From classroom to Army Research Lab: A Chemistry student's summer in Adelphi
2026 Department of War Summer Research Internship Program at U.S. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory
By Sarah Shoaf, Staff Writer
Following a competitive internship that culminated with presenting at a research symposium, Governors State University (GovState) student Delilah Sutherland (’25) feels more confident in her abilities and career goals.
“Walking people through the steps of my research and answering their questions helped me realize that I could take a complex scientific topic and explain it in a way that others could understand,” said Delilah of the symposium. “This experience strengthened my confidence in communicating scientific concepts and showed me how much I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned with others.”
Currently enrolled in the Analytical Chemistry master’s program with research experience in solid-state material synthesis, Delilah applied and was accepted to the 2026 Department of War (DoW) Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) Summer Research Internship Program.
In the program, Delilah engaged in research at a DoW state-of-the-art facility where she worked full time alongside her academic mentor and research team in Adelphi, Maryland. There, she worked in the U.S. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory where she conducted materials research to develop europium- and praseodymium-doped cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr3) perovskite thin films for scintillation and radiovoltaic energy conversion applications.
These films are used in modern imaging and detection technologies to convert ionizing radiation into visible light, so they can offer insights in medical imaging, industrial inspection, and scientific research.
“I gained hands-on experience in thin-film fabrication and advanced characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and photoluminescence spectroscopy,” Delilah said of her research. “One highlight was seeing how materials chemistry can contribute to emerging defense and energy technologies.”
Delilah recalls how rewarding it felt to have conversations with others about her research, a topic unfamiliar to many people, and to teach them something new.
“Being surrounded by students, scientists, and professionals who shared a passion for research was inspiring,” said Delilah. “It reminded me how far I’ve come in my academic journey and strengthened my confidence in my abilities and my desire to pursue a career in scientific research.
Interested in learning more about the Analytical Chemistry program and applying? Click here.