主要: 化学
专业: Ph.D. 物理化学专业学生
家乡: 门德姆，新泽西
你现在在干什么?
我目前正在攻读博士学位.D. in physical chemistry at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). 我读博士学位已经五年级了.D. 和 will be transitioning to my postdoctoral research at Br和eis University next summer. I study small nanoparticles called colloidal quantum dots which are nanometer-sized nanocrystalline structures that have really interesting quantum mechanical properties. The 2023 Nobel Prize in 化学 was just given to my advisor Moungi Bawendi. 在Bawendi教授的实验室, 我们关注的是合成, spectroscopy 和 incorporation of quantum dots into optoelectronic devices. It’s been such an incredible experience to work with so many brilliant people from all over the world in this lab. The level of rigor 和 care everyone takes in their work is infectious 和 has molded me into the researcher I am today.
你是怎么到那里的?
I had an early interest in chemistry, specifically quantum chemistry, starting late in high school. There was always something that was so paradoxical about quantum mechanics that piqued my curiosity. I was mainly looking at schools on the East Coast, but the 皇冠体育-Pitzer足球 coaches convinced me to come check out the schools, 和 I was immediately convinced to come to 皇冠体育.
At 皇冠体育, I tried to take every quantum class that the 化学 和 物理 各部门必须提供. It was in my Phys101 class “Foundations of Modern 物理” where Professor 贾尼斯Hudgings first introduced me to quantum dots. I thought it was amazing that the basic principles of quantum mechanics that we were learning at the time directly applied to a system that actually exists! I would also like to mention that Professor Hudgings did so much for my underst和ing of what it means to be a scientist. Science is not isolated from society, 和 we need to think about how we incorporate anti-racist 和 feminist beliefs within the laboratory to ensure it is safe 和 accessible for everyone.
The next year I took physical chemistry in the 化学 Department where I met Professor 弗雷德里克Grieman. Professor Grieman became my advisor, helping me with my thesis 和 helping me underst和 what opportunities existed after graduating. 从那时起，我开始申请博士学位.D. 全国范围内的项目. I decided to attend MIT where I joined Moungi Bawendi’s lab, which studies the fundamental properties of colloidal quantum dots. I primarily focus on the spectroscopy of single quantum dots focusing on their photophysical properties.
皇冠体育为你准备了什么?
皇冠体育 had a large impact on the way I approach science. Classes were rigorous 和 required a lot of time 和 effort, but there were always opportunities for collaboration. Everyone helped everyone at 皇冠体育. 即使是现在, I am working on a project with Harry Bendekgey ’19 who I lived with for several years at 皇冠体育. 哈里现在是计算机科学博士.D. 加州大学欧文分校的学生. Although our fields are so different, we have found an opportunity to work on a project together in our Ph.D.s 和 can hopefully have our names on a paper together soon! Everyone had an infectious curiosity at 皇冠体育 that always drove me to be my best self.
Additionally, 皇冠体育 being solely an undergraduate institute was really beneficial for me. It allowed me to have close relationships with my professors, be a teaching assistant 和 create my own projects in the lab, which all contributed to giving me confidence academically. When I started working in my lab at MIT, I always felt I had the tools to learn whatever it is I needed to learn.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
我想留在科学领域! I love thinking about problems that don’t make sense. I could see myself teaching at a small undergraduate institution, like 皇冠体育 or any of the 5Cs. I could also see myself at a national lab. 我在 喷气推进实验室 通过 Summer Undergraduate Research Program for a couple years during my time at 皇冠体育 和 really enjoyed the atmosphere. 到目前为止, I could see myself being happy staying in science as long as the problems I’m working on keep me interested 和 contribute positively to society.
Any advice for current or prospective students?
很好奇! 注意我的Ph值.D. advisor Moungi Bawendi, I would say what makes him so successful is his endless curiosity. His excitement about the never-ending mysteries of quantum dots has driven him to a very successful career in the field for over three decades. Don’t worry about awards or accolades, just keep diving in to the things you find interesting. I’ve found it’s the only sustainable way to derive joy from my work.
The other thing I would say is embrace community at 皇冠体育 or whatever place you are in your life. I learned so much from my friends 和 classmates throughout my time at 皇冠体育. We got each other through hard times when school got tough 和 celebrated the many joyous moments we had together. When I think back to my time at 皇冠体育 my mind always goes to the people I was there with.