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Mucus Mechanics
By Lynn Thomasson
Junior Sorell Massenburg is the vice president of the UNC Society for
Physics Students. He travels across the nation to conferences presenting
his research on physics and speaking with students and scientists from
all over the world. He also spends much of his time in a lab studying
mucus – the thick, sticky substance that lines your lungs and makes
your nose run when you catch a cold.
Massenburg studies the physics behind mucus so scientists can better
understand cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that makes it difficult
for people to breathe. The mucus in cystic fibrosis patients is thicker
and stickier than normal mucus. It can clog the lungs and eventually
lead to respiratory failure in people. There’s no cure for the
disease, but through research, scientists can improve treatments that
can help people live longer.
“Mucus is very interesting, but also really hard to work with
for all the reasons that kids love to play with it because it’s
really stretchy and thick,” says Massenburg.
In the lab, he investigates the physics of mucus – its stickiness
and stretchiness by preparing samples, as well as collecting and analyzing
data.
Work in the lab isn’t easy. Massenburg says understanding articles
in scientific journals and manipulating the lab’s sophisticated
microscopes presented challenges at first. “As a physics student,
I thought I’d never see another microscope in my life,” he
says. Massenburg asked questions and used coworkers for help. More importantly,
he says, he simply practiced and persevered using his own problem solving
skills until he overcame these difficulties.
Massenburg tells beginning students that they’ll learn more in
the lab if they work to solve their own problems. He works many evenings
often into the night, when few people are around – forcing him
to rely on his own skills. “You get creative and you learn how
to explore all the possibilities,” he says. To Massenburg, the
process of research is more important than the final outcome. “Not
all research is exciting, but if you go through the process, in the end,
you’ll learn so much more if someone simply gave you all the exciting
parts, all the fun stuff to do. It makes you feel like you own part of
the project,” he says.
Even though research can sometimes be tedious, Massenburg says scientists
at UNC work hard to engage students in groundbreaking research. “They
don’t regulate you to cleaning the laboratory. I took data; they
depended on me. They made me a part of the project,” he says.
In addition to the support and guidance from his research mentors and
advisors, Massenburg also receives financial support and professional
guidance from the Research Education Support (RES) – a program
that helps minority students achieve doctorate degrees in the sciences
by funding their undergraduate research, as well as helping them attend
scientific conferences and preparing them for graduate school entrance
exams. “It’s a great benefit and comfort to have someone
on campus who wants me to go to graduate school and become a success,” says
Massenburg.
In addition to the RES program, many student organizations, such as
the Society for Physics Students, also help students with homework and
course registration advice. The group often organizes physics speakers,
laboratory tours and even participates in a national robot building competition.
Members also relax together while bowling or playing a game of ultimate
Frisbee. These support systems on the UNC campus often give undergraduates
a chance to know faculty and graduate students outside of the classroom.
“Doing research has given me a context for my coursework beyond
what I’m learning in class. It shows me the value of what I’m
studying. I’m certain in my future career, the skills I learned
here will benefit me greatly,” says Massenburg.
Sorell Massenburg is a junior at Carolina pursuing a physics degree.
After graduation, he hopes to continue his studies and research and attain
a PhD in applied physics.
UNC Society
of Physics Students
UNC Research Education
Support Program
Read
more about cystic fibrosis research in Endeavors Magazine
Check out
the lab where Massenburg works
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