Derrick Appiah Osei, CPU2AL Alabama Research Experiences for Undergraduates (ALREU) 2022 intern, has won the Best Presentation Award at the Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) Annual Conference.

Derrick, a Talladega College undergraduate student, completed the CPU2AL ALREU internship program during the Summer of 2022 at Alabama A&M University, under the mentorship of Dr. Padmaja Guggilla. Derrick’s research project is titled “Optical Characterization of Nanocomposite Materials Exposed by Cold Plasma Jet.” Moreover, Derrick has accepted to present his research at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), scheduled to take place Nov. 9-12 in Anaheim, California.

We asked Derrick some questions about his experience with the CPU2AL program and his journey to receiving this award.

 

Q: Discuss your journey to the award, how you got there, who was important to the process, and what you did to prepare.

A:— I first applied for a grant for my expenses at the conference by submitting my abstract from my ALREU research and graciously, it got approved. I attended the conference, sat for numerous oral presentations, presented my work, and was judged accordingly. It felt heartwarming to see an email for my grant approval but even more surreal when my name was called out for a recognition at the conference. Hearkening back, I’m ever glad my mentor Dr. Padmaja Guggilla led me for my research as she didn’t tell me what to do but helped me learn —in my own way— everything I needed for my work. My work has been approved for the ABRCMS in California too to come showcase my science in November 2022 and it was all thanks to the CPU2AL program.

 

Q: How would you describe your experience this summer in the ALREU program?

A:— in a single word—Transformative. It exposed me to more exciting fields of science I formerly would dismiss, being a Mathematics major. Now I’m interested in an advanced degree in Nanotechnology or Polymer Science.

Now I won’t face my ‘academic future’ with just my former skill set and knowledgebase since I have a research experience under my belt which means so much to me being a minority from a very small college. Before my research, I only wanted to be a Mechanical Engineer but now I have a focus in mechanical engineering I would love to work in— semiconductors. On the whole, the CPU2AL 2022 program has been instrumental in my growth in all regard!

 

Q: What are your major takeaways from the internship?

A:— Be open-minded and even more creative: above all else—be teachable. I’ve seen a lot of growth in me in these past few months and I’m ever glad I seized the opportunity to intern for the CPU2AL program when it came my way.