Why did you choose to study at WPI? 

WPI is only an hour from my home, so I’m close enough to visit family when I want to. More notably, WPI also has a reputable engineering program. When I came to the Fall Open House in 2019, I attended some presentations and saw how passionate the professors are! I also went on a tour where I heard the phrase “WPI is small enough that you’ll see someone you know every day, but big enough that you’ll always see someone new!” Since I’ve been here, I can attest to its validity. WPI is fast paced, but there’s so many clubs and activities to do that you’ll be able to find your group!

How are you involved with the WPI community? 

I am President of American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), a chemistry & biochemistry (CBC) lab teaching assistant, an undergraduate researcher in the Timko lab, the executive secretary of Sigma Pi Fraternity, a guitarist for Christian Bible Fellowship (CBF), the manager of the Men’s Rowing team, a member of the Outing Club, and an LSAMP scholar.

For AIChE, I chose to become involved to connect with upperclassmen chemical engineering majors but now, as president, my goal is to increase engagement and collaboration between all chemical engineering majors at WPI. I love being a teaching assistant because I get to spend a few hours a week in a lab teaching/mentoring students on how to run experiments. It’s a very rewarding job. I meet so many new people at WPI and pass on some wisdom that I’ve learned over the years. As an undergrad researcher, I spend time volunteering in Professor Michael Timko’s lab conducting enzymatic hydrolysis research that works to extract sugar from bamboo cellulose, which is then used to create biofuel ethanol. In this lab, I work closely with a grad student and gain experience on a project whose results can help push our society towards a carbon-neutral economy.

As executive secretary, I can both give back to my fraternity and increase my leadership experience. I enjoy being heavily involved in the inner workings of the fraternity house. For CBF, I play guitar, sing with others, and spend time with other Christians, which is really nice.

What’s your favorite thing about WPI? 

A big reason why I chose this school was because of its size. Walking around campus feels unique every day and always gives you the chance to meet new people. Since Worcester is a city, there are so many four and five star-rated restaurants to explore if you’re a foodie. I also like the fast-paced environment of classes. If, for some reason, you really dislike a class, you only have a maximum of seven weeks left. Having faster classes also eliminates a lot of boredom that I see with friends that have only semester-long classes.

Do you have a faculty or staff mentor? 

Professor Stephen Kmiotek has been a good mentor for me in terms of scheduling classes and having a (literal) door open to me to talk about concerns with school and life in general. His ever-smiling face encourages me to look on the brighter side of things and be more optimistic. He’s always open to any type of conversation and it’s his openness that really makes me feel welcome at WPI.

How has WPI’s project-based learning influenced your education?

The challenging academics of WPI has allowed me to challenge myself and grow a lot as a student. For instance, the CH1010-1040 lab series in freshman year taught me a lot in how to work effectively on a team to complete complex projects. Additionally, having to work on a lot of teams for the chemical engineering sophomore sequence has drastically improved my organization and I have become a master scheduler. These organizational skills are so important for not only now, but later in life in a professional work environment.