NIST Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program for Benjamin Hackett

Since my first science and math courses in high school, I have always been interested in using this knowledge to better understand the manner in which the world is put together. This unsurprisingly resulted in great interest in materials science and engineering, the basis for many of the exciting new products and tools developed from today’s technology. Currently I am a junior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in this field. Studying at the University of Kentucky has enabled me to learn even more about the relationship between the underlying structure and the observable properties of materials. With these tools that I have gained throughout my course of study, I now possess great insight in ways to formulate new or improved materials for a multitude of applications. One of my future educational goals is to pursue an advanced degree at the graduate level. Striving to achieve high marks through demonstrated understanding of theory and concepts in class is of great importance to me. I am highly motivated and enjoy solving challenging problems. I enjoyed working with computers in previous summers and through this work experience I learned how to identify problems, develop solutions, and ultimately implement the fixes. Language and communication skills have always been a strong suit. I am proficient in the German language and was a key participant on a debate team where excellent oral and written skills are required. I have the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively in a team. Having the opportunity to apply this new found knowledge to solve practical problems through actual hands-on work would be of great benefit to my future professional development. Gaining research and technical experience, specifically with SEM, at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Physical Measurement Laboratory would even further propel me towards achieving my educational and professional goals.