This summer, I completed work in a physical chemistry lab under the supervision of Prof. Bern Kohler. Specifically, I worked on a continuing study that encompasses synthesizing, characterizing and manipulating the hierarchical structure of polydopamine, a synthetic eumelanin model. I synthesized polydopamine nanoparticles, treated nanoparticle dispersions, and manipulated the hierarchical structure of polydopamine by exposing nanoparticles to alkaline environments. Also, I worked with various instruments including a UV/Vis spectrophotometer and a fluorimeter to obtain absorbance, emission and excitation spectra. My project also required weekly meetings and presentations on data, progress and reflections on results. This work has all ultimately been in pursuit of a publication on a continued project from the last few years.
I have been involved in research for over three years, but this summer was very enlightening. This is the first summer where I have been able to give my undivided attention working in my lab, and it has given me insight into what graduate school and a career in research may look like in the future. I assumed I would dislike spending every day working in research without other commitments, but I have surprisingly developed a new appreciation and love for the area. When classes are in the way, research is a stressful area because my attention must be spread between making progress in the lab and performing well in my coursework. Without the distractions, I can focus solely on my project in a way that allows me to make ample strides and feel more accomplished. I have learned that I actually like research and the discoveries it allows more than I initially believed.
This summer, I also learned a lot about discipline and independence. Since I had already been a member of this chemistry laboratory for three years before starting my STEP project, I was expected to take initiative to progress my project towards completion by performing experiments, creating goals, scheduling meetings and researching literature. I was informed early that I would not be treated the same as a new undergraduate in the group because of my experience. Thus, my responsibilities were much greater for the first time. This made me realize that a career in research requires discipline to get experiments done in a timely fashion because often it takes numerous consecutive hours in the laboratory to complete the necessary work. I also learned that a career in research requires a great deal of independence in order to use results to plan future experiments. I was able to learn that I actually like the independence and grit that is required for research through my experience this summer.
At the end of June, the post-doctoral mentor that I had worked under for three consecutive years left our laboratory because he was given a job as a professor at another university. Thus, I was forced to take charge developing new experiments, analyzing data/results and performing studies in ways that I never had prior. To make progress, I had to take individual responsibility for my advancements. I could no longer rely on another person to tell me what to accomplish each day, week or month. I had to decide what was most important. I also had to transition to working alongside a new graduate student that was less experienced in the laboratory than I was, which taught me skills in helping others.
From my work this summer, I also developed a new sense of patience for research. Before now, I assumed that research findings should come at a quicker pace than they do. I would get frustrated when my experiments took a long time or did not provide me with the results I wanted because it felt as if I was wasting time I could be using elsewhere. However, from the independence I was required to have this summer, I realized that expecting research findings to come quickly is unrealistic. Research is about trial and error, success and failure. The impatience I had has been replaced with a new appreciation for commitment to a project. It can be mentally taxing to work on the same project for multiple months or years, but the reward is that much better once it is over. I have developed a new academic stamina that I will be able to use in many areas of my life due to this newfound patience.
Learning to work on a project without promise of reaching the expected outcome has given me skills that will apply to many more areas than research. Entering my senior year with the new patience, independence and determination that I have learned this summer will allow me to excel in my classes, in future research projects and in my future career unlike ever before. I also have a newfound appreciation for graduate school, which will help me in my applications to schools this upcoming fall. Before, I wanted to go to graduate school because I thought it was what I was “supposed” to do as a Chemistry major; however, now, I want to go to graduate school because I understand the process and love what I can accomplish and learn there.
