This first week in El Paso has been very eventful and a lot to take in, but I have really enjoyed my time here. As far as laboratory work, I have found out more of the details and scope of my overall project. I hope to accomplish as much as possible during this internship. Since my very first day, I began to work on my project and had hands on experience. I am very thankful for this because I feared that the first week or two I would just be training, cleaning, or not allowed to touch anything. About half of the time I worked under the direction of my mentor, and by the end of the week I was allowed to perform some lab work independently.

The main focus this week has been the synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles. The procedures following this were halted because some of the chemicals have not arrived yet. The next phase of my project is to synthesize graphene oxide and use hydrazine and ammonia to reduce graphene oxide. Each sheet of reduced graphene oxide will then be functionalized on the edges with magnetite nanoparticles. After making it through the first week, I was grateful to have a relaxing and restful weekend. I am definitely looking forward to another productive week ahead!

大家好！

I made it to Arizona! If you all were aware of the flying obstacles I had to endure, you would fully understand my enthusiasm. However, the consequent exhaustion was thwarted by the portraits of familiar faces, warm smiles, and a beautiful lab.

This past Monday was amazing. I had the opportunity to meet with my mentors/friends from last year, and received a tour of the lab I would be working in. It was a lot to take in, but the gentlemen I am working with are very helpful. They have also been very sociable. Doing their best to make me feel comfortable. I really appreciated that.

Yesterday, I began prepping the equipment that will be in use today for the phase of preparing graphene oxide. The lab has produced graphene oxide before, but we’re going to produce a much larger quantity this time, so I am really excited.

My main objective is to produce graphene oxide and treat it. However, I am interested in a multidisciplinary role. I’ve already begun to barrage the biologist in our group with questions. I really want to understand the full scope of the project.

So things have gotten off to a moderate pace, but towards the end of the week our lab will have graphene oxide samples ready! Then the treatment will begin, and then the testing. After that, we’ll analyze the results to see if our hypothesis is correct.

Also, for all the readers out there, don’t worry, Arizona life blogs are coming too. 🙂

To be continued,

Kenneth Moody.

I got my luggage ready a week ago, and now that I am about to leave, I start to feel the nerves. I left El Paso with a hot and dry weather, and came to a rainy day in Houston, which has come as a blessing from the skies, but my hair is still getting used to it. I meet my roommate Evelyn, which is in the NEWT program as well, and we went to eat at the South servery, and got our meal cards and keys to our room. Evelyn is from El Paso, but she studies at ASU. I am really exited to start this adventure, and get to know the laboratory were I will be working, and the people with whom I will be working with. I am trilled and ready to step out of my comfort zone, and get the most out of this amazing experience.

“Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.” -Brian Tracy-

From Tempe, Arizona to El Paso, Texas heading to Houston; I’m ready to set off on a new adventure in which I’ll visit a new city and new university.

I’m originally from El Paso but attend Arizona State University for school where I study Mechanical Engineering. I’ve been home in El Paso where I’m visiting my family before I head of to Rice to start my internship in Solar Membrane Distilation. All this travel has me living out of my suitcase but I enjoy it, it just means that a new adventure is waiting around the corner and I’m ready to take it. This internship at Rice is a stepping stone for me into the type of enviormental research that I love. I’m also a bit nervous because this is the first time I have ever done research to this intensity. I do know that once I get into the lab and meet everyone personally I can do very well on this project; I am the type of person who needs to get her hands on the project itself to understand it.

I’m heading out to Houston sometime this afternoon, it’s 3:00 am in El Paso and I’m re-packing my suitcase, charging my phone and studing the the university map and reviewing my trip. Although I am nervous I know these next seven week are going to be a blast!

 

Wish me luck,

Evelyn Holguin

It’s been a relief to be back home after such a long and stressful semester. You never do realize how fast a month can fly by until it’s the night before your 9am flight to El Paso and you’re struggling to fit 7 weeks of life into two suitcases. (I guess I don’t really need that huge blanket, but I’m sure going to try and make it fit)

Of course, traveling to a new place is always exciting. There is so much potential, so much knowledge to be gained, so many new experiences awaiting me. It’s interesting to think how much of this internship experience will be completely new to me. This will be the first time traveling completely alone and to a place without family or friends to make it feel at least a little bit like home. It sounds a bit daunting, but I’m up for the challenge of putting myself out there and meeting new people. I have absolutely no experience with capacitive deionization systems and to be totally honest, I first heard about the concept a couple of weeks ago, but that’s just another challenge I’m sure will be fun to explore (and eventually overcome). I’m grateful for this opportunity to branch out and gain more independence as well as experience in the field of water treatment. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my summer. Cheers to broadening horizons and I look forward to sharing more updates on my research and desert experience.

I am very excited to be starting the NEWT internship in just a few days. I will be arriving in El Paso on Sunday morning and will start working in Dr. Dino Villagran’s laboratory the following day. I have had two years of experience conducting research in a laboratory environment, but this will be my first time doing research in an internship setting. I will do my best to fulfill the duties as a NEWT intern because I would like to reflect well on my PI and research team at ASU. I will be working directly under the direction of graduate student Karen Ventura for the duration of the program. Karen has sent me a few papers and research procedures to look over before my arrival. It was nice to look at these research documents and I noticed right away that they are quite different from my prior research. In Dr. Dino’s laboratory, a large emphasis is place on metal organic frameworks (MOFs). These microporous structures with a high surface area are taken advantage of for applications in gas separation and catalysis. An interesting application of MOFs is the capture and separation of carbon dioxide, which is harmful to the environment. Overall, I am looking forward to working in a new laboratory and meeting the rest of the research team.

Being at home has felt different recently. I’ve felt like I’ve almost been in a state of limbo, like I’m just waiting for my life to pick up again after finishing sophomore year (I can only watch so much Netflix). I think Yale will be the catalyst I need to get going again. Today, I ran around Austin (my hometown) taking care of some last minute tasks (shopping) before I leave, but I think mental preparation has been the most important in getting ready. I feel like I have been mentally preparing myself the past few weeks to be on my own in New Haven with pep talks, convincing myself: I can do anything! Limitations are created by the mind! I’ve set a goal. By the end of the summer, I would like to go from amateur researcher to reverse-osmotic-semi-permeable-membrane-fouling expert. I am aware, however, that that depends wholly on how I choose to invest my time and effort.

A cultivation of knowledge

Environmental engineering has always been a major to me during my time at Rice University. I think that I have lacked experience in the field to really get a good idea of what to expect from it as a career. I have always been interested in sustainable design and renewable resources and technologies, so having the opportunity to research associated topics independently this summer is incredible. I will be working under a NEWT graduate student, named Humberto, to research better methods and technologies for desalination. That’s a very broad description of it, I know, but I hope to expound on it further throughout the next 7 weeks. I must say that the prestige associated with Yale has weighed over me the past few weeks. The anxiety and nerves from fear of not being knowledgable enough have come and passed. It was our last conference call that made me begin to believe in myself. All of the NEWT interns, including myself, presented on their research topics and Dr. Leautaud began to explain how the internship program is supposed to encourage greater exploration and foster NEWT graduate students. She continued, “I can really see it from you guys,” which made me feel confident in my current and future abilities.

My social realm

Solitude is kind of bittersweet. Sweet in that I enjoy being by myself. Bitter in that it can get lonely. Sometimes I convince myself that I have mild social anxiety when it comes to meeting and conversing with new people, but I quickly get over it once I’m out of my comfort zone. For me, a big aspect of this research opportunity is pushing my boundaries and really getting to know myself and abilities by working in an unfamiliar place. I’m excited to see how I flourish in New Haven and how much I expand my social bubble since I am the only NEWT intern traveling to Yale.

These next few weeks will be a test of knowledge and character and I am eager to detail the coming days that I hope will be filled with learning, adventures, and good food.

Despite spending a summer in Arizona before for a research opportunity related to mathematical biology, I find myself just as excited. I am excited for new experiences, learning, and the soothing heat. I will be working in a lab with two seasoned mentors in the field of water treatment and desalination. Materials are a fascinating subject and I was a little surprised at the amount of attention materials get in this field. My days leading up to departing for Arizona consist of reading research papers relevant to the work I will be doing. Also, watching the French Open and enjoying friends and family. This being my second time in Arizona though, I am starting to feel as if it is a second home. I look forward to exciting work, getting to know people I’ve met previously better, and meeting new people as well. It is my goal to make the most of my experience. Please follow me as I continue to update the public on the research that is being conducted. In addition to the research, I will also give a glimpse into Arizona life as I acclimate myself further with the wonderful region and Arizona State University.