Author: Adiki Puplampu
Date: 10 March 2025
A recent high school graduate, Albert Onyedika was interested in using his last summer before university to put some experience on his resume. He specifically wanted lab experience before starting his first year in the University of Alberta engineering program. Albert had two goals for the summer: first to get exposure to lab processes and second to make connections with peers and potential mentors before the start of the school year.
Over the summer, Albert achieved both of these goals working in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Alberta. Interning in Dr. Michael Serpe’s lab, Albert worked with a graduate student on a project focused on measuring bacteria concentration. The grad student Albert worked with gave him the opportunity to work directly on sections of the project work plan. Through this working relationship, which Albert describes as “independently together,” he was able to develop personal confidence and independence in the lab while being well-supported by his lab-mate.
The research Albert supported over the summer contributes to a body of work devoted to exploring how to eliminate certain bacteria from everyday food items like fruits and cereals. In the lab, Albert learned first hand how much work goes into developing quality research outputs and he gained an appreciation for the critical thinking skills involved in coming up with solutions to research problems. His experience in the lab made a career in research feel like a more tangible pursuit and he leaves with skills that will serve him as he embarks upon this new phase of his academic career.
Having the opportunity to connect with his peers at ELITE Program technical presentation and entrepreneurship design workshops and other events gave Albert the opportunity to achieve his second goal. He left the program with new friends and looks forward to seeing familiar faces in the hallways over the school year.
“It was really fun getting to know a lot of different people, even in the entrepreneurship program,” Albert says.
As for his future career, Albert is still exploring his options but he’d like to do work that’s hands-on and involves both chemical and materials engineering. We wish Albert the best of luck with his studies!