Long Days in Oncology Lab
Emma Chory, BS, Chemical Engineering, 2012—When rising freshman ask me to define chemical engineering, I often find it hard to give an explicit answer because chemical engineering is such a diverse and rapidly expanding field. Externally, I think chemical engineering is the broadest of all the sciences. Whether a student is interested in working with 100,000 gallon reactors, designing drugs compounds, saving the environment, developing new nanotechnologies, or even considering medical school…they will find a home in the ChemE Department.
What I found most beneficial about the co-op program was that it helped to narrow a broad field that can often be intimidating. As a freshman, I thought…“There are so many options…How will I ever know which fits me best?” On my first co-op I realized that I loved research, but didn’t enjoy working in consumer goods. The guidance of my professors and student advisors, and their eagerness to teach both in and out of the classroom helped me develop an appreciation for how chemical engineers can apply their expertise to other research disciplines such as the health sciences, renewable energy and even homeland security.
There is no doubt that chemical engineering can be challenging…to say the least. I can recall many a night where I was tucked away in a corner of the library cramming for a test, trucking through complicated problem sets, downing Starbucks latte after Starbucks latte. I can say however, that without a doubt, the friendships I have made with my fellow students and the gratification that I get from solving a tough problem, whether it be on co-op or in the classroom, far surmounts any of trials and tribulations. You can ask (almost) any chemE and they will tell you the same thing. They wouldn’t do it if they didn’t love it, and the work is worth it in the long run.
“Research is hard, and it’s easy to get frustrated, but it’s impossible to fail if you love what you do” Chory is one of more than a dozen undergraduate students from across the country participating in the Steamboat Foundation’s 10-week Summer Scholars Program. She received $12,000 from the foundation, which supports students who show potential for becoming leaders in their chosen field.
Chemical engineering associate professor Shashi Murthy, who runs the microfluidics lab, praised the student-researcher’s work ethic.
“Emma is a very motivated student who made big contributions to work in my lab, from data analysis to understanding the bigger picture of what she was doing,” he said. “It was very impressive.”