Meet Nickolas Martin— Featured Student for March 2016

Where are you from?

Norwood, MA

What school do you go to? What year are you?

Senior, University of Delaware

Do you hold any positions in your AIChE chapter or with AIChE nationally?

In addition to serving as student chapter president, I also represent AIChE nationally as a member of the Executive Student Committee (ESC). I am the current regional chair of the Mid-Atlantic Region, supervising seven regional liaisons. Furthermore, I am the current vice chair for the ESC, where I have the chance to work with 200+ domestic AIChE student chapters and over 50 international chapters.

Describe an event in your chapter that you are most proud to have been involved with.

Our chapter had the honor of welcoming Dr. Cheryl Teich, the current AIChE President, to one of our general body meetings this past semester. Cheryl is an extremely charismatic speaker, and the UD students were certainly receptive to her talk.

What are your plans after graduation? In what field are you most interested in having an impact?

Following graduation, I plan on working in industry and continuing to pursue my interests in the field of alternative energy technology . At UD, I have over three years' experience conducting research in the fields of solar energy and biomass transformation. Additionally, I have taken several classes related to sustainable energy technology and green engineering. There is so much potential in this market, and I am very excited to be at the forefront of it!

What is it about chemical engineering that you’re most passionate about?

I find myself most passionate about the versatility we have as chemical engineers to solve a variety of problems in the world. The National Academy of Engineering has identified the 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st century, and after looking through the list, I do not see how a chemical engineer could not be a vital contributor to each and every Grand Challenge.

How do you think your experience within your AIChE Student Chapter will impact your career and professional goals?

AIChE has helped me to see my own potential and has inspired me to be more than I ever thought was possible. As students, it is easy to see your own world as the whole world. However, being a part of AIChE can expand your horizons and help you see problems in an entirely different light. I truly believe that being a part of AIChE can make any chemical engineer, student or professional, a more well-rounded individual who sees the profession as a chance to make a difference. 

What are you studying that you think could change the world someday?

I took a class last year in solar cell technology. This technology, along with nuclear and wind, has the potential to completely change how the world consumes energy. We, as a society, need to continue to pay close to attention to what chemicals we emit into our air, soil, and water. Investing in this technology will certainly be a step in the right direction for preserving the health of our planet for years to come.

How do you think your experience within your AIChE Student Chapter will impact your career and professional goals?

Being involved in AIChE at the University of Delaware and at the national level has allowed me to network with other students, professors, and industry professionals from around the world. Learning about other people’s culture has always interested me, and with AIChE I have also gained insight into how people around the world use chemical engineering in their everyday lives. I plan on furthering this interest after graduation by following a career path that allows me to work on an international level and meet with people from around the world.

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How do you blow off steam and keep your sanity between classes, homework, and projects?

When the going gets tough, I turn to music. I have been playing the saxophone for over 12 years now, and it continues to be a huge stress reliever in my life.

Which of your undergraduate classes have you most enjoyed?

I took a class this past semester entitled “Engineering and the Environment.” I enjoyed it so much because it was taught by an experienced chemical engineering professional, who taught us the reality of what it means to work for an environmentally friendly corporation. We not only learned about the potential environmental concerns that exist in industry, but also how to solve them in manner that is good for both the business and environment.

How did you decide to pursue a degree in ChE?

Chemistry was my favorite subject in high school, and I knew I wanted to apply that understanding to solve real world problems. I was also interested in solar cell fabrication and biofuels research, and learned that receiving a degree in chemical engineering was my ticket to a career in this area.

What is the best kept secret on your campus?

Definitely Newark Deli & Bagels. It is the most crowded place on campus on Saturday and Sunday mornings, but it is hard to find breakfast sandwiches anywhere else that can compare.

What are you most looking forward to after graduation?

No homework or exams! There is way too much pressure associated with studying and test-taking, so it will be nice to put that behind me.

What will you be most saddened to leave behind at school when you move on?

It will be hard to leave behind all the free stuff (particularly food). If I tried hard enough, I do not think I would ever have to pay for a meal again on campus (there is always an event going on with free food).

What is the most unexpected thing you have been asked in an interview?

I was once asked, “Walk us through the engineering that goes into designing a catheter.” To be fair, I was interviewing for a medical company, but my knowledge in the field of catheters was (and still is) pretty limited.

Do you have any advice to incoming students and underclassmen ChEs around the world?

1) Be prepared to make assumptions.

2) Your 18 years of thinking will be challenged, but push through.

3) There are thousands of other chemical engineering students around the world going through just as rigorous a program as you (you are not alone).

If your initials (first/last or first/middle/last) stood for something other than your name, what would it be?

N.A.M.: Not A Machine. While my mind thinks I am invincible and can surive on no sleep, my body always tells me otherwise. Also, college has taught me that you cannot always be perfect, and accepting setbacks and other obstacles is a way of life.

How would you like to be involved with AIChE after graduation?

Following graduation, I plan on becoming involved with my local professional section as well as the Young Professionals Committee. I also am interested in joining a division, such as the Environmental Division or Transport and Energy Processes Division.

You can reach Martin through his LinkedIn account.