Learning About Myself Through Research

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Ngaatendwe Manyika ('27), a Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics major, researched developing nano-porous devices for water filtration under the mentorship of Dr. Marija Drndić (Department of Physics and Astronomy) through the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program.

Nanotechnology receives praise in physics, the medical world, and all that lies between. I first heard about nanotechnology in a high school class and was drawn to the mystery of what this field of study entitled for humanity. I wanted to know more. So when I saw the opportunity to work in the Drndić group investigating the multidisciplinary use of silicon nitride nanotechnology, from biological system applications to water filtration, I was very excited. My specific project was focused on the fabrication process of silicon nitride for nano-porous devices.

This summer I learned a lot! There was emphasis on critical thinking and project management. When learning how to use the machinery, my mentors gave me and my fellow undergraduates academic freedom to improve the pre-existing methods. This allowed me to suggest new ways to scan a silicon nitride chip using Pythagoras's theorem—one of my more popular suggestions.

In addition to the technical skills I gained, I am also grateful to have met some amazing people who matched my energy. I got to know the life of a PhD student through various lenses, as my lab had four of them. My peer mentor (pictured above) was extremely helpful and kind; she gave me a much-needed perspective on conducting research and made plenty of 'dad jokes' along the way. I was delighted to make friends with a fellow rising sophomore; she is in the VIPER program at Penn and has taught me a lot about time management, hard work, and her favorite Chinatown restaurants. The connection I will cherish the most is with a rising senior. Although on the surface, we are vastly different, we share common life experiences and beliefs. He gave me lots of advice about class selection and other academic aspects of life at Penn. 

In making the poster needed for the research expo, I worked on my leadership and planning skills, as I had complete control over which aspects I wished to highlight. Finally, after spending ten weeks of research, some of the most essential skills I will continue to cultivate are sociability and having a sense of humor. Being light-hearted and open to various opinions and media has helped me find new interests and nurture the friendships I have created. I embarked on summer research with the Drndić group to learn more about nanotechnology, and I am pleased to have also learned more about myself throughout this process. I believe that this is what research is about at its core.

Interested in reading more first-hand accounts about undergraduate research? Check out the other experiences featured on our Student News Page and Social Media!

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