Samuel Taylor is a senior at the Southern Methodist University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a minor in mathematics. This summer he worked alongside Dr. Vempati, researching Biosilica, and is continuing his work in the fall. He was granted a Student Research Assistantship (SRA) fellowship by the university for his research, which will be completed under the supervision of Dr. Vempati. He has previously worked for Monsanto as an entomology intern in the company’s biotech department. After having worked in different laboratories, he remarked, “I would like to gain more experience in the lab and a better understanding of what a career in chemistry has in store for me.”