{"id":7135,"date":"2017-06-15T13:26:33","date_gmt":"2017-06-15T20:26:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/?p=7135"},"modified":"2018-02-08T15:29:46","modified_gmt":"2018-02-08T23:29:46","slug":"journey-master-physical-chemistry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/2017\/06\/journey-master-physical-chemistry\/","title":{"rendered":"A journey to master physical chemistry"},"content":{"rendered":"

Patrons at the popular Caf\u00e9 Yumm! near campus enjoy their food with biodegradable plastic silverware developed in an OSU lab by chemistry major Jason Sandwisch.<\/p>\n

Plastic and plant may sound like antithetical materials. However, for the last few years plant-based biopolymers have been emerging as the new building blocks of plastic. Sandwisch, who will soon begin a PhD in chemistry at the University of Washington, hasn\u2019t yet met a chemistry problem that doesn\u2019t inspire him to seek a solution.<\/p>\n

Chris Vitello, the CEO of EcNow Tech <\/a>approached Sandwisch\u2019s research mentor Dr. John Simonsen<\/a> in the Department of Wood and Engineering with the problem of manufacturing biodegradable plastic utensils from plants. Wondering if it could be done, Simonsen instructed Sandwisch to look for the right chemical formula. Within its offices in Corvallis and Albany, EcNow Tech develops and markets recycled, reusable and compostable products for events, consumers and businesses.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Simonsen\u2019s approach is to say, \u2018Here is a problem. Run with it.\u2019 He has graduate students who work on similarly difficult problems. Really being able to dive into research and contribute has taught me a lot,” said Sandwisch.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Working as a research assistant in Simonsen\u2019s lab and as a chemical engineering intern in EcNow Tech, Sandwisch used an industrial grade extruder to make the plant-based material in the lab. He then plunged into the arduous and exciting process of implementing design and putting together the industrial grade production line in EcNow Tech to ensure that the manufacturing process made the same blend of organic polymers that was produced in the lab. Finally, the material was put into a machine to churn out biodegradable plastic bottles and utensils.<\/p>\n

In his own department, Jason has proven himself to be a physical chemistry whiz after conducting in-depth research in four different labs, co-authoring articles for publication and excelling in the toughest and most advanced graduate-level physical chemistry courses.<\/p>\n

He is receiving recognition at the national-level for his talents in physical chemistry. Sandwisch won the American Chemical Society\u2019s 2017 inaugural undergraduate award in physical chemistry for which he was nominated by Associate Professor of Chemistry\u00a0Chong Fang<\/a>. Sandwisch is an undergraduate research assistant in Fang\u2019s laboratory where he conducts ultrafast laser spectroscopy experiments on condensed phased proteins and small molecules of interest.<\/p>\n

\u201cJason is a talented student who embraces a challenging subject with passion and diligence. From quantum chemistry classes to molecular spectroscopy research in several labs including mine, he has shown a sharp focus and clear goals from early on, which led to his excellent grades and many other achievements,\u201d noted Fang.<\/p>\n

At OSU, Jason has received numerous awards for his academic performance, including the Merrill Family Foundation and the Jesse Hanson Scholarships.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Jason with Chemistry Professor Emeritus Ken Hedberg.<\/p><\/div>\n

Sandwisch has benefited from the rare experience of being mentored by two of the most experienced chemistry professors at OSU\u2014Ken Hedberg<\/a> and Joseph Nibler<\/a>. He learned advanced electron diffraction methods in the lab of 96-year-old professor emeritus Hedberg, who is an expert in the area of molecular structure and intramolecular dynamics.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Hedberg loves what he does. Even after 60 years of research he comes in excited and upbeat about work every day. Work is his hobby. He has shown me work doesn\u2019t have to be work,\u201d said Sandwisch.<\/p>\n

He got his first taste of spectroscopy techniques and research\u2014a seminal sub-discipline of physical chemistry\u2014while assisting Nibler on a project. Nibler, who has taught chemistry for nearly five decades, has inspired Sandwisch with his pedagogical advice and vast knowledge of spectroscopy research.<\/p>\n

Sandwisch’s passion for physical chemistry research stems not just from his lab experiments, but also from the countless conversations he has enjoyed with Hedberg and Nibler \u201cabout all things to do with physical chemistry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTalking with two great mentors and researchers has been really special. It has influenced me and molded me into someone who can handle challenges in physical chemistry and quantum chemistry,\u201d explained Sandwisch.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Sandwisch is grateful to his science mentors for instilling in him a love for science within a completely supportive environment. \u201cI think they pushed me to get the best out of me. But I never felt pressured or overwhelmed by all the research,\u201d observed Sandwisch. As an undergraduate, he quickly found that research constituted critical thinking, trouble-shooting and a lot of hands-on work that made science truly enjoyable. \u201cI found myself wanting to do the work, wanting to get results and understand what was going on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thanks to his extraordinary learning experiences at OSU, Sandwisch has acquired an abiding love for physical chemistry, a subject whose beauty and power he will continue to explore in graduate school and beyond.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Patrons at Caf\u00e9 Yumm! near campus enjoy their food with biodegradable plastic silverware developed in an OSU lab by chemistry senior Jason Sandwisch (’17).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6617,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[640793,1168293,911],"tags":[648365,127229,37185,156246],"class_list":["post-7135","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ch","category-student-success","category-students","tag-author-srila-nayak","tag-career","tag-stem","tag-student-success"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6vHeb-1R5","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7344,"url":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/2017\/06\/the-class-of-2017\/","url_meta":{"origin":7135,"position":0},"title":"The Class of 2017","author":"nayaks","date":"June 20, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"The College graduated a record 629 students with baccalaureate degrees, 64 master's and 66 doctoral students in 2016-17.","rel":"","context":"In "Biochemistry & Biophysics"","block_context":{"text":"Biochemistry & Biophysics","link":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/category\/departments\/bb\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/files\/2017\/06\/Shan-Lansing_lab-shot_thumb-225x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":11665,"url":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/2019\/08\/college-of-science-faculty-honored-in-ecampus-awards\/","url_meta":{"origin":7135,"position":1},"title":"Faculty honored for making chemistry accessible online","author":"cissnat","date":"August 8, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Last May, Chemistry Department Head Mike Lerner and Instructor Marita Barth received prestigious Oregon State\u2019s Ecampus awards.","rel":"","context":"In "Chemistry"","block_context":{"text":"Chemistry","link":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/category\/departments\/ch\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Photo of Mike Lerner","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/2121\/files\/2019\/08\/Mike-Lerner.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5312,"url":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/2017\/01\/online-learning-innovations-bringing-science-world\/","url_meta":{"origin":7135,"position":2},"title":"Online learning innovations: Bringing science to the world","author":"farrisd","date":"January 19, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"For more than 15 years, the College has pioneered online chemistry courses that have proven popular among students, providing access to courses previously unavailable.","rel":"","context":"In "Chemistry"","block_context":{"text":"Chemistry","link":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/category\/departments\/ch\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":6230,"url":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/2017\/03\/chemistry-student-highlights-value-research\/","url_meta":{"origin":7135,"position":3},"title":"Chemistry student praises value of research","author":"nayaks","date":"March 16, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Senior Collin Nicholas Muniz from Portland, Oregon, has a voracious appetite for science.","rel":"","context":"In "Chemistry"","block_context":{"text":"Chemistry","link":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/category\/departments\/ch\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":965,"url":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/2014\/04\/what-can-you-do-with-a-science-degree\/","url_meta":{"origin":7135,"position":4},"title":"What can you do with a Science Degree?","author":"Sharon","date":"April 29, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Oregon State University Chemistry alumna Dr. Karen Nickel discussed the many uses of a science degree from clinical chemistry and biochemical genetics to molecular diagnostics.","rel":"","context":"In "Alumni and Friends"","block_context":{"text":"Alumni and Friends","link":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/category\/people\/alumni-and-friends\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Oregon State University Chemistry alumna Dr. Karen Nickel ","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/files\/2015\/04\/karen-nickel.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8851,"url":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/2018\/02\/celebrating-excellence-winter-2018-teaching-advising-awards\/","url_meta":{"origin":7135,"position":5},"title":"Celebrating excellence: 2018 teaching and advising awards","author":"nayaks","date":"February 28, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Exceptional teachers and advisors honored at the Winter 2018 Teaching and Advising Awards in the College of Science.","rel":"","context":"In "Biochemistry & Biophysics"","block_context":{"text":"Biochemistry & Biophysics","link":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/category\/departments\/bb\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/2121\/files\/2018\/02\/20180222_CoS_Dignitaries_HO-8248-225x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/2121\/files\/2018\/02\/20180222_CoS_Dignitaries_HO-8248-225x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/2121\/files\/2018\/02\/20180222_CoS_Dignitaries_HO-8248-225x150.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/2121\/files\/2018\/02\/20180222_CoS_Dignitaries_HO-8248-225x150.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/2121\/files\/2018\/02\/20180222_CoS_Dignitaries_HO-8248-225x150.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7135","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6617"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7135"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7135\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8781,"href":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7135\/revisions\/8781"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7135"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7135"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7135"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}