Meet Raewyn, a fourth-year Bioeconomy Sciences and Technology student working as an undergraduate research assistant in the Advanced Renewable Materials Lab!
The Advanced Renewable Materials Lab is led by Dr. Scott Renneckar. This lab works with plant based polymers and a range of other natural materials to create sustainable products for a variety of applications.
Raewyn shares what it is like working in a lab, what a typical day at work is like and the unique opportunities this position has provided her with.
In this role, I get hands on experience researching renewable biomaterials, preparing samples, and testing the properties of the materials I create. One project I’m currently working on involves developing foams without the use of fossil fuels.
Through my degree, I’ve taken courses in organic chemistry, polymer science, and applied biotechnology, which provide a strong foundation for many of my daily tasks. My laboratory classes offered hands-on experience, allowing me to practice essential lab techniques and procedures. I’ve also been able to apply research skills, particularly in literature review and data analysis, developed through coursework to real world scenarios.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with a variety of equipment in the lab, including ATR, DSC, DMA, and a rheometer. Building on this, I’m learning how to interpret, analyze, and compare results and raw data generated by these instruments.
A typical day in the lab involves meeting with my supervisor to discuss tasks for the day, planning my schedule, preparing and analyzing samples while updating my lab book, and attending lab meetings to share progress on current projects. The best part of this job is that it allows me to gain meaningful, hands on experience that I can apply both in the classroom and in my future career. I also love having the opportunity to explore scientific topics that interest me and to follow my curiosity in a field I’m passionate about.