Meet Will Choi. Choi is a second year Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Material Science & Nanoengineering at Rice University. Choi is from South Korea and is a Rice Graduate Ambassador. Ambassadors are students who represent the university and help prospective students gain knowledge of student life as a graduate student at Rice.
Choi chose Rice as a graduate school because of his passion for research and the diverse environment. His research focuses on developing more efficient synthesis methods for the next generation materials, including but not limited to semiconductors, ferroelectric/thermoelectric materials, and catalysts. He is also using Rice’s scanning electron microscope to study how atoms behave. “I am basically a chef that cares about my ingredients to the atomic level,” said Choi.
When he is not conducting research, he is serving in various leadership roles within the Rice community. He is a part of the Korean Graduate Student Association (KGSA) on campus.
Choi advises prospective students to be sure of the goals they have set to achieve in their life before committing to any graduate program.
“Being a graduate student is a big commitment,” said Choi. “You have to rely on internal inspiration and not external expectations to have this experience as a whole.”
Choi advises current students to use the resources that are available to them on campus and to find a balance between doing research and leisure.
“There is help out there,” said Choi. “Reach out for help and also have fun during this time.”
Outside of academics, Choi enjoys going to the opera and orchestras at The Shepherd School of Music. Choi used to work for the Agency of Defense Development and researched next generation batteries for missiles.
Graduate ambassadors can be contacted via email at gradambassadors@rice.edu. Will Choi can be contacted directly by email at cc140@rice.edu.