Uncategorized

A day in the life of a UConn Chem REUer

Reflections on “a day in the life” and the overall impact of the program from UConnChem REU student Bree Hatfield.

“Hey guys I’m Bree Hatfield, a participant of the UConn Chemistry Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program for the summer of 2016 in the Kumar lab. I am from Manteca, California and attend college at Minot State University in Minot, North Dakota. I competed in the NCAA, Division II as a member of the women’s soccer team. My majors include Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. The UConn Chemistry department has exceeded all of my expectations and included me without hesitation. Not to mention the research within the Kumar lab is incredibly fascinating. With this excitement I would like to show you what my daily routine consists of. So sit back for the next 24 hours because I’m taking over Instagram. I hope you enjoy! #UConnChemREU #takeover #NSFREU #UConnChemistry”

See full story: https://storify.com/mwpeczuh/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-uconnchem-reuer

 

 

Chain Reaction: NSF Programs Are Initiators of Chemist’s Success

Author Jennifer Bento is a graduate student in the Polymer Program at UConn in the research group of Chemistry Professor Doug Adamson. In her reflection below, Jen describes the implications on her career path that resulted from her participation in the UConn chemistry REU program. She connects this experience to choosing UConn for graduate school, and her subsequent success in garnering a prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.

I received my undergraduate education at Simmons College in Boston where I earned a B.S. in Chemistry and Physics in 2011. During my undergraduate career, I was a teacher’s assistant, a study group leader and an ambassador through Beyond Benign in a Green Chemistry Fellowship program that performed outreach at local Boston public schools. As a Beyond Benign fellow, I was able to work with undergraduates at my institution and meet fellow scientists at local colleges and/or universities in the Boston area. Together we performed hands-on activities with students in grades K-12. I hope that our efforts motivated the students to continue their education in STEM fields. I also helped students at Simmons learn organic chemistry in my role as a TA/study group leader. These fulfilling experiences with students have inspired me to pursue a career as a college professor. My research advisor at Simmons, Dr. Richard Gurney, encouraged me to apply to a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program sponsored by the NSF to gain further research experience at a PhD-granting institution and to get a sense of what being a graduate student would feel like. I applied and was accepted to the UConn Chemistry REU the summer before my senior year of college. UConn was able to offer exciting research with a successful REU student track record.  Continue reading