Greg Cooksey
Alumni Spotlight: October 2021
KU Major: Electrical Engineering
Graduation year: 1999
Current occupation: Biomedical Engineer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Research mentor(s): Robert Dunn
Describe the undergraduate research/creative experience that you had while at KU: I had a wonderful introduction to scientific research and technology development in Dr. Dunn's lab in the chemistry department. I got to build things and to try to creatively solve problems. Within the chemistry department, through REU, and with help from the honors program, I got to interact with many great mentors, graduate students, and my future peer scientists.
Q: What did your research or creative project look like on a day-to-day basis? What did you spend most of your time doing?
A: I spent a lot of time trying to make an apparatus that could control the shape of optical fibers and micropipettes. Later, I learned to use those devices to conduct microscopy and patch clamp experiments on biological samples. I also shadowed several graduate students and learned a lot about their different projects and research approaches.
Q: What do you think was the most important thing you learned while doing undergraduate research?
A: The most important skill I learned was how to engage with others in the scientific profession. Relatedly, I learned to find ways to bring my unique skill set and creativity to address a larger problem in my project, team, or field.
Q: Do you use any of the skills or perspectives gained doing research in your current occupation? How so?
A: I use these skills every day as a professional scientist and engineer!
Q: Many undergraduate researchers are making decisions about what to do after they graduate from KU. Having been in those shoes, what do you know now that you wish you’d known then? Do you have any advice?
A: Be engaged -- ask lots of questions and build a strong network. Find projects that you are interested in and find a way to make an impact.
To learn more about doing summer undergraduate research with Dr. Cooksey and others at NIST, read about the NIST SURF Program.