Graduate Will Hughes turns his passion for chemistry into an opportunity to see the world

What attracted you to chemistry?

WH: I have always been more of a "learn and apply rules" student rather than a "memorize facts" student. Chemistry, specifically physical and computational chemistry, allows me to follow this mindset while fulfilling my interest in studying how the world works. The research I am interested in is a few steps upstream of directly impacting health care. To be able to prescribe drugs, we need to be able to create the molecules. To be able to create the molecules, we need to have a powerful and diverse array of tools. To be able to develop these tools, we need to understand our current tools better.

In chemistry, our tools are reactions, and I want to help the world understand them. This will have an impact on health care through a domino effect and in other realms where chemistry is important such as agriculture, materials and manufacturing, cosmetics, food and other industries.

Tell us about the person who was most influential in your educational journey.

WH: Dr.Gail Taylor, the assistant program director for the Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement at UTSA, had a profound impact on my education. She convinced me that research was a viable career option for me. She also gave me the skills and knowledge I needed to excel in research as an undergraduate.

What advice do you have for your fellow Roadrunners?

WH: There are so many resources on campus for internships, research, networking, mentorship and professional development opportunities. Look around at what best fits your needs and take advantage of the resources UTSA provides. I took advantage of the cooking classes and the exercise facilities at the UTSA Recreation and Wellness Center, counseling services, tutoring through the Tomás Rivera Center, and met with faculty in my field who were always happy to give academic and career advice.

What is your next big adventure?

WH: I will begin a Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry at CSU in the fall. CSU has a great organic chemistry program with several accomplished faculty and an impressive set of instruments that anyone in the department can use. There are a few researchers who have done highly impactful work in computational chemistry, the field I am interested in, and I am excited to get to work for and learn from these faculty members. Fort Collins is also a beautiful town with a vibrant and interesting culture, and I will be happy to see snow for the first time in a few years. I am probably most excited to continue researching, learning more about chemistry, and contributing to scientific knowledge, as I really love what I do. A cross-country move is significant for me, as I have only ever lived in Texas, and leaving behind my family will be the hardest part of this next step in my adventure.

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