Hometown: Long Island, NY

Undergraduate Institution & Year of Graduation: MIT 2011

RPI Department: Chemical Engineering

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Cynthia Collins & Dr. Mattheos Koffas

What made you decide to attend Rensselaer?

I decided to attend Rensselaer because of the exciting research being performed. I was particularly attracted to the Center for Biotechnology & Interdisciplinary Studies as I saw how people from different fields could come together for a common goal. I am happy to say that my research reflects this sentiment. I was also really pleased to find such a world-renowned institution so close to home.

What are your plans following graduation?

To return to industry and continue my career in the biotechnology industry. I hope to use all that I’ve learned during my graduate studies and apply them to a process development engineering job.

What advice do you have for prospective students interested in RPI?

Explore the Troy/Albany and surrounding areas early as possible. Grad school will inevitably have its moments where it is hard. Finding outlets early on will help you cope with the harder days of graduate school. Also be in constant communication with graduate students. Gathering the most amount of information about their experience will help make your experience at Rensselaer easier and better.

What aspects of the Ph.D. program do you value most?

I appreciate the ability to grow as a research scientist. Being given the chance to build my technical skills and diversify my expertise is also very valuable. Finally, being able to work with people that have different perspectives is important.