Achievement

IGERT trainees Sam Lohse (UO) and Corey Koch (OSU) met in the IGERT program and formed a collaboration without advisor prompting ~1.5 years ago. Their goal was to combine their respective fields of research (microfluidics and nanomaterial synthesis) in an attempt to find new device applications, improve nanomaterial synthesis, explore synthetic parameters, and to provide a greener synthesis. They have been successful in their research endeavors and continue to plan new experiments. Koch reports that this experience provided him "with the confidence to tackle new research problems with less guidance, to initiate new collaborations now that I have seen how productive they can be." He also reports that this collaboration has helped him to develop the skills to communicate more effectively with scientists outside his field.