Grad Student Profile: Rachael Rice

Rachael Rice arrived at NC State ready to turn curiosity into impact. After a liberal arts chemistry degree at Lewis & Clark — where she balanced lab work, gold-capped nanoparticle research and collegiate tennis — she explored teaching in France and sharpened her instrumentation skills in Portland’s semiconductor industry. That hands-on experience led her to the Wilson College of Textiles, where her master’s focus in textile chemistry bridges a longtime passion for polymers with real-world safety. In Dr. Bryan Ormond’s TPACC lab, Rachael applies ICP-MS and GC-MS analysis to study how lithium-ion battery fires can contaminate firefighter turnout gear, collaborating with teammates and first responders to translate data into protection. In just one semester, she’s found a community, a purpose and a path forward — proving that rigorous science, shared expertise and service to others can move the needle where it matters most.

Tell us about your journey to graduate school and what led you to NC State.
My undergraduate degree in chemistry came from Lewis & Clark College, a small liberal arts college in Portland, Oregon. From this experience, I  felt that I got a well rounded education, as I was able to pursue classes in the sciences, arts, and also play collegiate level tennis. I was also able to do a summer research program where I looked at the stability of gold-capped nano particles under solar irradiation. Although I loved my undergraduate experience, I knew if I wanted to go back to school, it would be at a bigger school with more research opportunities. However, my path to graduate school was not linear. Right after my undergraduate degree, I was unsure if I wanted to continue in science, so I moved to France to work as a teaching assistant. It was a wonderful experience in which I learned a lot about another culture,  connected with my students, and learned that I really enjoy helping others learn and explore their passions/curiosities. I next moved back to the United States and worked in the semiconductor industry as a lab technician at Kanto Corporation in Portland, Oregon. In the role, I was encouraged and pushed in my lab work skills, and found that analytical chemistry and instrumentation was something I really enjoyed. After I gained experience and confidence in myself through working in industry, I decided to come back to school to gain more knowledge in textile chemistry and shift the focus of my career. I have always been passionate about polymer chemistry and the textile industry, and I found that NC State had the perfect program for me to further my knowledge in this area, while still using the skills that I had gained in my previous work and undergraduate experiences.

Tell us about your research
My research experience has been with Dr. Bryan Ormond in TPACC. He originally brought me in as I have experience working with the instrumentation being used in the Lithium-Ion battery project. This project has been focused on testing firefighter turnout gear for contamination from Lithium ion battery fires through gear sent by fire stations and small scale live burns. The gear is acid digested and analyzed using ICP-MS and GC-MS instrumentation. This experience has been amazing as I have had the opportunity to collaborate with other members of the research group who have a lot of knowledge in personal protective clothing, while I bring my analytical skills to the table. I have already learned so much about this area of research in just a semester, while also forming a great community with other members of my group. I have also gotten to work with firefighters and hear their experiences which is even gives even more motivation behind why our research is important. i have always said that I want to do work that make an impact on our world, and I truly believe the research being done in TPACC is being done to help firefighters stay as safe as possible. We need work like this to be done, and I’m proud to be a part of it!

How has your semester been thus far and is graduate school what you expected?
I was not expecting to find such a community of professors, classmates, and colleagues who have been so welcoming and supportive of my journey in graduate school. Professors are always willing to answer all my questions (and I have a lot!), along with my colleagues, when I first started working in the lab. Everyone says hello to each other in the hallways, and I feel a real sense of belonging. I have also found my classes to be extremely well taught and thought-provoking. The professors are clearly experts in their areas and disseminate knowledge extremely well. My lab is full of students and postdocs who are bright and motivated to make changes for the better in this world. I have also found my classmates to have varying interests, which can lead to interesting conversations and even spark new ideas.

What does being an NC State graduate student mean to you?
Being an NC State student means to me taking pride in the work that you are doing individually, as it contributes to our community as a whole. Being a graduate student is pluralistic; you are going to class while also doing research, making professional and personal connections, having fun, and simultaneously feeling overwhelmed. NC State provides you with the community, resources, and opportunities to further yourself personally, academically, and professionally.

What advice do you have for new or current graduate students?
My advice for new or current students is to go for it! Reach out to that professor if their work is interesting to you, even if you think they won’t respond. You might just get a research assistantship out of it! Take classes that you want to, not just the ones you think you should. Talk to classmates about their research; there is always room for collaboration. I think a lot of people hold themselves back more than they think. This is such a critical opportunity and time for self-growth; there is no reason not to push what you think is possible. In my experience at NC State, reaching out to people or putting myself out there has resulted in forming new connections and opportunities that I didn’t even know were possible.

How has the Graduate School and/or NC State helped you with your professional development?
The graduate school has provided useful resources with career development as I have been in to work with the director of career services on internships and resume work, done research for career fairs, and have attended TAGS meetings. I also plan to attend multiple conferences and put out publications in the coming semesters. All of this is extremely important to my career development as NC State has allowed me to connect with potential future employers and build up my resume with research.

Tell us something interesting about you.
In my free time I love to go salsa dancing.

Learn more about the Textile Chemistry program

This post was originally published in The Graduate School News.