Putting on the refinishing touches

After a rewarding experience as an intern at Covestro in 2023, senior Phylicia Ma returned to the company in 2024 as an Automotive Coatings Intern. Read more about her summer experience:

What were your job responsibilities? 

My project was to develop a low volatile organic compound (VOC) clear coat formulation for the automotive refinish market. Lowering the solvent content would enhance sustainability and improve compliance with environmental and health regulations. Overall, I tested over 70 different formulations.

Why did you choose to pursue this opportunity? 

I enjoyed my internship at Covestro last year, through which I conducted chemical and physical tests on polycarbonates. There was an opening in the automotive coatings group this year and I was interested in trying something completely different than what I was learning in class, as well as gaining wet chemistry experience. I also like how Covestro is dedicated to sustainability. The interns participated in a sustainability challenge where we developed a business case for decommissioning one of their buildings. This was a great opportunity to help Covestro improve its sustainability while connecting with other interns. 

What was the most interesting part of the job? 

I liked the variety of the hands-on experiences. I learned over 10 different testing techniques and had the chance to spray paint onto panels in the spray booth. 

How will you apply what you have done/learned this summer as you proceed with your studies in Materials Science & Engineering?

I received a lot of feedback on my final presentation, which involved presenting complex data to a wide audience. I will keep the advice in mind for my senior capstone project.