Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a chemistry major here at Suffolk and am originally from Dartmouth, MA.
Why are you pursuing this degree? What first got you interested?
I was always interested in science when I was younger and when I entered high school, I grew to really enjoy my chemistry and biology labs. I was already leaning towards majoring in chemistry because I enjoyed it more than biology, but my decision was solidified at the encouragement of my high school chemistry teacher. He reassured me that if I were passionate enough about the subject, I would succeed and not so subtly added that I would stand out more as a chemistry major. I am extremely glad that I took his advice.
Why did you choose Suffolk?
I chose Suffolk because I love being in Boston and I love the smaller class sizes. I feel like I can engage with my professors and peers better without being just another face of a large crowd.
What has been most interesting to you so far?
Last summer, I worked as a research assistant for Professor Kelsey Stocker in her computational chemistry lab. I was excited to undertake this project as it would be my first look at a dry lab. I thought it was super interesting that we could model real- world phenomena with computer simulations. This opportunity has expanded my view on potential career paths I may want to pursue.
Are there any faculty or staff members who have significantly affected your experience?
There are many faculty members who I can say have significantly affected my experience at Suffolk for the better, but without a doubt there are two professors who have shaped my academic career. Professor Edith Enyedy was my freshman year general chemistry professor, and she has single-handedly helped me to get three student jobs here at Suffolk. She offers amazing advice and is incredibly helpful when you reach out. I also first met Professor Stocker my freshman year and she has been an amazing mentor to me. Working as her research assistant was an incredible experience and it has inspired me to consider computational chemistry as a career path.
Are you involved in any student organizations?
I am a part of the ACS (American Chemical Society) club, and I really enjoyed connecting with other chemistry and biochemistry majors who I might not have met in class.
What are your career aspirations?
I am aiming to land a job in research and work before continuing to graduate school. My goal is to get more work experience in a specific branch of chemistry before applying to graduate school and refining my knowledge. I feel that my current student employment experiences working as a lab assistant and as a research assistant have given me the foundation to build technical skills that I can apply to my future career.