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The Interview:

Karen: Tell me about your research.  What are you working on right now?

Jalen: Since May 24, I’ve been working in the research group of Dr. Fang Luo. This summer, I'm actually continuing on with the project I started working on last summer, where I'm making another application of the module I built as a buck converter. Buck converters are essentially a type of converter that's mainly used in chargers. Through the research, I’ve learned a lot about the general application of power electronics as a whole, but also about my team-- the packaging team. We basically make optimizations for the power electronics to be more efficient or more cost effective. I've also learned about the different softwares used to make circuits such as the Altium industry software that's used mainly to make PCBs. I've also learned about a software known as SOLIDWORKS, which basically allows me to make the physical component within the software that I can then send over to our manufacturers to make that for us. 

Do you see any crossover from what you learn in your classes, and what you're learning by doing research?

That's a good question. I was talking about this with my friends not that long ago, because I realized that basically all the classes I had last semester had something to do with my research, so I was able to better understand these classes because of my research involvement. For instance, there is a really good class that I took on microelectronics, and a lot of what we work on in the lab relates to what we learned in microelectronics. I think there will be even more connections next year, when I take more courses in my specialization.

What's the atmosphere like in your research group? Are there other undergraduates?  

This semester, we had 2 new undergrads join the lab, but for a long time, I was the only undergrad and I was working mostly with PhD students. We have weekly meetings with the professor every Monday to discuss different projects that we're working on. Our research group is basically functioning as an R&D, where we have contracts for industries, but also do our own research as well. I have a main graduate student mentor that I work with for a lot of the projects but I also jump around to help out other members of the team and learn about other projects.

What would you say is the most challenging part of research? What is your favorite part of research?

The two overlap. I would say the most challenging part of the research is definitely understanding the knowledge, because a lot of the work requires advanced PhD level knowledge of the field, and it is a challenge because I haven’t started taking my specialization courses. 

But I would say what I love most about doing research is definitely the knowledge I have gained. I have learned so much from working with PhD students and building up my knowledge from hard work.  Getting a chance to see my finished products is also a good feeling!

Did you enjoy presenting a fposter at the end of last summer’s program summarizing your research? Was that your first professional presentation?

Yes, it was. And I did enjoy it a lot, being able effectively to communicate what I learned. It was definitely a good feeling, because presenting and public speaking have always been areas that I would like to work on and improve and get more practice with. I think I've gotten better as time goes on with presenting and not tripping on my words.

I would say in general too that I feel more confident coming back for a second summer and having another chance to do a presentation. Also, just from having worked in my lab with my professor for about a year now, I like knowing what I have to do and having more responsibilities now for the project. I feel like I am able to contribute more now.

What would you say are the main benefits of participating in a summer research program?

Some of the workshops, such as the one on how to read scientific research papers, were very helpful. And just getting advice on how to go about the whole process of research was useful. Also, just the fact that you are doing this work during the summer when you don’t have classes and can really focus on the project helps you to gain a better understanding of the research. … Research takes time. My faculty mentor has been helping me through step through step processes of making the module, and has been giving me tasks of understanding the softwares connected with our lab. I've learned ~ 3 new softwares for the project. Overall, you can definitely accomplish a lot more during the summer when you can dedicate yourself to this full time.

Was research one of the reasons you chose Stony Brook?

Yes, plus the fact that they have a really strong engineering program.

If you were talking to other students, what advice would you give about undergraduate research?

I would say that the whole point of research is to expand your own knowledge so it can be applied to something new later, down the line. When you’re starting out, just as long as you're learning, don’t worry if you’re not building anything new or discovering anything new. It’s okay. At this point, you need to lay the groundwork for being an effective researcher. And you can do this by reading, but also by doing things hands-on. Just keep learning as you go.  

Anything else?

Get to know your lab mates as well as the equipment, because if you don't know the equipment, it could be dangerous as I've been told multiple times. And it’s important to be able to work with all the team members, to collaborate.

I would also add that the Career Center isa valuable resource for any undergrad I know. I've gone a couple of times to ask about my resume or explore options for what I want to do during my 4 years here. I knew I wanted to get research experience early on, but I also wanted to apply for internships too to get some more experience in the power electronics field.  And they’ve been helping me with figuring this out and helping me with my resume.

Sounds like great advice! And what are your long-term plans?  

I plan to go to grad school and after getting a Phd, I eventually want to work in R & D. For me, my research experiences have confirmed that I’m on the path I want to be on.