This year the graduating seniors presented me with the “Most likely to be mentoring a student in every lab” award. It was very fitting for this group of students because in the summer of 2016, a couple of colleagues approached me to help train students on biochemical techniques. You’ve actually already heard about the Leopold collaboration and some joint mentoring of Michael, Libby, and Najwa that resulted in our recent publication in the Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry. However, today we are discussing a collaboration that started all because of this student, Patrick Tomhon. Patrick joined Dr. Kristine Nolin’s lab in his second year and she had this crazy new idea working with virus-like particles. Patrick headed to Georgia Tech to get trained by one of the experts, Prof. MG Finn, and then had the task of setting everything up back at the University of Richmond. The Nolin lab has focused primarily on calcium and ruthenium-catalyzed reaction development so this post-tenure foray into biochemistry was new to Kristine. She recruited me to assist Patrick in the techniques and from there the collaboration blossomed. In the summer of 2017, the group grew to 4 students with Patrick training all the new folks. This summer we will have 6 students full-time; however, we will be down a Patrick since he graduates in two weeks. Both Kristine and I owe Patrick a debt for all the hard work he has put in establishing protocols and getting this part of our program up and running. Patrick is both a chemistry major and a international economics major. He spends the little free time he has playing on the Richmond Ultimate Frisbee team. Well, I suppose I have rambled on long enough and I should turn it over to Patrick:
Q1. Why did you decide to join The NoPo Lab?
Patrick: When Dr. Nolin first told me about the project I knew I wanted to work on it because of the intersection of the research at the interface of biochemistry, organic chemistry, and materials chemistry. I found it fascinating to be working toward the design of an actual material product that could have real world applications.
Q2. What was your favorite part about your research experience?
Patrick: My favorite part of my research experience was getting to work closely with and teach other students. It was fun cultivating a strong group environment and making close friends.
Q3. What do you plan to do after graduation?
Patrick: I’m going to be starting a chemistry Ph.D. program this fall at NC State.
Q4. As you reflect back on your time at University of Richmond, what advice would you give to an incoming student who was interested in your career path?
Patrick: I would advise any incoming student who is interested in grad school to start research as early as possible. One of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t start doing research earlier so I could’ve made more progress before I graduate.
Patrick– Your legacy will live on in TVS forever. Hopefully the work will be super productive this summer and we’ll be emailing you to help us put the paper together soon. I know you will love the Research Triangle Park area. There is lots of good food and, of course, good basketball. Come back and visit us when you can. I can’t wait to see the great things you accomplish as a graduate student! Best of luck.
~jap
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