Sample Letter of Reference for Biophysics
Letter of Recommendation for MIPT Alumnus (01/2000)
The Biophysics Student admitted to Caltech, MIT, Princeton
Applicant: Irina I. Ivanova
Recommender: Dr. Petr P. Petrov
It is my pleasure to write a letter of recommendation on behalf of
Irina Ivanova. I have known her since 1998, when she started to work
as a research assistant under my guidance. For more than a year I
have close experience of Irina’s work and can state unequivocally
that her academic and professional skills place her in the top 5% of
the students I have worked with during my 50 years of work at
Lebedev Physics Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences.
Some of the main credits of Irina are her persistence and diligence
sometimes even ranging with obsession with work. I will give you an
example. When I first met Irina in September 1998 she was a 4th year
student at MIPT and possessed a solid background in physics and
mathematics, though she lacked some knowledge in biology and
chemistry necessary for successful research in the field of
biophysical kinetics which our laboratory is primary concerned with.
It took her only a few months to read a rather large number of books
and articles in Russian as well as in English and become proficient
in this field. From that time she started to attend extra-curriculum
lectures and seminars on different topics in biophysics (such as
Biophysics of Membrane Processes, Biochemical Physics, Physical
aspects of Biological Processes) at MIPT as well as at Moscow State
University.
I must admit that now Irina possesses a unique combination of solid
academic knowledge in physics, chemistry, biology and mathematical
methods. In scientific discussions and during colloquia Irina
revealed maturity, excellent analytical thinking and clarity of
thought. She often proposed original ideas and made outstanding
conclusions.
As a member of our laboratory Irina investigated permeability of
erythrocyte membrane for glucose and oxygen in normal conditions and
under pressure. This was an important part of our major research
concerning influence of pressure on permeability of cytoplasmic
membranes. Irina took part in construction of theoretical model and
then carried out a lot of independent research. I should mention her
accuracy and thoroughness in carrying out experiments and an ability
to pay attention to nuances, which often play crucial role. Her
findings were very important for confirmation of our theory of
structure of cytoplasmic membrane. As a result of this work in June
1999 Irina successfully defended her thesis and got BS with Honors.
Recently she has reported these results at Biophysics section of
MIPT Scientific Conference. This report was made at the top level.
In summary, Irina distinguished herself as an individual who
exhibits an organized, scientific approach to research, and with a
high degree of motivation, innovation and initiative, can accomplish
her goals. Therefore, I evaluate Irina Ivanova as a person with high
potential to carry out an advanced study in the field of biophysics
and strongly recommend her for further education at Biophysics
Department of California Institute of Technology.
Petr P. Petrov, D.Sc. 12/07/99
Professor, Lebedev Physics Institute RAS
Leninskii prospekt 51, Moscow, Russia
Tel. 7(095)555-5555
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