Pamela Knoll

Why FSU?

I chose FSU for the opportunity to work with Professor Oliver Steinbock. He is a leader in the field of nonlinear chemical dynamics, which blends chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Along with the excellent institutional resources, FSU provides the opportunity to collaborate with international experts in areas ranging from geology and astrobiology to chemical engineering, theoretical physics, and applied mathematics.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

When I first enrolled in college I was unsure of what to pursue. However, I remember loving chemistry in high school and used this as a launching point. It was not until I spoke with my general chemistry professor that I considered graduate school in chemistry, as she strongly encouraged me to consider this route. I started research as an undergraduate and was given my own project under the supervision of a graduate student. We went on to publish two research articles together, and I was hooked. The creativity, freedom, and challenges that research offers led me to the conclusion that this is the career I wanted to pursue. Graduate school has reinforced this belief, and the excitement continues with each project.

Importance and impact of research

My work focuses on the crystallization of lifelike microstructures known as biomorphs. A deeper understanding of their growth mechanism can revolutionize our approach to micro-engineering by using nature-inspired, bottom-up assembly. The smooth contours of biomorphs have also influenced the use of morphology for the classification of microfossils by challenging the long-held belief that only living systems can create smoothly curved structures. Recent studies demonstrate medical purposes for these architectures. Biomorphs have been incorporated with bioactive glass and have demonstrated enhanced regeneration of bone defects.

Career aspirations

My goal is to become a professor at a research institution.

Advice for prospective graduate students

Graduate school consists of long days, tedious work, and many disappointing results. With that said, you have to love what you do. Your passion for what you are studying completely transforms the experience into a desire to stay long hours at work because of your need to address unresolved results.

Accomplishments during graduate career

I am honored to be a recipient of the Fulbright and an NSF Graduate Research Fellow. The NSF award has given me the opportunity to focus on my research, family, and community. Each year I participate in several outreach events, such as the annual Filipino Festival and Tallahassee Science Festival. As the president of the ChemiNoles Graduate Student Association, I am able to incorporate these events into the organization in hopes that future graduate students continue to provide these science demonstration booths long after I graduate. In addition, I created the Women in STEM Seminar Series. This event highlights the work of women in STEM fields from the graduate level to professors and also includes scientists outside of FSU to inform undergraduates about different available paths in STEM fields. Throughout my graduate career, I have published four research articles in peer-reviewed journals. This past summer I was elected to chair the upcoming Oscillations and Dynamic Instabilities in Chemical Systems Gordon Research Seminar, an international conference that gathers top scientists in the field of nonlinear dynamics.