Geoffrey Jenkins

PhD Pre-Candidate
Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering (CLaSP)
Moldwin Research Group (M3L)

What years did you participate in UROP?

2017-2018

What UROP Program(s) were you a part of?

Changing Gears

What made you choose UROP?

As a transfer student, I was very interested in starting research as soon as possible, and CG through UROP was very helpful in this effort.

What do you think you have learned from your UROP experience?

How to discuss research from different fields in a cohesive manner with those who are conducting it. For my specific UROP experience, I was able to learn common research principles involved in conducting research in my field.

What is the extent to which you have kept in contact with your Research Mentor?

We continue to work together, almost 3 years after my UROP experience.

How did your UROP experience shape or inform the next steps you took in your academic and professional journey?

My UROP experience led to a research position I have maintained for two years. This has opened doors for me as a graduate student and an early career scientist.

What advice would you give to a current UROP student?

Dive in, and ask many questions. Repeat yourself when you need, and ask others to do the same for you. It will save a lot of time and avoid a lot of confusion, for everyone.

What are some recent publications or accomplishments that you are proud of?

Stemming from my UROP experience, I am currently working on my first, first-author paper on Mars' atmosphere!

Is there any other advice you would like to impart to current or future UROP students.

From my perspective, there are numerous research opportunities available to students who are willing to work hard. So many, in fact, if you find yourself uninterested in a project, do your best work for the remainder of your time with the project and then find something else to do. Research is exciting when you enjoy it, so don't do anything you don't find inspiring. My original UROP project was not the most exciting thing for me, but I really enjoyed working with my mentor. So we continued to work on other projects together after my year with UROP was complete.