My time in Birmingham was very busy. When I arrived the lab was in boxes, so my first months were spent unpacking, assembling, calibrating, and testing all the instruments for electrochemistry, thermopower, and nanopore.

I also took on the role of lab manager and safety officer. I organized a materials database and ordering system.

It was very rewarding to work with each of the PhD and masters students. I helped troubleshoot nanopore obstacles as well as electrochemistry.