PME welcomes new graduate students

Monday, September 20 marked the beginning of orientation week for the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering’s (PME) newest class of graduate students. Sixty-six new graduate students spent the week learning about Pritzker Molecular Engineering and discussing research opportunities with PME faculty.

Matthew Tirrell, dean of Pritzker Molecular Engineering, welcomed the new cohort Monday morning and encouraged them to take advantage of the school’s dynamic collaborative structure.

“In joining PME, you’ve become part of a growing organization that’s expanding the boundaries of science and engineering,” Tirrell said. “Here you will join a community of innovative, curious, and driven students, postdocs, and faculty who are focused on making advancements in some of today’s most exciting fields of research.”

Following the dean’s welcome, students were given an overview of PME and learned about resources provided to graduate students. New students also spent the week learning about the research being conducted at PME during a series of faculty-led match talks, as well as more informal meetings with lab groups.

Other orientation activities included a PhD open house, a poster session, a scavenger hunt, a Chicago architecture boat tour, and UChicago’s university-wide convocation.

Distinct to the 2021-2022 orientation was the inclusion of graduate students who were admitted in the previous year but, because of Covid-19, were not able to attend a traditional admitted students or orientation week.

Paul Nealey, Brady W. Dougan Professor of Molecular Engineering and vice dean for education and outreach, also spoke to the new cohort.

“I’d like to welcome each of you to PME and encourage you to think about what you’d like to achieve during your time here,” Nealey said. “We’re here to support you on your educational journey and we look forward to working with you and seeing your knowledge and skills grow.”