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Throughout my time at Adams State University, one of the most meaningful outcomes of my academic journey has been discovering how I learn—and how that learning continues to evolve. I have always understood myself first as a hands-on learner. Whether it was conducting laboratory experiments, engaging directly with coursework, or working through problems by physically interacting with the material, I learned best when I could experience concepts in a tangible way. That approach remains one of my greatest strengths and continues to guide how I understand new information.
However, my academics at Adams pushed me to expand far beyond that initial style. Over time, I developed a strong ability to learn conceptually through reading, analyzing literature, and listening attentively during lectures and discussions. Courses that required deep engagement with scientific texts, scholarly articles, and structured explanations challenged me to rely not only on tactile experience but also on interpretation, synthesis, and reflection. Where I once struggled to absorb dense readings or follow extended theoretical discussions, I now find myself able to extract key ideas, connect them across subjects, and understand how they apply within larger frameworks. Learning to think conceptually has made me more adaptable and more capable of approaching problems from multiple angles.
My personal projects and academic experiences reinforced this growth. Independent research, extended writing assignments, and complex multi-step scientific tasks required me to move between practical work and conceptual understanding fluidly. Reading technical sources, comparing information across references, taking detailed notes, and engaging with lectures all became essential parts of how I learn. I realized that the strongest understanding comes from combining methods rather than relying on one alone.
Reflecting on my Adams Experience as a whole, I see how these developments have shaped me into a lifelong student. I’ve learned to ask better questions, evaluate new information with confidence, and integrate ideas from across disciplines. I now value learning not only as something that happens through doing, but also as something that grows through listening, reading, and thoughtful analysis. This balanced, flexible approach will guide me as I pursue future academic goals, professional opportunities, and personal growth long after graduation. My evolution as a learner stands as one of the most significant accomplishments of my time at Adams State.
Personal Research Projects
Below are a few of my larger Research projects that I have done throughout my Undergraduate experience at Adams State University.
"Thorium: The Future of Nuclear Power?" Seminar style Talk
For my senior capstone course, we were required to conduct multiple research projects on a topic of our choice. I found myself interested in the field of nuclear chemistry after learning the basics of quantum mechanics. I decided to do a deep dive into nuclear power production and the mechanics behind it. I researched how Nuclear fuels produce electricity, the specifics of Uranium, along with the little experimental and theoretical data behind Thorium as a nuclear fuel. I put together a 25 minute presentation and presented in front of my chemistry board, students, and public viewers.
Abstract: The exponential growth of technology has had an equally exponential growth in the need for electricity to power these technologies. Nuclear power has long been seen as the answer to abundant amounts of "clean energy" compared to fossil fuels. A combination of factors has held nuclear power less than 20% of total energy production. Uranium is the standard when it comes to nuclear fuel, though there is a more abundant element that could expand the production of nuclear power, Thorium.
Link to Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1EsnxLJfqYg2w30yW6SdkDokE68tMJo5qNZTJLxbvdxg/edit?usp=sharing
"Studying Therapeutic Interaction of Limonene and Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol using CADD" Poster Presentation
This project initially began in my medicinal chemistry course where we learned about the mechanics and interactions of medicine to our bodies proteins, along with drug design and modification using open source Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD). Following completion of this course I continued to work on this project and I participated in the student poster presentation of the American Chemical Society (ACS) Fall 2024 international conference.
Abstract: Our endocannabinoid system (ECS) is the largest neurological system within our body and is present in all creatures excluding insects, largely responsible for homeostasis; controlling appetite, cardiovascular, various neurological, and immune systems. There is not a single process within ourselves that is not influenced by the ECS. The ECS is regulated by a group of compounds called cannabinoids. Our bodies produce multiple endogenous cannabinoids, anandamide (AEA), and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). An example of an exogenous cannabinoid is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is most commonly found in the flowers and leaves of marijuana plants. THC possesses some powerful medicinal/therapeutic effects, though, it is known to induce high levels of anxiety and paranoia as a side effect. Many people don't enjoy the amount of anxiety it can cause which stops many people from being able to benefit from using THC to aid in treatment. Limonene is one of the most abundant terpenes found in pine and citrus fruits, and has been found to reduce the ail effects, anxiety and paranoia, while having no influence on any of the positive effects when inhaled along with THC. The goal of this course-based research project in Medicinal Chemistry is to try and find how limonene is imposing these effects on the ECS using open source computer aided drug design (CADD) tools.
Link to Poster: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/19ZS1sTj-yeV6S3jVHJyXvFsPul6LnjEb/edit usp=sharing&ouid=117807642412565046280&rtpof=true&sd=true
"Pursuing Cheaper Alternative Mobile Phases for us in HPLC" Poster Presentation
This project was for my analytical chemistry course.
Abstract: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) commonly requires high-purity mobile phases, but HPLC-grade ethanol is significantly more expensive than commercial alternatives. This project aimed to determine whether Everclear, a commercially available 95% ethanol spirit, could serve as a cost-effective substitute for certified HPLC-grade ethanol in analytical applications. To evaluate its suitability, two analytical techniques, Proton(H) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (H-NMR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)—were used to assess ethanol concentration and identify potential impurities. ^1H NMR was performed using both calibration-curve and internal-standard methods, while GC-MS was used for qualitative contaminant screening. These analyses were conducted to characterize the purity of Everclear relative to laboratory-grade solvents and to determine whether it meets the basic chemical requirements for use as an HPLC mobile phase.
Link to Poster: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17El9T0qIjFo_ZEmVNNd9L8V_4455iNr8/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117807642412565046280&rtpof=true&sd=true
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