Alina T
- Research Program Mentor
PhD candidate at Princeton University
Expertise
Biochemistry, Microbiology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering
Bio
I completed my undergraduate degree at Rutgers University as part of the Honors College where I majored in Chemical Engineering and obtained a minor in Biological Sciences. I conducted research on how biomass can most efficiently be converted to biofuels. Currently, I am at Princeton University where I am studying the antimicrobial activity of natural products. I have experience in mentoring middle school and high school students through summer programs; I also have experience tutoring college students. I look forward to mentoring students passionate about science and/or engineering! In my free time, I enjoy reading, grabbing coffee, and enjoying time outdoors with friends.Project ideas
Industrial Proteins
There are several proteins used in industry that need to be produced and purified at large scales. For example, the antibodies used in antibody treatments are proteins. There are several challenges associated with large-scale production of proteins considering their biological nature. For this project, you will study a certain protein used in industry, investigate the current production process, and determine how the process can be made more efficient.
Microbes Around Us
When we hear about bacteria, we usually think about the pathogenic ("bad") bacteria that cause infections. However, there are also many "good" bacteria in items we consume such as yogurt and kombucha. In this project, you will study the role of bacteria in making a certain food, and explore any variations that can result in changes to the final product.