Thomas Trimble Email and Phone Number

In my freshman year at Black Hills State University I was a student in an ethnobotany class which catalyzed my interest in the relationship between humans and plants, and how scientists discover naturally occuring materials in plants that help to improve the condition of our species. At the same time I started as a research assistant doing gene sequencing for the Center for Conservation of Biological Resources (CCBR) at Black Hills State University and quickly found that science, like art, depended on the devotion to the process of manipulating matter.This idea prompted me to become interested in organic chemistry, and under the guidance of Dr. Katrina Jensen I was able to start making things on the molecular level. Through her research in the development of π – stacking compounds for stationary phase modifications, and the evaluation of copper photoredox catalysts in the synthesis of chiral molecules, I have amassed approximately 1200 hours work experience in basic organic synthesis bench work, handling moisture and air sensitive materials, and the use of analytical instruments such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and high pressure liquid chromatography. Because of this experience, I twice applied for, and received a competitive paying research position via the South Dakota Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network for the summer of 2015 and the 2015 – 2016 academic year. Throughout this time I have also presented research at the 2015 ACS National Meeting, and the 2015 National Conference on Undergraduate Research. After completing my undergraduate degree in both chemistry and biology, I joined the Peace Corps as a Food Security Volunteer in Nepal. I did this primarily because of their mushroom cultivation program and my need to gain some perspective on how I would like to contribute to the world. There I lived and worked with local farmers to increase their access to nutrient dense foods among a few other major and minor projects. Unfortunately we were evacuated from Nepal due to COVID-19, and I am now working as a carpenter at Blue Heron Carpentry. As the landscape changes for jobs and graduate programs due to the pandemic I am keeping my options open and waiting for the best fit for what I would like to do.