• While all Laidlaw Scholars will be presenting their research at the Columbia Undergraduate Research Symposium in the fall, what are the more immediate expectations that you have for your research? Are you writing a paper? Will your research be part of a larger scientific study? Do you hope to produce an annotated bibliography that you reflect on down the line? Is your research now the first phase of a project you’ll continue to work on throughout the year, and/or next summer? Now that we are nearing the one month mark of the program, please write about your expectations for your research.

 I'm hoping that my research this summer will be the first step of a larger project that I'll continue in the lab during the academic year. Throughout my first month in the lab, I've been using a lab journal in order to keep track of the chronology of my research. This will serve as a reference to me for my future work in the lab. 

• Why does your research matter? Explain the significance of the question you are investigating, and why you are interested in it.

I'm exploring light interaction in materials (TMDs). Spectroscopy in TMDs employs advanced optical methods to drive breakthroughs in materials science. This field of study could lead to innovation in the solar power industry, creating more efficient renewable energy methods.