March's Stellar Scholar: Melvin Thomas!
Why did you choose your major?: "I like organic chemistry because of its space and scope for creativity. I always want to be a part of something useful to humankind. Green Chemistry is an attempt to practice chemistry in an environmentally responsible fashion. The pharmaceutical industry is a life-saving industry. It is also a waste-producing industry. About 80% of the waste generated by the Pharmaceutical industry is organic solvents. These organic solvents pollute soil, air and water resources. Here, I am working on minimizing the waste from the pharmaceutical Industry by replacing toxic organic solvents with water, under the guidance of Prof. Bruce Lipshutz. We are using micelles in water as an alternative medium for making useful molecules." (Chemistry, PhD)
What are you particularly proud of accomplishing in your life?: "My father is a farmer and my mother works at a textile shop.... I completed my Master of Science...at Mahatma Gandhi University in 2017. In 2016, I got selected for the prestigious S.N. Bose fellowship...and as a part of this, I got an opportunity to do a research project on Copper Hydride Chemistry at Juniata College, Pennsylvania under the guidance of Dr. John Unger. In 2017, I received the Bronze Beaver Award at the National Science Film Festival for directing a short film on climate change...Being a student from a family of limited income, all these achievements were beyond my dreams."
Congratulations Melvin!
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