Student Perspectives
Wesley Chiang
Research Group: Krauss Lab
Why did you choose Rochester for Graduate School?
I chose to move to Rochester because I thought it would be exciting to experience all four seasons (yes, even the winter)! During my undergraduate career, I had also cited some papers from my current research adviser and didn’t want to miss the opportunity to work with him. U of R and the city itself has a rich history in optical sciences, which bridges into my current research focus and I hoped that moving here would provide me a great multi-disciplinary training experience.
What do you enjoy most about the Program?
I really enjoy the amount of interaction with the other students as well as faculty throughout the coursework and other opportunities in the program. This allows us all to build a very strong professional and personal connection with one another.
What are your favorite things to do in Rochester/surrounding area?
Year-round, I enjoy going to the Public Market (an indoor + outdoor farmer’s market in downtown Rochester) to buy fresh produce to help me cook my weekend themed meals! I try to pick a cuisine from a different culture or region of the world every month, and am able to find most of the ingredients I need at the Public Market (they even have a great little spice vendor). During the fall, catching the foliage change at one of the many available hiking trails within a 90 minute drive of the city is beautiful. During the winter, there’s an easy ski slope nearby, and the accessibility of driving/traveling to VT is great! During the spring and summer, the Finger Lake wineries are fun to visit. A drive to Toronto and/or Montreal are also very doable and are a fun little getaway!
Gabrielle Kosoy
Research Group: Miller Lab
Why did you choose Rochester for Graduate School?
I was excited about the research and the city. I wanted to do interdisciplinary work, which I found in all of my rotations in the biophysics program. I also wanted to be in a livable city, and in Rochester anywhere you want to go is 15 minutes or less by car or bike or your own legs.
What do you enjoy most about the Program?
My favorite part of the program is participating in Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) talks, they are always honest, sincere, and inspiring.
What are your favorite things to do in Rochester/surrounding area?
The best part of Rochester is the public market. The public market is where I run into old friends, the awesome post-doc in my lab, make new friends, buy local meats, fruits, veggies, and the best croissants and fresh bread.
Abhinav Mittal
Research Group: Matthews Lab
Why did you choose Rochester for Graduate School?
I worked in RNA structural bioinformatics for my master’s thesis in India before coming here. I was inclined to continue to work in similar area. U of R happens to be one of the best places to do RNA research. The Center for RNA Biology hosts expertise from CRISPR to crystallography. The prospect of doing computational research alongside experimentalists sealed the deal for me.
What do you enjoy most about the Program?
The scope of the program is expansive. It hosts faculty with a wide range of research interests from different departments. Students have many options; also, it hosts students from all over the world with varied academic backgrounds. The diversity and interdisciplinary nature of research make the whole experience enriching.
What are your favorite things to do in Rochester/surrounding area?
During summers, I like to go to Ontario Beach Park or Genesee Valley Park and play volleyball. I have also enjoyed musical concerts at Eastman School of Music (ESM). The tickets for ESM are available at a generous discount to U of R students. There are lots of decent bars and restaurants in Rochester and surrounding areas. Niagara Falls, Adirondacks, state parks and NYC are perfect weekend getaways.