As a Chemical Engineering major with a minor in Computer Science at Bucknell University, my academic journey was defined by my passion for research. Throughout my time at Bucknell, I conducted on-campus research, secured three prestigious research internships at MIT, Eli Lilly, and Novartis, and am in pursuit of a PhD at Johns Hopkins University’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. However, one of my proudest achievements was launching and co-organizing the STEM Research Expo for three consecutive years from 2022 to 2024.
The Genesis of Research Expo
STEM Research Expo was created in 2022 through a collaborative discussion between Women in STEM and the Career Center for Advancement STEM Career Community. Our vision was to foster a culture of open communication and promote research collaboration between students and professors at Bucknell University. As a liberal arts college, Bucknell offers unique opportunities for close professor-student research partnerships that larger national universities often cannot provide. Despite this advantage, research participation was not widely embraced across the student body, and cross-departmental collaboration was particularly uncommon.
During my first two years at Bucknell, my research focus remained strictly within the Chemical Engineering department. As a first-generation PhD candidate, I had minimal exposure to research opportunities and limited understanding of their importance for academic and professional growth. However, after a year working in the ChemE Aerosol lab, I discovered that research provided valuable skills beyond the classroom and significantly enhanced my critical thinking abilities. This realization inspired me to consider a research career and motivated me to create a platform that would showcase diverse research opportunities on campus.
Growth and Impact
What began as a small committee of four dedicated students expanded into a team of eight by our third year. The STEM Research Expo has gained significant faculty support, with around 30 professors registering each year, and has attracted over 100 students annually. I heard numerous stories of students finding their ideal labs or scholarships after participating in our event. Due to the success of the STEM Research Expo, it also served as the foundation for the annual HASSM Student Research Extravaganza. For me, organizing the STEM Research Expo not only broadened my knowledge of research opportunities at Bucknell but also honed my organizational, leadership and teamwork skills.
Looking Forward
This year, we hope to enhance the STEM Research Expo by adding an “Outside of Bucknell Research Seminar.” This new component will feature students sharing experiences from research opportunities beyond our campus, whether at other institutions or through industrial internships. Our goal is to provide students with greater insight into navigating their research careers and to expand their horizons beyond Bucknell.
Through the STEM Research Expo, I worked to create a legacy that will continue to connect students with research opportunities, foster cross-departmental collaboration, and inspire the next generation of researchers at Bucknell University.
