In this series, we learn more about what inspired our talented graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, what brought them to their field of study, and the questions that drive their work as part of the Wisconsin Energy Institute and Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center. Grace Gooley is a senior at the University of Wisconsin–Madison majoring in chemistry and environmental studies. She’s working on her senior thesis in the Ive Hermans lab, where research focuses on the sustainable synthesis of chemicals using catalysts with the goal of producing commercial compounds in ways that generate less waste, consume less energy, or emit less greenhouse gases than existing techniques.
What first drew you to work in sustainability?
During freshman year I took a sort of weather 101 class, and on the last day it was 65 degrees in December. I wore shorts. Learning about climate change and seeing it right there made me realize this is 100% what I want to do. Before college, I kind of thought climate change was like something that would maybe happen. I didn't realize it was happening now, and we need to do something now. I think as soon as I realized that, it just made me really want to be involved in sustainability.
What are you researching right now?
I am working on oxidation of decane, a chain of carbon atoms that can be used to model polyethylene plastic in the lab. The goal is to be able to apply oxidation of decane to chemical recycling of low density and high density polyethylene. The process uses chemicals to break down the plastic into smaller chemicals that can be then used to create other things. For example, carboxylic acids are really important in industry; you can make other chemicals and plastics with them.
As the only undergraduate in this lab, what would you recommend to other undergraduates who want to get into the research?
Go to the chemistry website and look at all the professors, because you can see what everyone is working on there. And more generally, just meet with professors and grad students. Just reaching out to the grad students in the lab, being like, ‘Hey, I'm really interested in what you're doing. I’d love to learn more,’ is such a good way to be introduced to all the different projects on campus. I've talked to a ton of grad students, and I’ve learned about so many different projects that are going on that I didn't know existed.
Do you have plans for next year?
I’m applying to grad school right now. Ideally, that’s what I’m doing. I’d like to study something sustainability related. I'm looking at chemical oceanography.
What do you do outside of research?
I’m on an intramural volleyball team, I play piano. Jazz, not classical. I’ve been playing since second grade, but realistically I don’t have much free time because I’m always doing homework. I like listening to PowFu and low-fi rap music.
I heard you were part of a papermaking project, can you tell me about that?
Paper making on library mall is put on by Holding History, which is an org on campus that focuses on bringing history to students. It’s an annual event that focuses on Western style paper. The idea is that people can just walk up and do it. You start with pulp, which is just ground up linen – old sheets and stuff. We used water from Lake Mendota, which was super cool, and all the linens were old curtains. Then you have a screen that you dip under the water, and you pull it up, and all the pulpy water mix lays on the top. You shake it a little bit, and then you just let it dry. And that's your sheet of paper.
How were you involved in this project?
This year I’m one of the lead ambassadors at the Nelson Institute, so I was more in charge of the planning. There's going to be an art installation in Science Hall in the spring using paper that was made, and I'll be helping with that part too.
What part of your work sparks the most joy in you?
Just the idea that I could actually help with the plastic crisis and pollution. Even if it doesn’t work, at least I’m trying something.
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