May 17, 2011 - Shorter University student Melonie Hardy has been chosen to participate in the University of Maryland’s Biosystems Internship for Engineers (BIEN) program this summer.

Hardy, a senior mathematics and computer information systems major from Rome, will take part in a paid internship from May 31 until Aug. 5. Hardy was also offered another summer internship with NASA, but declined in order to attend the program at Maryland.

The program that Hardy will participate in combines cutting-edge, team-based research with technical and educational seminars. Students typically work in teams of two or three and are supervised jointly by faculty members and graduate students.

During the 10-week summer program, students develop their research projects, attend technical seminars, visit local industry and government organizations, meet with leaders in the field, and prepare a technical research report. Students also attend a series of ethics seminars that cover various ethical concepts and theories as well as their application, especially in research settings.