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employ the many laboratory techniques instead of logically understanding why techniques are called for,” Wandell said. “For
this reason, I adopted a Socratic teaching style to help them think more deeply about the subject matter.”
Wandell also discovered that a positive attitude is highly contagious and helpful in a laboratory setting.
“Even when things didn’t go as planned, I tried to convey excitement, curiosity and wonder to my students,” Wandell said.
In addition to his involvement with research and teaching at Florida State, Wandell joined the Florida State chapter of the
American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and the FSU Flying High Circus.
After earning his bachelor’s degree, Wandell began his pursuit of a doctorate in chemical engineering at FSU. Working with
Dr. Locke and industry mentor David O’Hara, Robert Wandell is developing a plasma system that can aid in organic farming.
His efforts have already yielded an NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps) award, which provides researchers with funding, plus set
curriculum and programming to help guide them through the process of commercializing their research products. The team
received a $50,000 grant through a successful I-Corps application, and attended a short course on business development
and met with about 100 companies and potential clients to assess market potential of their process. Locke and Wandell also
earned a GAP award of an additional $50,000 additional from FSU to support these commercialization efforts and do more
plant testing to expand partnerships with the agriculture industry.
“These organic crops are highly susceptible to disease, which makes them less profitable,” Wandell said. “This could aid organic
farming or sustainable farming.”
“My interest in science seems to grow the more I learn,” Wandell said. “I have developed much respect for the scientific
community through my experiences in research. The chance to study among the brightest minds of my generation is one
that I will no longer pass up if given the opportunity.”
Alicia Calero continued from page 7
But if it weren’t for Amy and Anant’s presence in my life, and
my time at the MagLab, I would not be the same hardworking
or knowledge-hungry engineer that I am today. My mentors
taught me to think outside of the box and to never settle for
less. They taught me that there is more than meets the eye if
you are patient and careful enough to see it.
When I think of them, I think of their approachability, and
I will never forget how humble they both are. Regardless
of how many accolades they earn, they are still friendly,
dedicated and willing to help. This is important, as there are
many scientists who are not so encouraging and push others
in the opposite direction. When I think of my mentors, I think
about passion, dedication, and creativity.
I hope that my mentors remember me as that stubborn
student who wouldn’t stop asking questions. I want them
to remember me as that student who would continuously
bring up topics that would lead to more discussion for
expanded learning. With this, I hope that they remember
that what they say is influential, and that it inspires others to
not only be creative, but to also be determined.
Alicia Calero, foreground, aboard a deepwater, Shell-owned
oil-and-gas plant in the Gulf of Mexico. She is there to make a
preproduction safety inspection.
To this day, I hope to be the mentor that Amy and Anant
were to me. They continue to be the scientists I think about
for successful pursuit of knowledge. Their patience and care
for the field of science is important because that alone has
taught me to share that patience with others. I hope that I
will be that inspiration for someone else to pursue science as
Anant and Amy h