Sophia Aracri is currently studying to earn her doctorate in polymer science with Dr. Mark Foster as her faculty advisor. Read more about Sophia and her academic journey in the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering (SPSPE).
How does your major fit into your life’s plan?
I hope to help contribute to creating a cleaner and more sustainable future. I first became interested in polymer science due to its applications in water purification. Currently, I am working on a project that aims to create recyclable carbon fiber composites. In the future, I would like to continue working on projects that aim to develop more sustainable processes for producing and reprocessing polymers.
What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned?
To view challenges as learning opportunities. Research can be discouraging at times, but focusing on what I learned after an experiment didn’t go to plan has helped motivate me and progress my research along.
Why did you choose The University of Akron?
I choose to study polymer science at The University of Akron because I really liked how collaborative the School is. Currently, I am working on a research project with professors and students from multiple research groups and partners from industry and a national laboratory.
Tell us about your experience in an internship or research project.
This year I went to the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory to help a group member conduct X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy experiments. We were studying how the filler network in a tire rubber sample evolved over time when the system was stretched. It was a great learning experience and opportunity to collaborate with the beamline scientists there.
Who is your favorite professor or staff person and why?
Jiansheng Feng has been very helpful in not only training me on several instruments, but also helping me troubleshoot any challenges I have faced when characterizing my samples or analyzing the data.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation I would like to work in industry.
Anything else you would like to share?
I ran my first half marathon this year, and I hope run my next one soon.