SOP evaluation for PhD in Chemistry

[harshyjawale]

Hello friends, I would be grateful to anyone who can evaluate my SOP and leave their valuable suggestions or edits.

 

Statement of Purpose

 

Chemical reactions are ubiquitous.  When I typed this document, my muscles did a chemical reaction on sugars to give me the energy I needed. When you read this statement, your eyes were using retinal, an organic compound which converts visible light into nerve impulses. When you understood, the gaps between your brain cells were being bridged by simple organic molecules called ‘neurotransmitter amines’. We do not understand these processes but we carry them out in our mind and body efficiently. No chemist, however brilliant, understands all the minute details of chemistry in the universe. However, for a chemist the wonder and excitement lies in the fact that the universe is one gargantuan lab. It is this that motivates me to learn chemistry in my journey of education with a medium as good as the Duke University.

 

Mathematics and Chemistry have been my favourite subjects ever since the school days, when I tried every avenue to learn more about them. This led me to participate in many workshops and lectures by preeminent Indian scholars on both of them. Over a period of time, my curiosity regarding several natural phenomena evolved into choosing a career in Chemistry. I suspect that since my father holds a Masters in Organic chemistry, initiation towards the subject and a subsequent development happened by osmosis right from my childhood.

 

I opted for Chemistry major at V G Vaze College, one of the best chemistry departments in the University of Mumbai. The three wonderful years I spent there had a sweet ending -  I stood first in the final year! Encouraged by this, I chose to apply to the two year Masters in Chemistry program at the reputed Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT/UDCT), Mumbai. By focusing on the joys of Chemistry and letting curiosity and good mentors be my guiding stars, I graduated in June 2014 and was placed 3^rd in my class. As a means to further my education and achieve my ambition of becoming a world class chemist, I plan to pursue a PhD in Organic chemistry from a reputed institution like yours.

 

I was fortunate to be in one of the few institutes in India where research work at the master’s level is not only made possible but encouraged. I choose to study Nature’s wonderful catalysts – enzymes – and their role in catalysing organic reactions. Dr. Bhalchandra M. Bhanage was generous in his time by mentoring and overseeing my work in  ‘Studies of polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan based immobilized lipase for synthesis of anisyl propionate, characterization, activity, optimization and application studies’ spread over the one year of 2013 -2014.

 

Methodology development along with organic synthesis constituted the two parts of my research project. In the project, I learnt to use enzymes to synthesize several industrially important compounds used in flavours and fragrances. I was delighted in developing a new enzyme-polymer blend combination which successfully gave high selectivity and yields of the products. It was gratifying to combine the selectivity of enzymes with the high yields expected of reactions used in the industry. This research experience made me very much hands on in carrying out organic reactions and gave me an in depth knowledge of enzymes. I also learnt to use and interpret data from SEM, FTIR, GC, GC-MS and UV. It made me realise the joys (and the occasional pain) of experimentation. In the future, the research would be useful in exploring different biochemical pathways for several organic reactions and also in promoting the industrial use of enzymes as catalysts. After my graduation, I have continued my research efforts in organic synthesis by exploring different biochemical pathways under the guidance of Dr. Bhalchandra M. Bhanage.

 

One of the most significant achievements during my graduate tenure was when I had the honour of securing 2^nd prize in the national level competition ‘Industry Defined Problem’. In this, I developed a novel, alternative and non-patent infringing method to synthesize an industrially important drug trans-zeaxanthin from an abundant drug trans-leutine. This highly cost effective and eco-friendly method won me several accolades and subsequently, the 2^nd prize.  Developing the methodology demanded creative designing abilities, literature surveys and out-of-the-box thinking all of which I believe, will revamp my research aptitude.

 

Besides academics and research, I am actively involved in community service through an international organization called ‘Swadhyaya Pariwar’ (DAY in USA) for the past 7 years. As a part of this organization, I take part in street plays, elocution competitions, and social awareness drives throughout the year. This work has helped a lot in my personal growth as I have come to realise the value of teamwork, communication and having fun in the work I do. It is also humbling to see the diversity of challenges facing humanity and the brave efforts by a few in addressing these. Besides this, I also enjoy sports and travelling.

 

Having already explored the enzymatic pathway for the synthesis of industrially important foods and flavour compounds, I plan to broaden my horizons by understanding the therapeutic importance of enzymes. Thus, I am very much interested in joining Duke University in pursuit of a doctoral program (PhD) in Organic chemistry, specifically under the guidance of Prof. Dewey G. McCafferty. His exceptional work on chromatin modifying enzymes, will help me to explore biologically inspired solutions in medicinal chemistry. My interest in medicinal chemistry arises because, I wish to contribute to the betterment of the society and I find the medium of medicinal chemistry to achieve my goals to be the most appropriate. Because, the world is plagued by illness and staying healthy and happy is a key to achieve prosperity. The area also represents fruitful opportunities for future research and a PhD in this area will help me channelize my efforts in the right direction. Hence, in future, I see myself as an independent researcher working with a dedicated research team in some premier institute.

 

In my assessment, Duke University provides one of the most recognized graduate programs in Organic Chemistry in the USA. A good graduate program is indispensable for realizing a professional ambition of becoming a competent researcher. Therefore, greater availability of inter disciplinary research activities along with an excellent research team at your university will provide me a proper work environment congenial to research field and offer a broad spectrum of the field of Organic chemistry. Furthermore, the access to advanced facilities in your department will enable me to conduct my research using cutting-edge technologies. I see myself integrating at Duke University and I strongly believe that I will be successful in both completing my doctorate and contributing meaningful to the research endeavours at your university.

 

P.S- One of the paragraph above is in red because I am not sure whether to include that in my SOP or not. Please suggest.

 

[dllll]

Hey, I am also applying to Chemistry PhD programs.  I have some suggestions for you, and I would be grateful if you (or anyone else reading) would return the favor!

• I would choose two examples rather than three for your opening, and try to make them a bit shorter.  It comes off as a little preachy whereas you are preaching to the choir, no?
• In your second paragraph: Mathematics and Chemistry have been my favourite subjects ever since the school days childhood. , when I tried every avenue to learn more about them.  I have pursued these topics from a young age, leading me to participate...  
• No explanation points. Keep it more formal.
• I would get rid of the paragraph in red.
• In general, I would try to shorten it. Try to eliminate excessive description and introduction - just get straight to the point, especially at the beginnings of paragraphs.

 

I know it's late in the game, but if anyone has suggestions for mine, it's below:

I believe that studying the chemistry of biological systems will be critical in developing technology to address human health issues as well as future energy demands. I am specifically interested in investigating the chemistry performed by enzymes, using organic chemistry and biochemistry to understand reaction mechanisms as well as structure-function relationships. I am applying for graduate school because I want to dedicate my career to research in this field.

 

 

My current research interests have resulted from a combination of both coursework and research experiences. During my senior year at X College, I enrolled in three highly influential courses: Advanced Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Structural Biochemistry, and Metabolic Biochemistry.  The advanced organic chemistry course incited an enthusiasm for organic reaction mechanisms which was reinforced by studies of enzyme mechanisms and structures in my biochemistry courses.  I discovered my passion for structural biochemistry and mechanistic enzymology, and achieved a senior-year GPA of 3.72. 

 

My research background is both extensive and varied, affording me a unique and well-rounded perspective in the lab. I have conducted research in four labs, ranging from Physical Chemistry to Environmental Microbiology, and although I have chosen to pursue graduate work in Biochemistry, my experience in other fields makes me a versatile and interdisciplinary researcher. Under Dr. X, I investigated multiphoton dissociation mechanisms using resonance Raman spectroscopy.  I operated a Nd:YAG laser, optimized optical equipment, and programmed data analysis software. The next summer, I was accepted by NSF's Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program to research biomimetic complexes in Dr. Y's lab. This research experience was highly influential for me, not only because it was my first exposure to university-level research, but because it introduced me to the chemistry of biological systems and to the concept of biomimetics. I successfully synthesized analogs of metalloenzyme active sites, honed my organic and inorganic synthesis skills, and analyzed complexes using a suite of techniques including single-crystal XRD, paramagnetic NMR, and ESI-LC-MS. I returned to X College with a newfound appreciation for biological chemistry and a new perspective on research.  That year, I completed a senior research thesis under Dr. Z, investigating the role of dynamics in the function of a metalloregulatory protein. I successfully expressed and purified a mutant protein in which a tryptophan residue was introduced in the metal-binding domain as a spectroscopic tag, enabling me to assay changes in dynamics by monitoring anisotropy of tryptophan emission. I wrote a dissertation on the project and presented my research in a Chemistry department seminar.

 

After graduating, I taught SAT preparatory classes in order to explore my interest in teaching, which I had cultivated during my three-year appointment as a Chemistry tutor at College. Though I found it fulfilling to help students learn, I missed the intellectual stimulation and challenges of research. I began seriously considering graduate school, and I decided to gain more research experience in order to make an informed decision. I accepted a position as a Research Associate in a Microbiology lab at University A, where I have deepened my understanding of microbiology and enhanced my interest in enzymology.

 

 

In Dr. A's lab,  I have conducted research on three projects.  In the first project, I characterized the physiology, phylogenetics, genomics, and pathways of aromatic catabolism of a novel bacterium.  The work expanded the known diversity of perchlorate reduction, a metabolism which is a central focus in the lab. Despite being new to biology, I have learned quickly. Over the past year, I have presented my research at the Conference for the American Society of Microbiology and have submitted two manuscripts for publication, which are currently in review.  In my second project, I purified and characterized a cytochrome c enzyme involved in electron transport in perchlorate reduction. I demonstrated that the enzyme was the physiological electron donor in our model organism through spectroscopic bioassays developed in the lab, and a manuscript for this work is currently in preparation. This project was especially pivotal because it substantiated my academic interest in enzymology with actual lab experience. More recently, I developed a GC-MS method for characterizing crude oil metabolism in bioreactors.  I designed and engineered the bioreactors and have independently developed a method to analyze hydrocarbon degradation in complex biological sample matrices.

My research experience in Dr. A lab has prepared me for graduate school in Chemistry in two major ways.  First, I have gained a stronger foundation in biology which has contributed to my specific interest in Bioorganic Chemistry. Second, and perhaps more importantly, I have gained confidence in my research abilities. I present my research at weekly sub-group meetings as well as biannual group meetings alongside graduate students and post-docs. I adapt to the research needs of the lab and learn new techniques quickly. In short, I am confident in my ability to perform graduate level research because I currently conduct research among graduate students. Though I enjoy my research at University A, my research interests and career aspirations both point towards a doctoral degree in Chemistry.  I hope to make a career in academic research science, either as a PI or as a senior researcher.  Graduate school will help me realize this goal, and moreover, it will enable me to pursue my research interest in the organic chemistry of biological systems.

 

I believe my academic preparation and research background have sufficiently prepared me for graduate school. I have extensive research experience, and I am confident that I have the diligence, intelligence, and motivation to succeed. I want to make this important step in my career in the Chemistry program at University B because I am drawn to the large research community on campus, the collaborative research environment, and customizable curriculum. There are numerous investigators studying mechanisms and structural origins of catalysis whom I am interested in working with. In particular, I am interested in Dr. A's work on B, Dr. C's characterization of D, Dr. E's use of F, and Dr. G's work on H. I would be thrilled to pursue a PhD in Chemistry in such a rich and inspiring research community.



Thanks

[Crucial BBQ]

Hey, I am also applying to Chemistry PhD programs.  I have some suggestions for you, and I would be grateful if you (or anyone else reading) would return the favor!

 

I know it's late in the game, but if anyone has suggestions for mine, it's below:

I believe that studying the chemistry of biological systems will be critical in developing technology to address human health issues as well as future energy demands. I am specifically interested in investigating the chemistry performed by enzymes, using organic chemistry and biochemistry to understand reaction mechanisms as well as structure-function relationships. I am applying for graduate school because I want to dedicate my career to research in this field.

 

 

My current research interests have resulted from a combination of both coursework and research experiences. During my senior year at X College, I enrolled in three highly influential courses: Advanced Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Structural Biochemistry, and Metabolic Biochemistry.  The advanced organic chemistry course incited an enthusiasm for organic reaction mechanisms which was reinforced by studies of enzyme mechanisms and structures in my biochemistry courses.  I discovered my passion for structural biochemistry and mechanistic enzymology, and achieved a senior-year GPA of 3.72. 

 

My research background is both extensive and varied, affording me a unique and well-rounded perspective in the lab. I have conducted research in four labs, ranging from Physical Chemistry to Environmental Microbiology, and although I have chosen to pursue graduate work in Biochemistry, my experience in other fields makes me a versatile and interdisciplinary researcher. Under Dr. X, I investigated multiphoton dissociation mechanisms using resonance Raman spectroscopy.  I operated a Nd:YAG laser, optimized optical equipment, and programmed data analysis software. The next summer, I was accepted by NSF's Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program to research biomimetic complexes in Dr. Y's lab. This research experience was highly influential for me, not only because it was my first exposure to university-level research, but because it introduced me to the chemistry of biological systems and to the concept of biomimetics. I successfully synthesized analogs of metalloenzyme active sites, honed my organic and inorganic synthesis skills, and analyzed complexes using a suite of techniques including single-crystal XRD, paramagnetic NMR, and ESI-LC-MS. I returned to X College with a newfound appreciation for biological chemistry and a new perspective on research.  That year, I completed a senior research thesis under Dr. Z, investigating the role of dynamics in the function of a metalloregulatory protein. I successfully expressed and purified a mutant protein in which a tryptophan residue was introduced in the metal-binding domain as a spectroscopic tag, enabling me to assay changes in dynamics by monitoring anisotropy of tryptophan emission. I wrote a dissertation on the project and presented my research in a Chemistry department seminar.

 

After graduating, I taught SAT preparatory classes in order to explore my interest in teaching, which I had cultivated during my three-year appointment as a Chemistry tutor at College. Though I found it fulfilling to help students learn, I missed the intellectual stimulation and challenges of research. I began seriously considering graduate school, and I decided to gain more research experience in order to make an informed decision. I accepted a position as a Research Associate in a Microbiology lab at University A, where I have deepened my understanding of microbiology and enhanced my interest in enzymology.

 

 

In Dr. A's lab,  I have conducted research on three projects.  In the first project, I characterized the physiology, phylogenetics, genomics, and pathways of aromatic catabolism of a novel bacterium.  The work expanded the known diversity of perchlorate reduction, a metabolism which is a central focus in the lab. Despite being new to biology, I have learned quickly. Over the past year, I have presented my research at the Conference for the American Society of Microbiology and have submitted two manuscripts for publication, which are currently in review.  In my second project, I purified and characterized a cytochrome c enzyme involved in electron transport in perchlorate reduction. I demonstrated that the enzyme was the physiological electron donor in our model organism through spectroscopic bioassays developed in the lab, and a manuscript for this work is currently in preparation. This project was especially pivotal because it substantiated my academic interest in enzymology with actual lab experience. More recently, I developed a GC-MS method for characterizing crude oil metabolism in bioreactors.  I designed and engineered the bioreactors and have independently developed a method to analyze hydrocarbon degradation in complex biological sample matrices.

My research experience in Dr. A lab has prepared me for graduate school in Chemistry in two major ways.  First, I have gained a stronger foundation in biology which has contributed to my specific interest in Bioorganic Chemistry. Second, and perhaps more importantly, I have gained confidence in my research abilities. I present my research at weekly sub-group meetings as well as biannual group meetings alongside graduate students and post-docs. I adapt to the research needs of the lab and learn new techniques quickly. In short, I am confident in my ability to perform graduate level research because I currently conduct research among graduate students. Though I enjoy my research at University A, my research interests and career aspirations both point towards a doctoral degree in Chemistry.  I hope to make a career in academic research science, either as a PI or as a senior researcher.  Graduate school will help me realize this goal, and moreover, it will enable me to pursue my research interest in the organic chemistry of biological systems.

 

I believe my academic preparation and research background have sufficiently prepared me for graduate school. I have extensive research experience, and I am confident that I have the diligence, intelligence, and motivation to succeed. I want to make this important step in my career in the Chemistry program at University B because I am drawn to the large research community on campus, the collaborative research environment, and customizable curriculum. There are numerous investigators studying mechanisms and structural origins of catalysis whom I am interested in working with. In particular, I am interested in Dr. A's work on B, Dr. C's characterization of D, Dr. E's use of F, and Dr. G's work on H. I would be thrilled to pursue a PhD in Chemistry in such a rich and inspiring research community.

Thanks

You can tighten it up a little, but in general this good as it is.  

[somayeh mousavi]

Hello

Do you think it's a good SOP?

Statement of Purpose: PhD (chemistry)

Throughout my life, I have learned that the ultimate happiness is obtained not only by hard work and intelligence, but also by unlimited passion in pursuing my own dreams. It is my ongoing desire for learning, invention, and teaching that lead me to continue my educational career towards a Ph.D. degree.

My interest in the field of Organic Chemistry goes back to the days of my High School where I learned about naming alkanes and cycloalkanes, as well as the different structures of functional groups in our textbooks. I always discussed these contents of the lessons with my chemistry teacher. With her encouragement and in order to satisfy my desire for comprehending the structure of compounds and learning their mechanism, I decided to study Chemistry as my major at university. Therefore, I passed the entrance exam of Iran universities, and chose Chemistry for my undergraduate study in Islamic Azad University Tehran Branch. Adjusting to the academic environment was a challenge at first, so the rather lower grades during the freshman year of my undergraduate studies; but I managed to quickly recover and make up for the lost grades.

I believe that graduate study in chemistry will provide me opportunities and the guidance to deepen my knowledge and gain valuable research experience of chemistry. Therefore, I devoted a great amount of time to study to pass the "National Iranian University Entrance Exam for M.Sc. degree," which guaranteed my acceptance to Alzahra University, one of the most prestigious universities in my country. In the period of study at Alzahra University, I have undertaken various courses like organic synthesis methods, heterocyclic chemistry, organic physical chemistry, and molecular spectroscopy. I had decided to do my thesis under supervision of Dr. Ghodsi Mohammadi Ziarani which is titled “Synthesis of Biologically Active Organic Compounds in the Presence of Nano-catalyst”. I finished my dissertation with the score of 20 out of 20, and also six international journal articles, three of which are derived from my dissertation, and 2 national conference in Iran.

For three years, Regarding my interest and dominance in teaching, I have worked as a chemistry teacher in some private institutions in Tehran which help me to enhance my skills in teaching, managing class and making relation with students. But my insatiable enthusiasm in learning new things and research leads me to decide to get hands on experience and become familiar with chemical industries, so from June 2014, I worked as a R&D specialist in Biosun Pharmed Company, a new established pharmaceutical company in Iran. My trainee program was held at Hybio Company in China, which was also a technology transfer process for two peptides: Eptifibatide & Octreotide. This awesome opportunity enabled me to grasp many crucial details concerning synthesis and purification processes of peptides. In addition, I was also permitted to participate in both synthesis and purification process in R&D department and in GMP unit of the Hybio factory in China. Now, I am synthesis supervisor that has the responsibility related to all those data sheets and documents for SOPs of the synthesis processes of drugs as well as the observer of monitoring of drug synthesis.

 

Having real work experiences, now I have a balanced view of my interests, which enables me to make a decision between pursuing a career in academia or one in the industry. I find the academic environment more appealing because of the high level of intellectual challenge and creativity with it as well as the opportunity if provides to follow my research interests in the field of organic chemistry.

 I have always desired to follow my advanced academic studies in a renowned school where I can utilize both the knowledge of erudite people and high-tech facilities. Meanwhile, by a thorough search among many graduate schools, I found that different programs of organic chemistry that are offered at Department of Chemistry at University of New Hampshire. I would like to join the Department of Chemistry at University of New Hampshire because of the excellent learning environment, top-notch faculty, educational resources, and strong research centers in the field of my interest.

I consider it an honor to be accepted in organic chemistry program of the University of New Hampshire, and I know this will help me move towards my ultimate goal. I am aware that joining your program will require diligent work, energy and focus to accomplish given tasks, and I can assure you that I am absolutely motivated and totally prepared for it. I am self-motivated, independent, and hard-working. I have tremendous perseverance and a lot of research potential. I think my statement of purpose and CV illustrate my points sufficiently. I hope your university gives me the opportunity to grow as an individual and prove my potential.