Fifteen CBEE students attended the 2024 AIChE Annual Student Conference in San Diego, CA from October 25, 2024 to October 28, 2024. 

ChemE Jeopardy - 3rd place, National Competition

Name: Keerthana Goskonda

Pronouns: She/Her

Semester of Internship: Summer 2024

Major: Chemical Engineering

Current Class Level: Master’s Student

This semester I completed a(n): Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Uplift Geosystems LLC

Location of the Organization (City, State): Halethorpe, Maryland

Title of Position: Process Engineering Intern

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:

As a metal extraction-focused Process Engineering Intern at Uplift Geosystems LLC, I conducted experiments to optimize extraction techniques, involving detailed sample preparation, equipment setup, and consistent monitoring of reaction conditions. I participated in regular project reviews and team meetings to discuss obstacles and progress. My work included collecting and analyzing data to evaluate different methodologies, collaborating with my team to troubleshoot any challenges faced during testing. Keeping thorough records of all processes and outcomes was vital, and presenting my findings to the team provided constructive feedback. This hands-on experience emphasized the importance of teamwork in a research environment and deepened my understanding of metal extraction processes.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application? 

I discovered the Process Engineering Internship at a university career fair in early January and was immediately eager to apply. A week after the fair, I submitted my application, showcasing my previous undergraduate research on milling techniques. Following an interview where I presented my research ideas, I was offered the internship. During the internship, I continuously learned and contributed to the team, leading to a promotion to Process Engineering Intern, which expanded my responsibilities and expertise in metal extraction processes.

What resources did you use to find your current experience? 

UMBC Career Center, Handshake

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization? 

The most enjoyable aspect of my role has been the hands-on practical lab work related to metal extraction. I found it incredibly rewarding to conduct experiments and observe real-time results. The process of analyzing and optimizing procedures was both challenging and exciting, as it allowed me to apply my academic knowledge in real-world scenarios. Additionally, I greatly valued the mentorship from my supervisor, which enriched my learning experience.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work? 

I believe I’ve made an impact by enhancing the efficiency of metal extraction processes, identifying areas of improvement, and recommending changes. My hands-on experimental work provided valuable data that contributed to better project outcomes. By actively engaging in team discussions, I helped foster a culture of continuous improvement and supported the achievement of our project objectives.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience? 

My advice for students looking for an internship is to start early and take the initiative in searching for opportunities. Utilize resources such as career fairs, professors’ recommendations, and professional networking. Ensure that your resume and CV highlight relevant skills and experiences, and be prepared to discuss specific projects or coursework during interviews. Most importantly, maintain curiosity and be open to learning new things.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center. 

“I loved the hands-on experience in the lab and the mentorship from my supervisor, which greatly enhanced my knowledge. The Career Center, especially the 'Shattuck Internship Program,' provided me with a strong starting point for my career journey.”

Did you have an internship and want to be featured as Intern of the Week? Fill out the form below for a chance to be our next featured intern!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe4YeSa9PxTksR7kgIUTKIrx_FzEmd04j7rskRgNR6BLfpMLA/viewform?usp=sf_link

The Public Stories Lab Presents: "Quantum Entanglements and Critical Indigenous Fish Philosophy: looking back on 50 years of Critical Indigenous scholarship on science, philosophy, and fish in Canada and the USA"

Virtual Event: November 6, 2024
From 11:00-12:30 pm EST
Public Stories Lab

Please join us for an enlightening dialogue with fish philosopher, artist, and activist-scholar Zoe Todd.

This talk will explore the trajectories that guide my team's 'Critical Indigenous Fish Philosophy', starting with the fish philosophers that inform my current work. First and foremost, my late stepfather, Wayne Roberts, who was a Red River Métis scientist who passionately defended fish, amphibians, and all manner of creatures in his career in Alberta and ignited my passion for fish science when I was a child. I will also share how the work of founders of the discipline of Indigenous Studies, including Vine Deloria Jr and Leroy Little Bear, among others, shape my current thinking about fish, sovereignty and my team's efforts to build an anti-imperialist prairie fish science in our homelands. 

We encourage attendees to visit the website Critical Indigenous Fish Philosophy. 

Questions? Contact Viridiana Colosio-Martinez: vcolosi1@umbc.edu

Presenter Bio:

Zoe Todd (Citizen, Manitoba Métis Federation) is a Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Indigenous Governance and Freshwater Fish Futures at Simon Fraser University. They are a fish philosopher, artist, and activist-scholar from Alberta working towards establishing better ways to honour collective human obligations to fish in the prairies. They are also a co-founder of the Institute for Freshwater Fish Futures (2018), which is an interdisciplinary collective of Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists, scientists, lawyers, architects, journalists, historians, advocates, and trouble-makers working to acknowledge our collective responsibilities to fish and water across plural watersheds and homelands in Canada and internationally. 

This event is being hosted as a part of the 2024-2025 Launch of the Public Stories lab which includes a events Co-sponsored by The Division of Professional Studies and Community Leadership Programs, The Shriver Center, The Minor in Critical Disability Studies, Department of Geography and Environmental Systems, Department of American Studies, Language, Literacy, and Culture Doctoral Program, Dresher Center Faculty group on Digital Storytelling.

For more info on how to RSVP and join the on-line event via WebEx, visit:

RAND is currently recruiting for our 2025 Summer Associate research internship for doctoral students. Please share the information below with current graduate students enrolled in doctoral or professional degree programs who may be interested in a paid summer internship that provides experience with policy research at a nonprofit, nonpartisan research institution. We welcome all applicants, including those who identify as part of historically marginalized groups.

RAND Summer Associate Paid Internship- https://www.rand.org/jobs/summer-associates.html

RAND provides a unique opportunity for graduate students to apply their research skills to important, policy-relevant research projects. Available positions encompass a wide variety of policy-relevant substantive areas (e.g., education, health, justice policy, social and economic policy, labor, national security, cyber policy, data science, etc.) and methodological skills (e.g., quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, machine learning, etc.).

Summer Associates are mentored by an experienced researcher, typically work in an interdisciplinary team, and engage in a wide range of activities to learn what it is like to work at RAND. The program is typically 12 weeks of full-time research; students receive a bi-weekly paycheck.
 
Application Information
Application Deadline: December 2, 2024
Please note: Our Summer Associate Program will be hybrid for summer 2025. Students will participate in-person at one of RAND's four U.S.-based offices or fully remote/virtual from where they live.
Positions will only be available for students residing in the U.S. (excluding U.S. territories) for the duration of the summer associate assignment.

Read more important details and FAQs →

About RAND
RAND is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND's research and analysis address issues that impact people everywhere, including security, health, education, sustainability, growth, and development. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest.

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