Q: What surprised you about doing research?

A: It takes a lot more focus than I expected. There are no grades or deadlines, so it's sometimes hard to stay on track.

Q: What do you like most about your research?

A: It's quite fulfilling to accomplish things - even small steps. In normal courses, the information you're writing down in your notes has been learned and repeated by many others. But that's not the case with research, so it's exciting.

Q: What advice would you give to a friend wanting to get involved in research?

A: I would say to first find a good mentor (I would be nowhere without mine). It would also be ideal to choose a project of interest to you, so that you will actually want to work on it and make progress.

Q: How do you spend your time when you're not working on your research?

A: Besides homework and studying, I spend most of my time reading, drawing, and playing video games. I also enjoy making and decorating cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and other sweets.