Summer Fellow Reese Jones Analyzes Metal Contaminates in Old Books

Fellows Conduct Five Weeks of Focused Research with Faculty and Staff Mentors

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—For her Summer Scholar Fellowship, Gardner-Webb University senior Reese Jones learned how to use the new X-Ray Fluorescent (XRF) Spectrometer in the Department of Natural Sciences. The instrument was purchased recently with a grant from the Cannon Foundation. Working with her mentor, Professor of Chemistry Dr. Venita Totten, Jones gained valuable experience for the next steps in her educational journey to become a pediatrician.

“I have been working in the laboratory to understand the operations of the XRF and how to process the data it is producing,” shared Jones, who is from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. “It has been very exciting to be a part of working with this equipment for the first time at Gardner-Webb and helping to develop safety protocols and methods of operation that work best for our studies. This experience has been amazing in terms of preparation for graduate school, not only in developing my research skills and best habits, but also in my ability to conduct research independently.”

Through Summer Scholar Fellowships (formerly Summer Undergraduate Research Scholars), Gardner-Webb University students receive grants for room and board on campus as they devote approximately 40 hours per week to their projects. After their research experience, they are required to present, perform or publish their project by the end of the following academic year.

Jones is biology/biomedical sciences major with a minor in Spanish. She has a certificate in Spanish for Healthcare Professionals. A member of the lacrosse team, Jones was recently named to the Division 1 Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Honor Roll. To be eligible for this honor, student-athletes must be a junior, senior, or graduate student and have earned a cumulative academic GPA of 3.50 or greater.

Jones and Totten are using the XRF to evaluate heavy metal contamination in old books and artifacts in the Gardner-Webb library and nearby museums. Some of these books might have been made with materials that can be harmful, such as arsenic, lead, and mercury. The contaminated books will be labeled with instructions on how to handle safely.

Jones praised Totten’s mentorship and the experience she’s gained. “We have worked together to understand the X-Ray Fluorescent Spectrometer, its results, and its quirks,” Jones related. “In just the short amount of time we have spent working in the lab, my confidence around the equipment and the laboratory itself has skyrocketed, and I am very excited to have developed these skills.”

Library Dean and archivist Dr. Natalie Bishop has also offered guidance and help throughout the project. Bishop will report Jones’ findings to the Poison Book Project at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library and the University of Delaware. This interdisciplinary research initiative focuses on identifying potentially toxic pigments used in bookbinding components and how to handle and store potentially toxic collections more safely. Read more about the Winterthur project here.

Jones will also join Bishop and Earl Scruggs Center Assistant Director Zach Dressel at the Earl Scruggs Center to talk about the Winterthur Poison Book Project. The program will be on Sept. 11 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Center, 103 S. Lafayette St., Shelby. As part of the discussion, books from the Cleveland County Historical Collection will be shown to demonstrate the principals of the study.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.