My name is Benjamin Howard and I am a first year graduate student in the Chemistry program at RPI.. I began my STEM career in North Carolina and attained a Bachelors of Science in both Biology and Chemistry. The impetus of my passion for science, specifically chemistry, is grounded in my curious nature that was evident in my youth. I decided to pursue a career in STEM out of my fascination with medicine and have yet to look back. Though moving from another institution in a different state was a great step in life, my short time in Troy has provided a great community and a wealth of knowledgeable resources and healthy learning spaces within the Institute itself. The sense of collaboration within the program is incomparable and the academic caliber is rigorous, yet insightful, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Holistically, this environment has allowed me to call it home and have a zest for pursuing my PhD in Chemistry.