The Journey So Far: The Final Stretch
As I begin my fifth year as a Chemistry and Nanoscale Science Ph.D. candidate at UNC Charlotte, this fall semester feels especially meaningful. After years of research, challenges, unexpected results and countless hours in the lab, I am entering what I hope will be the final stretch of my graduate journey.
Graduate school and my Ph.D. program have taught me that progress rarely happens exactly as planned. Some experiments required starting over, while others led to unexpected discoveries and new directions. Through these challenges, I have learned resilience, patience and the importance of staying curious. Working closely with my research mentor Michael Walter, publishing my work, mentoring students and actively engaging in the graduate community have been among the most rewarding parts of my Ph.D. journey.
This fall, my goal is to make meaningful progress toward completing my research and dissertation while preparing for the next chapter of my career. If everything goes as planned, Spring 2027 will be my final semester. I want to finish this journey by giving my research my best effort, completing my dissertation, and carrying forward the knowledge, resilience, and confidence I have developed throughout my Ph.D.
For prospective graduate students, my advice is to embrace every part of the experience. Graduate school can challenge you, but it can also help you discover your strengths, build meaningful connections, and prepare you for possibilities beyond the degree.