ZOE TIMOTHY

ABOUT THE RESEARCHER:

1.     Who are you doing research with this summer and what kind of research project are you doing?

I am conducting a computational chemistry project under the guidance of Dr. Adejare from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The goal of my project is to develop a visualization of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in the brain through a molecular dynamics simulation.

2.     What do you find fascinating in the research you’re doing?

Computational chemistry is such a varied and open-ended field that many projects are a new avenue of research, which makes any progress or result fascinating just because it may be novel or previously unknown to the extent revealed by the study.

3.     What skills are you learning through the USURF experience?

I have learnt to be persistent because so many different simple commands or tasks may fail for any given number of reasons when conducting computational research. I have to either learn new ways to process files or research new commands so that the project doesn’t stall or fail.

4.     What are the challenges you’re encountering in your research?

Because I am working very individually and independent from my lab group, I have difficulty motivating and focusing myself onto my research project. When I am working alone for so many hours or without someone to constantly advise my actions, it’s easy to allow myself to be distracted.

5.     How is your USURF experience impacting the way you view your field?

This project really helps me to understand the breadth of research or work that can be done, both on one research focus and the field of organic chemistry as a whole. While my work is independent from the active projects being done by others in my lab group, it still ties into one small topic within the expanse of organic synthetic chemistry.

6.     Tell us something interesting about yourself.

   I am a bit of a daredevil. I have enjoyed the opportunity to go skydiving, whitewater rafting, ocean kayaking, ziplining, and numerous       other adventurous outdoor activities, starting with hang gliding when I was twelve.