Kara Moulton, ’23

I applied for the DAAD-RISE award because I have always wanted to study abroad, but didn't want to sacrifice any research experience. Dr. Reynolds informed me of multiple opportunities where I might be able to still do research while in a different country, and the DAAD-RISE was a perfect fit! 

I applied for the Goldwater scholarship with the encouragement of the two professors whose labs I have been working in for the past two years — Dr. Forman and Dr. Cerda, both of whom I am extremely grateful for. I was not expecting to win at all, but figured nonetheless it would be a good practice in articulating my research and future goals.

I knew this award would give me more flexibility in choosing what lab I work in during graduate school. It will also provide me with funding to attend conferences and continue to communicate my research and learn from others in the field.

With the DAAD-RISE, I am really looking forward to the opportunity to broaden my research horizons to be able to determine what I am most interested in within organic chemistry. As I am looking to apply to Ph.D. programs in the fall, I am also very excited to experience what it will be like to be a graduate student. 

With the Goldwater, I am most looking forward to being able to join the community of Goldwater scholars, including the many that we have had in the past few years from SJU.

My experience in Germany was wonderful! It was great being able to experience something so formative in both professional and personal ways. I learned a lot in the lab, but was also able to make the most of being abroad. I traveled to other cities and countries almost every weekend. I never thought I would be able to have a study abroad experience as a chemistry major, so I was extremely grateful for the opportunity. 

I'm not sure if it would be considered a tradition, but my favorite aspect of living in Germany was the environmental consciousness and emphasis on spending time outside. I lived in Muenster, the "biking capital" of Germany, and I really loved being able to bike anywhere I needed to go without having to worry about traffic or public transportation. There were also so many public parks and running trails to enjoy.

I will begin working toward my PhD in chemistry at MIT in the fall.