Researching polymer science as a chemistry major

Major: Chemistry and Mathematics

Research Group: Hamilton Lab, Chen Lab

I began lab research under the supervision of Professor Darren Hamilton, where I worked primarily with supramolecular chemistry. Specifically, I worked with a cost-effective alternative approach to supramolecular assembly using a selection of environmentally-friendly solid-phase catalysts. Some reactions that I learned in my organic chemistry classes were used in this research, so taking those classes before starting research was very helpful.

I am currently working at a polymer science and surface chemistry lab under the supervision of Professor Wei Chen. In my research project, I investigate the unique structural morphologies formed upon adsorbing poly(vinyl alcohol) onto polydimethylsiloxane substrates. A lot of my research work entails surface characterization through the use of instruments such as the atomic force microscope, ellipsometer, goniometer, and optical microscope.

A polymer chemistry class that I took was useful for the research work, but most of the preparation I got was the guidance of my entire research group; there were many things that I was not familiar with before beginning research. More than the contents that I learned from any of my chemistry classes, having research mentors to guide me through the process was what prepared me for the work.

Working at a research lab is very different from the lab classes at Mount Holyoke. I use similar instruments, and the techniques are similar, but I am more invested in a research group project, because I am doing things that have not been done before—so I am constantly seeking self-improvement. The outcomes are not always as expected, and it ends up being so much more exciting.