the early experiences that shaped her path toward a future in scientific research. 

Can you tell us about your current research and what scientific questions you’re most excited to be exploring right now? 
I just wrapped up my Ph.D. research and graduated on May 8! During graduate school, I studied tiny bits of matter called semiconductor nanocrystals. Specifically, I wanted to develop our fundamental understanding of how these quantum-confined materials interact with light. The work I’ve been doing is all “basic science”, which is fun because it’s primarily driven by curiosity. To work on these materials, in particular, is exciting because I can already see how they’re being implemented in new technologies—like displays, new types of lasers, quantum computing, solar energy and fuels, and biological imaging.

How did your experience as a Davis-Bahcall Scholar influence your path toward a career in chemical physics and research? 
As a high school student, what it means to “do science” can seem pretty obscure. Not a lot of people regularly interact with scientists doing science. Even though I liked my science classes, I had little idea of what it meant to be involved in research. Starting to do research with Mr. Stephen Gabriel, my high school physics teacher, and participating in the Davis-Bahcall Scholarship really opened up my eyes to the world of scientific research. Through Davis-Bahcall I met real scientists, visited real labs (around the country and abroad), and learned about the cutting-edge questions they’re exploring. I was inspired by what I was seeing, and I knew I wanted to become a part of that world. 

Was there a moment during the Davis-Bahcall Scholars program that changed the way you thought about science or your place in it? 
One particularly memorable moment was when a physicist I met said that their college textbook was already outdated because it introduced the “unsolved” Solar Neutrino Problem—a scientific question which was discovered because of the work that John Bahcall and Ray Davis had done at the Homestake Mine—and then explained that this problem had been solved since then, during my lifetime. It was a reminder that researchers are still answering questions about our universe, which contrasted with my previously more static view of science. It was also very inspiring to visit local research labs at SURF, BHSU, and Mines. There, I saw cutting-edge research happening in (or, under) my backyard. It was eye opening to recognize that opportunities to get involved in science were all around me.

What advice would you give to a high school student who is interested in science but unsure if they belong in a lab or research setting? 
I’d recommend that students get involved in research whenever and wherever they can. Being a researcher is a unique type of job, and you won’t know if you’ll like it until you do it. See if your teachers have any ideas or connections! 

As a scientist—and now as a mom—how has your view of science education changed? What role do you think programs like Davis-Bahcall play in shaping the next generation of STEM leaders?
Everyone is born curious. But today, with the answer to almost everything just a Google search away, it can be difficult to exercise and cultivate our curiosity and critical thinking. It’s so important that young people have the chance to do this. That’s what makes STEM education and programs, such as Davis-Bahcall, so important. 

When you think about the future of your field, what gives you the most energy or hope? 
I look around me and I see so many incredibly bright, collaborative, adaptive, hard-working people who are passionate about their work. It’s a blessing to be inspired by your colleagues and your work.

The Foundation supports SURF's mission to advance world-class science and inspire learning across generations. As the philanthropic arm of SURF, the Foundation builds strong relationships around the globe and opens doors for public and corporate contributions to support SURF’s mission. The Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, raises funds to support SURF programs and initiatives.