Hi, my name is Semhare Tekle, and I am a biochemistry major at Florida State University. I have been working on my research project with Dr. Oliver of the Department of Chemistry for the past year. Though I am a biochemist, this project focuses on physical chemistry, which is not a problem because I plan on being a jack of all trades when it comes to the study of sciences. This research project allows me to learn coding through MATLAB giving me another tool on my belt.
My focus during the summer will be on self-propulsion particles’ effects on a drying drop. This would be a continuation of my current project which is, the differentiation of chemical compositions from physical patterns through machine learning. In layman’s terms, we are using AI to tell the chemical difference between different salts just by looking at their patterns. Originally this first project was funded by NASA to create an AI that would be able to identify salts just by the pattern it creates as a dried drop. After a while, my research team went in a slightly different direction and decided to focus more on the physical chemistry side of things. This wasn’t a problem since it was still related to the project.
For the summer, I will exclusively focus on the effects of propulsions in a drying drop. Through this, I would be able to work with either prokaryotic bacteria, like E. coli, or an aluminum/ palladium particle mixture. Both substances are self-propulsive in their way. The E. coli, as living things, can move, while the aluminum particle that is deposited with palladium will be able to react with either an alkaline or H2O2 mixture to propel itself forward. This project would require me to have specific training in bacteria handling and culturing. This would also allow me to work with esteemed faculty, as well as my research mentor, to complete this process. I am very excited to get started on this seeing as it is my first-time handling bacteria. Studying the effects of these propulsion particles would help to understand niche phenomena in the scientific world.
As for my career goals, I do not have a solid view of what I want. I was hoping that research during the summer would help me to decide what I would like to do in the future. So far, I plan to graduate with my master’s in Astrochemistry at a college far from Florida. After I was planning on continuing research as a research assistant anywhere. I am currently looking at jobs that would allow me to travel and do research. My last resort would be going into the lab technician field. With my project, I would be able to gain a lot of experience in the lab and experience in defending my research. Already I have participated in the Florida State’s Undergraduate Research Symposium and plan on participating in a conference to present my summer research. In general, I hope to continue to practice research and further scientific discovery.
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