Beauty Chabuka

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

I’m inspired by the idea that my work can spark curiosity and motivate others to chase their own goals. FSU stands out to me because of its strong culture of collaboration, where learning from passionate faculty and peers is part of everyday life. Being in an environment that values growth, innovation, and community makes it the ideal place to keep learning and inspiring others. Plus, studying in the Sunshine State is an energizing change from the long, cold winters of Idaho.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

Using computational chemistry, I am focusing on uncovering reactivity patterns where electrons act like a catalyst. This is important because it can make building complex molecules faster, less wasteful, and more sustainable for real-world applications. By predicting which reactions will work before going into the lab, I hope to reduce time-consuming experimental design and help chemists to focus on the most promising and creative ideas.

Career aspirations

My long-term career goal is to become a computational chemist in industry, focusing on drug discovery to develop life-saving therapies or tackling environmental challenges like microplastics degradation.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Just get started on your graduate school journey—it flies by faster than you think, especially when you surround yourself with a strong community of family, friends and colleagues who cheer you on and make the grind feel like an adventure. Lean into those relationships early, they'll be your lifeline through late nights and tough experiments, turning challenges into shared triumphs.

Accomplishments during graduate career

Since joining the program, I have published 10 papers and presented my work at several conferences, which has strengthened both my communication and research skills. Volunteering as a poster judge at the Capital Regional Science and Engineering Fair and middle school science fair was an exciting way to give back to the community. It allowed me to inspire young students, and share my passion for science.