Elina Rani
Research Intern at Modestino Research Group
During Summer 2023 I had the opportunity for a paid internship in a lab through NYU. I spent roughly 10 weeks assisting a current PhD student on his research surrounding utilizing electrochemistry for sustainable production of Nylon 6,6. As part of this research I gained a solid foundation fof applicable technical skills and learned to use GC/MS, NMR, and the Opentrons OT-2 pipetting robot. Working in a lab strengthened my problem-solving skills as it is typical that things will go slightly awry.
I've continued working in the lab throughout the 2023-2024 academic year and have had the privilege of mentoring several undergraduates into our lab.
Through this experience I’ve gained significant insight into how concepts from my classes are applied into real chemistry, and have gained a spot on a published research paper.
Completed New York University - Coding for Data Track
The Global Tech Experience aims to combine learning technical skills with skills related to communication and inclusivity. In the Coding for Data workshop I got my first taste of data analysis using SQL and Python via the Pandas library. I had previously never had experience in processing data, and this allowed me to understand how to start doing so. Previously I had only had experience coding, and this knowledge easily transferred to learning how to analyze data. These skills have been actively put to use in my on-campus job where I manage large databases of student data.
Teaching Assistant for Introductory Engineering Classes at NYU
In my freshman and sophomore year I worked as a teaching assistant for two introductory engineering classes (EG 1004, EG 1001). As part of this I gained a new understanding on how classes are run.
As part of the team I met a number of new students and professors at Tandon that all work together for student success. Professionally, I was able to network with bright students and had access to new opportunities as a result. My skills in areas like public speaking and coding improved. Overall, I was able to gain insight into the backbone behind NYU Tandon and develop interpersonal skills.