Teresa Croce
2nd Year graduate student
University of Massachusetts, Amherst Chemistry, magna cum laude
In high school did you know you wanted to major in chemistry in college?
Going from high school to college I was unsure as to what I was going to do with my life I knew that the path was set for me to go to college, but for what and where? Since I had always made good grades in my chemistry classes, I decided to be chemistry major, and I went to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
What made you want to continue studying chemistry?
In college, I did my research at a small R&:D company called KSE, Inc. (an air pollution design and control company). This satisfied my requirement, yet it definitely aroused my curiosity. Learning chemistry from a text is interesting, but it doesn't come close to first hand research. Initially, I thought that I would be a patent lawyer, but I did an internship (paid) at Bristol-Myers Squibb in their Organic Research and Development department. and decided on graduate school in chemistry.
Did you know immediately what chemistry graduate program you wanted to go to?
I had no idea where I would be accepted. I discussed my concerns with my advisor and he insisted that I only needed to apply to 3-4 schools and that I should be accepted into all of the programs. I didn't believe him so I applied to 10 schools and got into all but one of the schools. I even applied to some schools that weren't on my "list." Vanderbilt happened to be one of those schools.
What made Vanderbilt stand out from all of the other schools?
After my visit, I realized that it was the place for me. There were a number of aspects which impressed me. The facilities are excellent, especially for a medium-sized program. There are 2 NMRs(Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy) downstairs from me (in the same building) and the building right next to me has one of the best Mass Spec Centers in the country. Not to mention that everyone who I met with was awesome and so willing to help.
What was your initial experience like at Vanderbilt and Nashville?
I wasn't sure what to expect, and I definitely was NOT prepared to be as homesick as I was. My family and friends were not here. But then I started making new friends, and had classes and rotations to keep me busy.
How did you end up in the research group you are currently working with?
There was a faculty candidate, Dr. Eva Harth, whose research seemed very interesting. We met and discussed her research, and we hit it off. When she joined the department, I became her first student. My situation could not have worked out any better. Right now, she has three students and had three undergraduate students. This summer she will have a post-doc and another student.
What are your plans after you obtain your PhD?
Once I finish my PhD, I would like to get my MBA and start a cosmetics company. I would also be happy to work in industry.
When you are able to get away from the lab, what do you do for fun?
I have only discussed the academic (work) portion of my life here at Vanderbilt, but there is definitely another dimension. For all of my first year I was taking classes through the Vanderbilt Dance program, specifically Hip-Hop, which was fabulous. I even was in a recital . something I haven't done since I was in 8 th grade.
I also play intramural softball and was playing pick-up basketball for a while. I was involved in the graduate student steering committee which brings in named lecturers and organizes the annual picnic.
Then there are all the concerts that come through Nashville. Any day of the week, some really great acts come through Nashville.
