
This summer, I researched at a physical chemistry lab in Germany under the RESOLV initiative. RESOLV is a collaboration between universities in the Ruhr area (but centered at RUB) that focuses interdisciplinary science research (particularly within chemistry as well as physics/biology) onto the subject of solvation research, the science how molecule behave when in solution. The initiative was founded with the realization that solvation is a ubiquitous process with relevance to all aspects of our world, but shockingly little is understood about these solvation processes. My research was within the Physical Chemistry department of RUB and within the RESOLV initiative. We did work with experimental physical chemistry and laser spectroscopy to explore these nuanced solvation dynamics.
We looked at dynamics in aqueous solutions using terahertz spectroscopy. More specifically, I studied super photoacids in aqueous solution using the lab's optical-pump-terahertz-probe setup. I found in Germany a great chance to work with unfamiliar laser setups surrounded by thoughtful, creative scientists. Outside of lab work, you would often find me biking around the streets of Bochum, searching for new hikes in the region, or at a concert in the city's music hall.