As an environmental engineer specializing in membrane separations, I find the widespread issue of water quality concerning - in terms of both human and environmental health. As a selective barrier, membranes have a variety of applications; to name a few, desalination, virus removal, hydrogen gas separation, and dialysis all take advantage of membranes. As a fairly young technology for water purification, membrane science has the ability to change much of its future. My interest in water quality was what first attracted me to the field of membrane science and later nanocomposite membranes, which have unique characteristics because of the enhanced properties of nano-sized materials. I am driven to continue studying nanomaterials in membrane science because of the exciting possibilities that this technology offers.
I am very passionate about my research, but I am also passionate about impacting society both near and far. I am committed to advance my cross-cultural and global engagement through my research. I already have valuable international experiences from both my undergraduate and graduate studies. While at (university), I studied abroad in Bremen, Germany for a summer and was instilled with the ability to be assertive and inquisitive in unfamiliar situations. The following summer I applied and was accepted to an internship with Matthäi Gruppe, a civil engineering firm, in Germany. My internship was challenging, in fact, it was my most challenging experience abroad. From the moment that I left U.S. soil, I was on my own, and my independence and self-confidence played a crucial role in my successful internship. The most impactful international experience I had, however, was my trip to Cambodia. While studying the development of Cambodia in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, my appreciation for global engagement grew, and I truly became an advocate for social and environmental justice. At (University), I researched abroad for two weeks at Istanbul Technical University in Turkey. Here I fabricated novel hollow fiber membranes with graphene platelets as nanofillers, and I experienced how to research in a different environment.
During my academics and research at (university) and (university), I learned that leadership and teamwork is essential to be successful in any program or career. My maturity as a leader was fostered by my involvement in various volunteering programs at (university) and (university). During my sophomore year at (university), I was elected Activities Coordinator for my dorm residence. As an Activities Coordinator, I became familiar with successfully communicating between my fellow dorm-mates' wants and my peers on the activities board. Additionally, during my first two years at (university), I was a leader in the Kids Club program, where I served as a math tutor for 2nd and 3rd graders at a Grand Rapids charter school. This position eventually led to a mentorship position with inner-city students. I was accepted to a position as an ACT tutor for the Pre-College Prep program that was hosted at (university). This ACT preparation program served the Grand Rapids city public school district, where there was slight evidence that college preparation was embraced. While at (university), I became involved in mentoring Portland, Michigan high school students that were interested in STEM related fields for higher education.
My experiences abroad and in my own community have shaped my character and career path, but I believe my research experience at (university) could be utilized with XXXresearch group at XXX University. Because of the amazing research platform you offer, my abilities could reach their full potential, benefiting both membrane science and XXX University. I jump-started my graduate career by doing summer research at (university) with (adviser). Shortly after my summer research, I was offered a position as a research assistant at (university). It was here where my research career began and where I was attracted to nanocomposite membranes.
My main area of interest in membrane separations is the development of novel nanocomposites by incorporating nanofillers in membranes for enhanced liquid separation processes. We incorporated nanomaterials in polymeric membranes to increase membrane permeability, permselectivity, material strength, and add catalytic functionality to membranes. These advantages did not come without challenges. Two such challenges were: a) adequately dispersing the nanoparticles in the membrane matrix without aggregation, and b) preventing nanoparticles with unknown toxicity from shedding as the membrane ages. These challenges were overcome allowing us to take full advantage of nanocomposite membranes.
We employed 2-dimensional graphene nanoparticles that were decorated with smaller catalytically active gold nanoparticles in phase inversion membranes; thus, providing our membrane with the catalytic functionality to reduce 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol. The decorated graphene was dispersed in our membrane casting solution without aggregation because of the high aspect ratio of the graphene support. Because the diameter of the 2-D graphene platelets were ~15 m, the nanoparticles were secured in the membrane polymer matrix. We found that the amount of nanoAu in the membrane determined the catalytic activity of the membrane, but did not affect the structural properties (i.e. permselectivity, permeability, and material strength). Therefore, by adding relative amounts of Au-decorated graphene and Au-free graphene, we could optimize our membrane properties independently.
Although, the concept of hierarchical nanomaterials as components of multifunctional membranes was very exciting, the catalytic reaction of reducing 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in our multifunctional membrane was not. Nanocatalysts for environmentally important reactions could be supported on graphene and employed into membranes, creating multifunctional membranes for different purposes (e.g. membranes for denitrification or dehalogenation). This research is a great example of how membrane science could impact society and is exciting because of its novelty of such catalytic membranes.
I believe that my experience not only as a successful researcher in the field of nanotech-assisted membranes for water treatment, but also my successes with international experiences and community involvement make me a highly capable candidate for a Ph.D. position at XXX University. My drive and passion for Environmental Engineering will help me to excel in my future research, and my ability to work in a team and take an initiative will be an asset to XXX University.
I am committed to advancing my cross-cultural and global engagement through my research.
The most impactful ---This is not actually a word, but you can rearrange the sentence to say, for example, the situation which had the greatest impact on you...
Although, the concept of hierarchical nanomaterials as components of multifunctional membranes was very exciting, the catalytic reaction of reducing 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in our multifunctional membrane was not.---Please elaborate and tell why not!
My drive and passion for Environmental Engineering will help me to excel in my future research, and my ability to work as part of a team and take an initiative will be an asset to XXX University.
They'll be lucky to have you as a student! Good luck and have fun!
:)
