Bachelor of Science in chemistry
Future plans? I will be going to Baylor University to pursue a PhD in organic chemistry. I plan to conduct research in the total synthesis of natural products, with the ultimate goal of becoming a professor at an R1 university.
How does it feel to be an Illinois alum? It is a pretty surreal and scary feeling. I'm grateful to the university for giving me a great education and making me want to be the best student I could. I think after 4 years of hard work; it is more relieving that I made it through in one piece if I'm being honest. Graduating now and going into grad school is a scary feeling since there is so much uncertainty with science at a federal level going forward. But nonetheless I am excited for the opportunities that are ahead!
Major highlight? I think there are two major things that are tied for me. The first is research with both the (David) Sarlah and (Paul) Hergenrother labs. I met so many amazing scientists and more importantly amazing people that I have learned so much from about chemistry and life in general. I would not be in the position I am without them. The second is working as a Teaching Assistant. I was lucky enough to TA the same group of students for three semesters in a row. Watching them grow as chemists and people was an extremely rewarding feeling. They inspired my goals to be a professor, so I am eternally grateful for them.
Undergraduate research: I was first a part of the Sarlah group. I found my passion for organic chemistry, the research area I love, and my role models (David Ryffel, Peter Ryffel, and Sam Barlock) who I aspire to be like as I go through graduate school and into my independent career.
In the Hergenrother lab, I learned to be a more independent researcher. I'm thankful to my amazing graduate student mentor, Morgan Gugger, who pushed me to try thinking for myself and learn new techniques in chemistry and biology. I'm also appreciative of the opportunities I had to learn communicating science, being invited to a conference and presenting in the lab.
Awards: List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students - Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024; and Dean's List - Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024
Activities and organizations: I was the External Vice President of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AICHE), Member of the American Chemical Society, and Teaching Assistant for Chemistry 203, 205 and 237. AICHE helped me connect with a lot of students in my first three years. I built a network of friends who took similar classes and also was able to connect with some of the students I was teaching. And teaching specifically pushed me to be a better student. I find that explaining concepts to others is the best way that I learn and retain information, so it helped me a lot to have that experience.
Who had an impact on your educational journey? Prof. David Sarlah, for taking me into his group and allowing me to discover my passion for synthetic organic chemistry, and Max Polanek, the single greatest teaching assistant I have ever had, and also one of the reasons why I love organic chemistry. His passion for the craft inspired me to take a similar approach when I was teaching. I credit Max with a lot of my foundational skills and hope to build upon the foundation he built here. And Dr. David Ryffel, my role model and inspiration for doing chemistry. Working with him on a total synthesis project was the most rewarding experience. I learned how to be a decent chemist in that time, while also learning how to stay a decent person in a very competitive field.
Favorite class? Chemistry 534 - Advanced Organic Synthesis. Without a doubt, I had the most fun in this class of any I have ever taken. The lectures by Professor Burke and Will Krueger were interesting, the problem sets were extremely challenging, and the exams were honestly a blast. I know that makes me sound crazy, but there is a reason why I want to do this for the rest of my life.
Keys to your success? Learning how to be productive was the biggest thing. My first year and a half was extremely unproductive, partially because I did not take on too much responsibility. This made it harder to motivate myself to do work and study. Once I started research and teaching, I was really able to get in a groove and start working more efficiently, and my grades improved tremendously as a result. Getting enough sleep is also really important.
What will you miss most? It's a little silly, but the Champaign Fall/Spring sunsets are some of the best I have ever seen. It was something I would go outside to watch to calm down in between doing work and then work until midnight. But it was always something I could look forward too. I would definitely recommend.
Why Illinois? If you put in the effort, you will get a phenomenal education, just as good as anywhere else, and I can guarantee that. Especially in chemistry, the faculty and opportunities you are provided are better than other R1 schools. People here are very work focused, since there isn't much else to do in the town, it is a very productive environment. If you push yourself, you can do amazing things here.