I read an extract in a journal about some research being conducted at Loughborough regarding electro spinning that piqued my interest. I approached the researcher on my interview day and he actually answered my questions and didn’t brush me aside.

The teaching quality and facilities have really benefitted my learning. My lecturers have elevated my ability to analyse and make judgements; I now question and analyse information in greater depth, generating insights I otherwise would not. We also have access to powerful tools for modelling complex systems in the department and this really aided my understanding of fluid mechanics and reaction engineering.

In the future, I would like to go into the FMCG (fast moving consumer goods)/food engineering sector, with a specialism in either alcoholic beverages or coffee. The food engineering module as part of my course made me realise that chemical engineering is so much more than fine chemicals and oil; and that there are complex but relevant challenges in the food and drink industry that are just waiting to be solved. With FMCG I can point to something on a supermarket shelf and say, “I made that”. 

To date, what I’ve enjoyed most is the professional development project (PDP) that forms part of the Chemical Engineering course. I expanded my horizons and perspectives by obtaining an academic position at the Center for Coffee Research and Education at Texas A&M University. Working alongside renowned academics in their fields galvanised me, and I recommitted myself to contributing to engineering and science. The department here in Loughborough also provided financial support for me gaining my visa to the US and paid for my flights!