College of DuPage Student Enjoys Summer Chemistry Internship in Croatia

GLEN ELLYN, Ill., Oct. 28, 2016 -- College of DuPage student Marco Hartnett gained valuable experience working in his own lab space during a summer chemistry internship at the University of Split in Croatia.

Marco Hartnett gained valuable experience working in his own lab space during a summer chemistry internship at the University of Split in Croatia. The Naperville resident, who is pursuing a career in chemical engineering, conducted research on the crystallization process in the University’s Chemistry and Technology department.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7b9274ba-5499-42c2-96f3-5386de1861a1

The Naperville resident, who is pursuing a career in chemical engineering, conducted research on the crystallization process in the University’s Chemistry and Technology department. In addition to manning his own lab, Hartnett worked with an assistant who provided an extra set of hands.

“To be given the freedom and opportunity to have my own space and equipment was very new and different,” he said. “By the end of the internship, I felt like an actual working scientist.”

Hartnett discovered the internship through his mother, Nina, an adjunct chemistry professor at College of DuPage. Originally from Croatia, she attended the University of Split and knew the head of the Chemistry and Technology department as a former colleague. He was able to guide Hartnett through the application process.

Although Hartnett had spent summers as a boy in Croatia, he had not returned in 13 years.

“I was very nervous going into it, because I wasn’t sure what to expect,” he said. “Everyone I worked with was amazing. They were all so helpful, and they all made it clear that if I had any questions I shouldn’t be afraid to ask. My professor would sit down with me every day and explain the day’s topic and what the experiment would be. Then I would be left alone for several hours. The professor was great about checking in with me and making sure I understood all of the calculations.”

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