Women In Science: Alexie Kolpak
Alexie Kolpak is a senior at the University of Pennsylvania. She is in a special four year program that allows her to work towards her undergraduate and master's degrees in biochemistry. In addition to her classwork, Alexie does research over the summer.
Alexie thinks it is great being a female scientist. She believes scientist should have currant qualities, such as discipline, good communication, and the ability to balance work and fun. In her free time she paints, reads and draws. She also takes classes on Existentialism and Ancient Roman History.
Alexie was raised in the suburbs surrounding Philadelphia. As a teenager, she was involved in ice skating and hockey as well as academic activities.Her father was a chemist. He had lots of personal and professional qualities that helped pointed Alexie towards a career in science.
Alexie was accepted to all of the colleges she applied to, including such distinguished facilities as Cornell and Princeton, but decided to go to the University of Pennsylvania. She enjoys the University because she has lots of opportunities in the city. Alexie also likes that she can always meet people who have similar or different interests then her own.
Before college Alexie wanted to be a doctor. After entering school, she changed her mind and focused more on research. One teacher that influenced that decision was Professor Andrew Rappe. He was Alexie's quantum chemistry teacher. She still works in his lab today. Alexie also credits her physical chemistry and biochemistry teachers for increasing her love of science.
Presently, Alexie is working on solid bifeo three crystal structures. She has found that they have unique properties. Alexie works in groups or pairs. She creates theories and the other members of her group does experiments to test her theories. Alexie does not have to deal with many ethical issues in her research.
In the future, Alexie hopes to continue her education. She is considering going to a school on the West Coast. When she finishes school, she hopes to get a job that allows her to have the flexibility to do research and application science.