Early research opportunities spur discovery

Last summer, sophomore Aiden Jin was one of two students selected to participate in the Summer Research Experience in MSE. The program was exclusively open to students completing their first year of undergraduate studies and included a stipend and housing through support from the MSE Student Impact Fund. 

Jin used the opportunity to work in the Cohen-Karni Lab on a project focused on synthesizing and characterizing tin-sulfide nanoflower thin films for use in near-infrared optical neural interfaces. His work included gaining hands on experience with equipment in the Materials Characterization Facility (MCF) as he explored SEM imaging, UV-Vis and Raman spectroscopy, photoelectrochemical measurements, and early-stage neuron plating and photostimulation tests to evaluate the material’s potential for neural interfacing applications. Read more about Aiden’s experience: 

What motivated you to participate in a research project at this stage in your undergraduate studies? 

From the moment I arrived at Carnegie Mellon, I knew I wanted research to be a part of my academic journey. Diving into a project during my first year felt like the best way to explore my scientific interests while gaining real technical experience. Joining Ph.D. candidate Daniel Ranke in the Cohen-Karni Lab gave me the chance to step out of the classroom and into a real research environment, where I could start building hands-on skills and see how the materials I study actually function in practical applications.

What skills did you gain through this research opportunity? 

I developed a strong foundation in materials characterization, especially for analyzing surface morphology. Much of my work focused on examining the complex structures that formed on my samples, which meant working extensively with SEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Learning how to collect, interpret, and connect data from these techniques taught me not just how to operate advanced instruments, but how to think like a researcher. 

How did this experience prepare you for moving forward in the MSE program? 

This experience played a major role in shaping the academic path I want to pursue within MSE. I came into the program interested in biomedical applications but unsure how materials science fits into that world. Working in the lab helped me discover how deeply electronic materials intersect with both medical technologies and energy systems. It opened my eyes to fields like device materials and batteries that I hadn’t fully considered before, but now find really exciting.

Why do you think it is important for undergraduates to have access to research opportunities early in their academic career?

Early research opportunities give students the chance to explore their interests long before they have to commit to a particular path. More importantly, research provides real-world skills and experiences that coursework alone simply can’t replicate. By getting into a lab early, students not only deepen their understanding of what they learn in class—they begin to see themselves as scientists, engineers, and innovators.