From the Editor, 2017

Dear Reader,

It is my great pleasure to present volume seven of Young Scientist, the first edition for which I have acted as editor-in-chief.

Drs. Jens Meiler and Chris Vanags began this journal in 2011 as a means to recognizethe incredible work performed by high school scientists at Vanderbilt University. Since then, Young Scientist has continued to grow in scope. Volume seven includes research from 14 authors working in ten departments across Vanderbilt’s campus, as well as one project performed at the Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium in New Haven, CT. The research presented in this volume is truly interdisciplinary, spanning topics as diverse as astronomy, cancer biology, radiology and biomedical imaging, psychiatry, electrical engineering, civil engineering, paleontology, and geochemistry, among others. These articles each represent the individual research of promising young scientists; they should be very proud of their achievements!

Young Scientist is a product of the dedication, enthusiasm, and generosity of many people without whom this journal would not exist. I would like to extend special thanks to the nearly 40 expert referees who volunteered their time to carefully review and re-review the articles, ensuring that the quality of the journal is upheld. I also would like to recognize the contributions of the editorial board, Drs. Hadley Lawler, Chris Vanags, and Jens Meiler, who helped guide me through my first year at the helm and make sure everything came together perfectly. I would like to thank the patrons who have generously supported Young Scientist and the Center for Science Outreach at Vanderbilt. Finally, I would like to thank the mentors who have guided these students in their research. Together, all of you are helping to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers who will shape our future.

I hope that you enjoy this volume of Young Scientist and find these articles as fascinating and inspiring as I do. I am truly thrilled to take over as editor-in-chief and cannot wait to see where the future takes us.

To learn more about Young Scientist or to participate in its production as an author, mentor, reviewer, or sponsor, please visit youngscientistjournal.org.

Lauren E. Buchanan, Ph.D.
Editor-in-Chief