Today, we’re featuring three of our graduate student leaders: Chitavi Maulloo, Elyse Watkins, and Moshe Dolejsi. They’ve been kind enough to share some insight on what makes PME a great place for graduate students as well as some of their memorable experiences.
Chitavi Maulloo, graduate student in the Hubbell and Swartz groups
“My experience at the PME has been pretty exciting so far.
"It feels great to be part of this interdisciplinary program where opportunities for collaboration get very real. I am co-advised by Dr. Jeff Hubbell and Dr. Melody Swartz, and I get to satisfy my research interests in both material-based applications as well as cancer models in immunotherapy. I got my bachelor's degree in chemistry, and I am happy to have the opportunity to take classes in the excellent Chemistry Department here at UChicago. I am looking forward to future research collaborations with the Chemistry Department.
"A unique feature of the PME program is the diversity of the curriculum. You get to take classes from accomplished professors in PME and other departments as well. What's even more interesting is that the group is diverse—people in cancer biology to quantum physics—and you will find yourself either in your zone of comfort or out of that zone of comfort as you take classes and work in your research groups. And this is an amazing learning experience: It fosters a deep sense of modesty, collaboration, and appreciation for other areas that you are not most knowledgeable about, and prepares you for that professional life after your PhD where you are unavoidably going to interact with scientists from various backgrounds. For me that is being a true scientist, being aware of the issues and demands in different scientific areas, and be able to have a meaningful and educated discussion about it. I feel that the PME is really preparing us for that.
"On a social level, I am excited to be involved with PME Social Circle starting this quarter. I can't wait to start planning events! Last quarter's holiday party was awesome: Sharing the dance floor with some of our faculty was quite a memorable experience!” –Chitavi Maulloo
Elyse Watkins, graduate student in the Hubbell group
“My first year and a half at the PME has been like being at a startup, except instead of a few members and funding problems, I have been with a class of 20 top-notch students along with inspiring faculty, administration, and scientists. Our class has had the opportunity to speak with the faculty and administration about how we think the curriculum would best serve students, visit our alma maters to recruit the best new talent, and think of new programs that would supplement our learning. Nearly our entire cohort has participated in initiatives that I had previously not known existed in graduate programs. We are in a program that is teaching us how to speak about our research to a general audience, with the final goal of presenting at the Museum of Science and Industry. We enrolled in a writing course focused on scientific writing, which was instrumental in writing our thesis proposals. We have had many "Molecular Mixers" where we interact with all members of PME, while feasting on great food, dancing salsa, taking pictures with props, and having a Lego-building contest. PME is focused on building an environment that allows us to cultivate not only our research skills, but also the equally important interpersonal, creative, and speaking skills that will make us great candidates as we move forward as the next generation of scientists.” –Elyse Watkins
Moshe Dolejsi, graduate student in the Nealey group
“Something new is always happening in the department. Everyone here is willing to put in the effort to make it a success, from the faculty to the administration to the students.
"As students, we’re really empowered to contribute to the growth and development of the PME. As PME safety chair, I meet once a month with the heads of Environmental Health and Safety, Office of Research Safety, as well as representatives from the Office of the Provost and others. I get direct insight and am able to provide feedback on University-level policies, which is an experience that’s simply not available at other institutions.
"A memorable event—Dr. de Pablo saw how stressed we were in his class a few days before the midterm. In response he drew a graph of happiness over time and included dips for both our exam and our homework as well as a slightly terrifying crash for our final. Then he told us that while the course might be hard, after we were done with it, we’d just be happier and happier every day.” –Moshe Dolejsi