An Experience from Boise State University
Dr. Pete Barnes, Idaho National Laboratory
September 23, 2022
1:30 – 2:20 PM in EDUC 112
Many college seniors hold off on negotiating what their future career paths will look like. It is one of life’s most intimidating challenges to understand and accept what you want to accomplish. These plans should ask clear questions with an inspired outlook for the future. I hope that my rhetoric and experience at Boise State University can encourage a discourse for those experiencing this critical moment.
Currently, I am starting my second year as a postdoctoral scientist at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in the Energy & Environment Science & Technology department. This position is meant to help develop a researcher into a full-time professional. Today, I will elaborate on my experiences at Boise State University and how it helped me excel at my current position at INL.
My story begins in a southern Idaho town where I had my initial spark of interest in science. Of course, this curiosity was encouraged by several teachers who invested in me. Teachers who care about your growth, be it easy or painful, are the most valuable entity you have as a student. All my achievements were accomplished through the help and guidance of a teacher. As an undergraduate, I worked with Dr. Don Warner in the synthesis of chemotherapeutic drugs – this was one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences an undergraduate could experience. Along with Dr. Warner, the professors within the Department of Chemistry at Boise State University were my greatest supporters for my continued education.
As a graduate student, I researched the production of sodium and lithium-ion batteries. I was allotted the time to develop a deeper understanding of the production of batteries and utilize that knowledge to pursue pressing issues within the field. With the guidance of my mentor, Hui (Claire) Xiong, we explored the degradation of sodium electrolytes. We improved the electrochemical polishing of valve metals, e.g., niobium and titanium, to an angstrom-level roughness. We established a promising negative electrode material that changes its phase while electrochemically cycling with lithium. A common theme to our work was to introduce a new perspective on how to obtain unique materials through innovative processing methods.
In summary, my academic years had me practice an exploring mindset to apply critical thinking to problem-solving. I am continuing my passion for energy storage at the national laboratory where we are exploring state-of-the-art methods and materials. Ultimately, my past practices in academia have helped me develop as a capable young researcher who’s just starting a career. I hope that my experiences will help people see a path in graduate school and to join a national laboratory as a viable and exciting career option.
Zoom Meeting ID: 920 0324 1345
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This seminar is presented by the Boise State University Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry