Overview
During my search for a PhD lab I’ve been inspired by faculty who take a moment on their personal academic website to outline the values they stand for. I’ve made my own outline of personal values below, and I’ve included some expectations (that you can expect of me as a collaborator or graduate student).
Community
Incorporating different creative problem solving perspectives strengthens our science. Learning about the IPBES Framework at Kenyon College expanded my perspective immensely, and inspired me to engage more deeply.
Building community means a good deal to me. From remote field station work to just conducting good science, I believe in the power of human connection and good communication.
There’s joy in offering good mentorship to earlier-career scientists. Being a mentor is one of the things I value most about my master’s work. Moreover, I am privileged to be a mentee of some phenomenal scientists and people. It would be an honor to join an academic family tree that carries that same legacy of cultivating good mentorship.
Problem Solving
I learn best when I can visualize the system or problem. As a former(forever?) Montessori student, I enjoy tactile learning and it’s not strange to find me building a model, drawing a diagram, and working hard to broaden my perspective.
MacGyvering is second nature to me. From a young age I’ve learned to make-do and create from whatever scraps are on hand; you can count on me to work on creating a solution from paper clips and duct tape.
Feedback & Growth
I take feedback best when it’s prompt, and in-person. As a curious person it helps me to be able to ask questions and clarify so that I can learn and improve.
Perfectionism is not as important as progress; but I’ve accepted my fate as a person who strives for perfection.
I care deeply. Being a good graduate student requires action, and I’m known to take action and implement. When we meet as a lab group I need feedback but I’ll also ask for action items. Often I have a solid idea of next-steps but I value even vague direction as a means to guide where I pour my energy.
Who I am
My peers would likely describe me as full of enthusiastic energy, driven, and a rallier who can excite a team to complete a goal. I would agree and add that I’ve built a reputation as an independent workhorse who has a high level of comfort learning on my own.
I am the student who goes to office hours to ask questions about underlying phenomena, who strives to make connections across disciplines, and who is energized by riddles. Truly, I love to learn, and I carry that zeal with me.
Early-on I was taught that the best graduate students bake muffins for committee meetings; as I always strive to be the best I can be (and baking is the most calming chemistry discipline) you can count on some version of (likely) blueberry muffins at our committee meetings. Lemon blueberry, blueberry vanilla, and banana blueberry are current favorites.
I use python and R, can endure long field days(seasons), and am motivated.
There’s more to me, click here to see my CV.
Contact via email: kusherjm@g.cofc.edu
Jesseca Kusher 