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.