PhD in Chemistry

Elizabeth Cote was drawn to UMass Amherst for its collaborative spirit and easy access to high-tech research facilities. What caught her eye was the inorganic chemistry faculty, particularly their focus on materials discovery and sustainability. The kind of work being done there felt meaningful and aligned with her own goals.

Since arriving, she’s made full use of the university’s state-of-the-art facilities. She frequently works in the Nanofabrication Clean Room and the Advanced Digital Design and Fabrication (ADDFab) facility. “These resources make it much easier to access advanced equipment right here on campus,” Cote says. “The staff provide full training, which means I don’t need to send my samples elsewhere or travel to other labs.”

Beyond the lab, Cote appreciates the professional support system on campus. The Office for Professional Development (OPD) runs hundreds of events annually. She’s also been part of the APDC, a student-run organisation, for the past three years, gaining industry connections and learning to work with people from diverse backgrounds.