Students in Research: Julianne Chen
The first undergraduate student to work on the innovative Penn State Research named after the symbol of our best -- LionGlass -- third-year Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences student Julianne Chen decided to follow her dreams and pivot her studies to materials science and engineering, resulting in being a part of a new type of glass engineered by researchers at ç¾Žå›½å®¾å¤•æ³•å°¼äºšå·žç«‹å¤§å¦ that requires significantly less energy to produce and is much more damage resistant than standard soda lime silicate glass. Read all about Julianne's studies, her work with John Mauro 's team and more in her own words in this Q&A.
What influenced you to go into a scientific field???
I was always pushed by my parents to pursue the medical field. Although I did enjoy chemistry and biology, it was not my dream. Instead, I pivoted to chemical engineering and eventually materials science and engineering. I enjoy being able to experiment with tangible materials I could show off afterward.?
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How have your dreams manifested in the research you are doing now???
I have always been involved with sustainability, with my research interests initially being the pyrolysis of PLA plastics. However, when I changed to materials science research, I was thrilled to be working on a sustainable material that I was also personally interested in studying. My dream is to one day be a professor and researcher in sustainable materials so having experience in the field I wish to study, glass, and being able to promote sustainability is a dream come true.?
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Tell us about any interesting paths or milestones along the way to your current place in Penn State Research.?
I've presented at the Board of Trustees meeting at Penn State, presented a research poster at MS&T, and won third place in an undergraduate speaking contest on LionGlass at MS&T. Furthermore, I've been on national television (FOX 29) to briefly promote LionGlass and have multiple articles being written about my involvement with research/LionGlass. I am honestly shocked and eternally grateful I have been given these opportunities in my undergraduate years.?
Why did you choose Penn State for your education in the sciences???
Penn State is one of the best research institutions for materials science and the largest spender in materials science research. Having state-of-the-art technology as a resource has also greatly improved my research experience. Furthermore, the faculty is absolutely filled with distinguished researchers and important figures in the materials science industry. Being under the mentorship of Dr. Mauro. the creator of GorillaGlass, is a dream come true and has helped me shape my future as a researcher.?
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From your perspective, how do you think your experience at Penn State is different from what you may have gotten elsewhere???
For a lighthearted difference, it is so cold here compared to the West Coast where I'm from. There seems to be no pretentiousness from the people I have met in my department, and everyone is overall friendly and welcoming. I think Penn State is like a home, with a close-knit community rather than a rigid and cold college.?
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If relevant, describe to us your thoughts on presenting your work/story to Penn State groups such as the Board of Trustees.?
It was a huge honor and opportunity to speak at the Board of Trustees meeting in September. I shared my experiences of finding a home at Penn State and I am just honored to have been able to touch the heart of members on the board. I remember receiving many comments about how my story of finding a home at Penn State and having the University support my dreams through scholarships was the reason why they continue as educators in the field. I was extremely touched by those comments and once again, I am honored to have been able to speak my story.?
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How do you think the Penn State facilities, equipment and faculty have contributed to your experience???
Dr. Mauro, Dr. Nicholas Prince , the Steidle Building, Millennium Science Complex(MSC), and various other graduate students and faculty have made my experience in research significantly smoother transitioning from chemistry research to inorganic materials research. I was guided by my mentors and other faculty at MSC through the different equipment and my data analysis skills were also greatly improved.?
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Where do you want to go once you graduate???
I am deciding between going into the ceramic solid-state battery industry or becoming a graduate student somewhere on the West Coast. As much as I love Penn State, I want to take care of my grandma back in LA and be closer to my younger brother as well.?
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Do you have any final thoughts to share with the younger generation who might want to follow in your footsteps????
Rejection is not the worst thing you can feel, regret of never trying is. I spent my first semester being afraid of asking for research opportunities since I didn't have much experience under my belt at the time. However, by trying to contact professors and apply for positions, I eventually got a position as a researcher, and from there, my trajectory started going up. None of what I have accomplished would have happened if I didn't try and try again. So don't be afraid of trying. As long as you do your best and keep pursuing your dreams, your dreams will come true.?
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Where do you see yourself 10 years from now??
Hopefully, I would be a professor/researcher at an accredited university! I hope to be married and have the free time to travel the world as well!?
Additional links and affiliations:
?Read more about LionGlass at Penn State News:
- https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/new-glass-future-taking-lionglass-out-lab-and-market/
- https://www.psu.edu/news/impact/story/hands-experience-undergraduate-forefront-cutting-edge-innovation/
- https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/new-glass-cuts-carbon-footprint-nearly-half-and-10x-more-damage-resistant/
Students in Research Series:?
This is part of a series highlighting the powerful stories behind our students within research programs at Penn State. In our duty as a land-grant university, we are charged with teaching, research, and service, and all three of these are tied to our care of the student experience at Penn State University. It is our responsibility to nurture the students to their fullest potential, and alignment with their own vision and dreams is critical on this path. The story of Julianne Chen is a prime example of Penn State Research making an impact on our future leaders in innovation. Have a story of your own? Contact Penn State Research!?