When did you start conducting research at UMBC? How did you find a mentor and project to work on?
I started to conduct research at UMBC in February 2011. I was very lucky to find my mentor. During an Honors Orientation the summer before my freshman year, we were able to eat lunch with the professors of similar majors, so I met Dr.Liebman there. Later on in the year, we bumped into each other in the hallway, and I asked him about his research. I was interested in theoretical chemistry, and so he assigned a project to me.
What did you know about your field/project when you started? How did you learn what you needed to know?
When I started, I was only a freshman in General Chemistry, so I knew about formal charges and Lewis structures and that was about it. I had also taken up to Discrete Mathematics in high school, so I knew a little about calculations. Dr.Liebman taught me most of what I needed to know, including walking me through calculations and explaining different chemical theories to me.
Who do you work with on your project? Other undergraduates? graduate students? faculty?
I worked on my project with only Dr.Liebman and another assistant professor in Slovenia.
How did you decide to present at URCAD?
I decided to present at URCAD because this may be my last research experience at UMBC and I wanted to do something I've never done before.
Was the application difficult?
The application was not difficult at all. After completing the abstract, my professor and Ms.McGlynn made a few changes, and we were all set.
How did you know what to put on your poster?
Ms.McGlynn and Mr.Fick did a god job of giving us examples of what to put on our posters, and my research professor and I thought of some good examples to put on as well.
Were you nervous about explaining your work to so many people? How did it go?
I was not very nervous because I like public speaking. I just didn't want people getting lost in all of the equations on the board. I was a little surprised and very flattered that everyone seemed so interested in my project and in theoretical chemistry. I think they understood what I was saying, and I'm glad I got to expose people to this other side of chemistry.
Will you work in the lab during the 2012-2013 school year? How much time will you put in? Do you get paid for this? Academic credit?
I do not know if I will work during the 2012-2013 school year, because I will be in pharmacy school during that time.
What are your goals for after UMBC?
I will be going to University of Maryland Baltimore Pharmacy School, where I may pursue a dual degree in MBA, MPH, or PhD.
Would you suggest to other undergraduates that they find a research project?
I definitely would. It has been a great experience, and I learned to think more creatively about science.
What else are you involved in at UMBC?
At UMBC, I am involved with the Golden Key International Honor Society, Biology Tutorial Center, Community Orchestra, and Pre-pharmacy club, among other things.
I started to conduct research at UMBC in February 2011. I was very lucky to find my mentor. During an Honors Orientation the summer before my freshman year, we were able to eat lunch with the professors of similar majors, so I met Dr.Liebman there. Later on in the year, we bumped into each other in the hallway, and I asked him about his research. I was interested in theoretical chemistry, and so he assigned a project to me.
What did you know about your field/project when you started? How did you learn what you needed to know?
When I started, I was only a freshman in General Chemistry, so I knew about formal charges and Lewis structures and that was about it. I had also taken up to Discrete Mathematics in high school, so I knew a little about calculations. Dr.Liebman taught me most of what I needed to know, including walking me through calculations and explaining different chemical theories to me.
Who do you work with on your project? Other undergraduates? graduate students? faculty?
I worked on my project with only Dr.Liebman and another assistant professor in Slovenia.
How did you decide to present at URCAD?
I decided to present at URCAD because this may be my last research experience at UMBC and I wanted to do something I've never done before.
Was the application difficult?
The application was not difficult at all. After completing the abstract, my professor and Ms.McGlynn made a few changes, and we were all set.
How did you know what to put on your poster?
Ms.McGlynn and Mr.Fick did a god job of giving us examples of what to put on our posters, and my research professor and I thought of some good examples to put on as well.
Were you nervous about explaining your work to so many people? How did it go?
I was not very nervous because I like public speaking. I just didn't want people getting lost in all of the equations on the board. I was a little surprised and very flattered that everyone seemed so interested in my project and in theoretical chemistry. I think they understood what I was saying, and I'm glad I got to expose people to this other side of chemistry.
Will you work in the lab during the 2012-2013 school year? How much time will you put in? Do you get paid for this? Academic credit?
I do not know if I will work during the 2012-2013 school year, because I will be in pharmacy school during that time.
What are your goals for after UMBC?
I will be going to University of Maryland Baltimore Pharmacy School, where I may pursue a dual degree in MBA, MPH, or PhD.
Would you suggest to other undergraduates that they find a research project?
I definitely would. It has been a great experience, and I learned to think more creatively about science.
What else are you involved in at UMBC?
At UMBC, I am involved with the Golden Key International Honor Society, Biology Tutorial Center, Community Orchestra, and Pre-pharmacy club, among other things.
