Summer Research Experiences for Carroll Chemistry Majors

Victoria Kong Working in the Lab

Victoria Kong, senior chemistry major at Carroll College spent the summer conducting research at SRI International in Menlo Park California - https://www.sri.com/   Here is what Victoria had to say about here experience:

This summer I am working at a large research institute called SRI International. I was able to get this experience through the NSF REU student summer program. I have not only learned a lot of information pertaining to the projects that I am working on, but I have also learned quite a bit about what kind of work environment an industry setting has to offer. Though the science is great, I think one of the greatest things that this opportunity has given me is the connections that I have been able to form with the researchers that work here. Many of these researchers here are considered experts in their fields. The opportunity to not only work side-by-side with these amazing scientists, but also hear on a first-hand basis how they think about science and the research projects they are leading has really made a large impact on the way that I view the science world. I have gained a much better understanding about how this field operates outside of academia.

Most importantly, my biggest takeaway from the summer is learning exactly how interdisciplinary our research (as a society) is now. Carroll has really given me a good platform for not only having the depth of knowledge needed to succeed in a research setting, but also the breadth to make an impact. I know that I am incredibly fortunate to have received this opportunity, and know that without Carroll and the great Chemistry program and faculty, I would never have been able to get where I am today.