Fellow Spotlight: Philip Kukielski
Posted March 9, 2023
Philip Kukielski
Visiting Research Fellow, July 2022 - March 2023
How would you describe your fellowship experience at NCERC?
I would describe NCERC as one of the best decisions of my life. I’ve spent almost a decade in the workforce in different occupations and it’s safe to say that NCERC is unlike anything else. Not only can you acquire career-changing experience but nowhere else have I found people that are as “in it” for you as they are here. The people really do define NCERC. They go above and beyond to prepare you for the next step in your career and when I leave I will always be appreciative of what they have taught me and the experiences I had along the way.
What was your favorite assignment during your 9-month fellowship?
I think my favorite assignment during my fellowship was researching the impact of yeast biomass on AC sample testing for RINs application. Not only was it a fascinating hands-on process where I learned a multitude of procedural applications, but it also ended in a presentation at the Fuel Ethanol Lab Conference given by my supervisor Dr. Yanhong Zhang. Attending the Ethanol Lab Conference was unlike anything I’ve ever done and I had a wonderful time learning about all of the different developments in the ethanol industry.
Would you recommend the fellowship program to another scientist?
I would absolutely recommend this fellowship program to any current or aspiring scientists. Nowhere else will you find the preparation needed for a lifelong career in your field. Nowhere else will you have real world experiences and opportunities readily available to you on a daily basis. And nowhere else will you find people who will take your learning as seriously or as patiently as the people of NCERC.
About the Fellowship Program:
The Visiting Research Fellowship and Postdoctoral Research Fellowship programs are an unrivaled learning opportunity for recent graduates of a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD program who are interested in pursuing a career in research in the bioeconomy. Fellows work under the guidance of two supervisors who provide them with the technical expertise needed to thrive in their research environments and the leadership skills they need to ramp up the trajectory of their careers. This joint supervisory model ensures the connection of theory to practice and builds upon the Fellow’s academic degree through applied, hands-on learning in an industrial setting. This program is designed to prepare the next generation of engineers and scientists for work in high-skill jobs in the bioeconomy. Learn more on our Workforce Training & Education webpage!
