National Convention X
Beta Chi Theta is pleased to announce National Convention X in Houston, TX over the July 13th weekend. Over 150 brothers from all over the country are expected attend. The convention will be held in the beautiful JW Marriot Houston across the street from the Houston Galleria. This convention offers a great opportunity to active members and alumni to network, stay updated with national policy, reunite with old friends, and make new ones.
Dunk a Beta supports Beating Heart Disease
The Gentlemen of Beta Chi Theta, National Fraternity Inc. constantly strive for innovation and the Brothers of Sigma Colony were able to use this innovation to put a unique twist on a well-known experience.
The Gentlemen of Beta Chi at Rutgers University recently held a service event, using the fun carnival game of Dunk Tank, to raise money towards one of Beta Chi’s core pillars – Service to Humanity. The brothers took turns as sitting ducks, and by charging two dollars per ball (or five dollars for 3 for those that were feeling more generous or vengeful), they were able to raise over $500 in the space of five hours. The money will be going towards Beta Chi Theta’s annual donation in support of the national philanthropy – Beating Heart Disease.
“The event went really well…we surpassed our goal which was to raise $500.00, and gained some useful experience as to how we can raise even more money next year.” Service Director Brandon Mazal was quoted as saying.
“Everyone that participated had a good time while raising money and awareness for a great cause. Our entire organization is looking forward to our next philanthropy event.” President Samarth Shah added.
As the younger colonies of Beta Chi Theta come up with even more innovative ideas at their campuses nationwide, the future seems to hold a lot of promise.
Alumni Spotlight
Beta Chi Theta is proud of it’s many accomplished alumni. Their time as undergraduate members of the Fraternity has helped prepare them in their academic and professional pursuits. We are grateful to be able to cast a spotlight on some of our meritorious alumni.
Alumni Spotlight – Vikram Pansare
Vikram Pansare - Ph. D. Candidate in Chemical Engineering, Princeton University
Q: What is your chosen graduate field/professional line or work? What interests you the most about it?
Vikram: I’m currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at Princeton University. My area of research is in drug delivery (not the kind between Colombia and the US). My group specializes in developing novel therapeutic and diagnostic agents that are a thousandth the width of a single human hair. These agents can be targeted to, for example, tumors in cancer treatment to lower the side effects of chemotherapy.
Not only do I get a sense of satisfaction from knowing that one day my research could help a patient, but it’s also great to work in a group that focuses on the science as well as the commercial development of biotechnology. I have had opportunities to participate in patent development and partnerships with established biotechnology companies.
Q: How did you come to find this opportunity?
Vikram: I began researching during my junior year at Purdue University and was recommended to go into the field through my advisor, Prof. Ronald Andres of Chemical Engineering. I applied to several PhD programs and eventually decided to go to Princeton. Once there, I talked with several professors regarding their research and decided on joining Prof. Robert Prud’homme’s group in drug delivery in 2009.
By the way, for anyone considering a PhD program, remember that the school ranking is secondary to the quality of the professors in the field you’re interested in. I say this because there are superstar research professors in some low ranked, unknown schools, and having a letter of recommendation from such an advisor matters much more than the reputation of the school. This is especially important if you have plans to be in academia, but not so much if you want to go into industry.
Q: What advice would you give to undergraduates who want to get into this field?
Vikram: Before deciding whether or not the field is right for you, you MUST do some undergraduate research in an area that is at least tangentially related. Get a feel for the field by talking to active professors. Don’t worry about feeling like you’re wasting their time; professors LOVE to discuss their research.
If you eventually find that research might be right for you, apply to PhD programs (I would recommend around 8 schools, with at least a couple of top ranked schools). Many PhD programs provide you with full funding + stipend for the duration of your degree.
Good reasons to get a PhD are a love of research and desire to become a professor or senior researcher at a technical company. Bad reasons to get a PhD are a desire to make more money and a lack of direction in life (though many people do it for the latter reason). For the amount of time you need to spend in a technical PhD (4.5 – 6 years typically), the higher paying job you’ll get upon graduation won’t offset the low stipend you were living on for several years.
Q: How did BCT help in developing your skills/networking (or any part of it)?
Vikram: BCT was instrumental in helping me to develop my social skills and gave me numerous networking opportunities with brothers in engineering, medicine, business, and law. Should I decide to start a business in the biotech field, the contacts that I have within BCT will be invaluable.
Q: Describe some interesting and exciting projects/work you have been a part of.
Vikram: I have been very lucky to be able to participate in cutting edge research in disease therapy and diagnostics as well as new drug discovery. Currently, my projects aim to reduce the cost and improve the efficacy of whole animal drug trials as well surgical procedures for humans. In addition, we are also involved in developing MRI contrast agents and targeted-radioactive agents for cancer therapy.
The field of drug delivery and nanomedicine is only growing, so if you have even a passing interest right now, I would urge you to talk to professors and graduate students in the field, either at your school or a nearby one. Do some research, even for a semester, to get a feel for the field.
Special thanks to Vikram Pansare for being our first Alumni Spotlight feature and highlighting many interesting things about his field of drug delivery and nanomedicine!
Four Tips on Facebook Etiquette
Managing Your Risk on the Social Network by Using Proper “Netiquette”
As a driving force of social connectivity, Facebook has probably become the face and first impression of your organization. You use it to organize and advertise rush events and to “friend” rushees to keep them in the loop. Additionally, you use it as a marketing tool for your social and philanthropic events.
Discover Why with Beta Chi – Part 7 of 7
Discover Why with Beta Chi: Seven Common Deterrents to Joining a Fraternity and Why They Are Misguided
Note: This is a seven part weekly series exploring deterrents and misconceptions concerning the fraternity industry and how they are fallacious. The campaign is an effort by Beta Chi Theta National Fraternity to provide insightful thought leadership on the fraternity world.
Part 7: “Why should I join a fraternity – the ones I know of hardly even hang out with their own brothers – where is the brotherhood in that?”
Discover Why with Beta Chi – Part 6 of 7
Discover Why with Beta Chi: Seven Common Deterrents to Joining a Fraternity and Why They Are Misguided
Note: This is a seven part weekly series exploring deterrents and misconceptions concerning the fraternity industry and how they are fallacious. The campaign is an effort by Beta Chi Theta National Fraternity to provide insightful thought leadership on the fraternity world.
Part 6: “Why should I join a fraternity – how much difference could I possibly make?”
Discover Why with Beta Chi – Part 5 of 7
Discover Why with Beta Chi: Seven Common Deterrents to Joining a Fraternity and Why They Are Misguided
Note: This is a seven part weekly series exploring deterrents and misconceptions concerning the fraternity industry and how they are fallacious. The campaign is an effort by Beta Chi Theta National Fraternity to provide insightful thought leadership on the fraternity world.
Part 5: “Why should I join a fraternity – isn’t the culture of Greek Life exclusionary and promotes division rather than unity?”
Discover Why with Beta Chi – Part 4 of 7
Discover Why with Beta Chi: Seven Common Deterrents to Joining a Fraternity and Why They Are Misguided
Note: This is a seven part weekly series exploring deterrents and misconceptions concerning the fraternity industry and how they are fallacious. The campaign is an effort by Beta Chi Theta National Fraternity to provide insightful thought leadership on the fraternity world.
Discover Why with Beta Chi – Part 3 of 7
Discover Why with Beta Chi: Seven Common Deterrents to Joining a Fraternity and Why They Are Misguided
Note: This is a seven part weekly series exploring deterrents and misconceptions concerning the fraternity industry and how they are fallacious. The campaign is an effort by Beta Chi Theta National Fraternity to provide insightful thought leadership on the fraternity world.
