Big news

After D. graduated from college last spring his plan was to get a job, work for a year, and apply to grad schools. And he did all that. He and P. have been sharing an apartment in Chicago, and D. spent the fall applying to grad schools. After the new year, the response letters started to arrive. As is usual in the school application game, some were acceptances and some were rejections, but he had enough acceptances that he needed to choose between them. He went to each school tour and then had to make his decision. 

A couple of the schools were in Chicago, and while we would love to have him here, I think he made a very good decision. I'm very happy to share that in August D. will be heading off to Troy, New York to start a PhD program in chemistry at Rennselear Polytechnic Institute. We are thrilled for him and extremely proud of his achievements. We are also going to miss him terribly being so far away. 

I know everyone always asks what kind of chemistry he wants to do. It's a question I've asked him many times because the answer just will not stick in my head. So I asked him (again) what area he wants to work in and now I have it all written out. I'll let D. tell you in his own words. 

<<Prebiotic chemistry/astrobiology. The research niche I’m aiming for is the emergence of biomolecules and protobiological systems from an abiotic environment. More specifically, the lab I’ll probably join studies the organic chemistry in early earth hydrothermal environments.>>

So now you know as much as I do. It does sound impressive, though doesn't it? 

And I have to admit that a thought that occurred to me was that he will be living about an hour away from Rhinebeck, NY. For those not living in the fiber world, Rhinebeck is the site of the yearly New York Sheep and Wool Festival, which is kind of a yearly fiber mecca. D., you'll want to come look at a lot of sheep and fiber with me, right??