"I had always had an interest in sustainability and knew I wanted to go to graduate school. Working in LORRE was a great opportunity for me to gain practical lab experience while also working on a project with an environmental focus and learn about how sustainability can be implemented in unexpected ways. While I am initially from St. Charles, Illinois, I did my undergraduate degree in ABE here at Purdue University. I have been working in LORRE since the summer of 2022, and I’m continuing to work with the lab as I start graduate school. The most enjoyable aspect of working in LORRE has been the collaborative environment. Everyone in the lab has helped me with my project at some point, either by introducing me to new equipment, advising me on ways to improve my methods, or by discussing my results. The collaboration within the lab has been the highlight of my LORRE experience and one of the things encouraged me to attend graduate school. During my time at Purdue and in the lab, I have engaged in competitive ballroom dance and Muay Thai as ways to keep my body active as well as my mind."

–Emily Aicher