Kritika Sharma

Where did you complete your undergraduate degree?
IIT Delhi

Please provide your lab and description of research.
I work in Electrochemical Engineering Research Laboratory. My advisor is Dr. Vijay Ramani. I work on fuel cell devices. My focus is on liquid-liquid fuel cells using alcohol as fuel and Hydrogen Peroxide as an oxidant. I electrochemically characterize the catalysts, membrane and optimize the overall fuel cell performance.

What played into your decision to get a graduate engineering degree?
During my undergraduate program, I explored different fields like consultancy, industrial internship, and research internships. Overall, I found that I thrive more in a research environment. Additionally, I am passionate about teaching. Eventually, I want to be an academician, and the journey to that passed through a graduate engineering degree.

Why did you pick WashU?
I did my research internship at WashU in the summer of 2018 during my undergraduate degree. I really liked the lab and that's why I picked WashU.

What is your favorite thing about St. Louis?
Forest Park, The St. Louis Zoo, Creve Coeur Lake, and Clementine's Ice Creamery are the top things I like about St Louis.

What advice would you give to a new student?
My advice would be to try to strike a balance between work and life. A graduate degree is a marathon, not a sprint.

What campus activities or groups would you recommend to a new student?
AGES and department specific graduate groups for sure. For international students, graduate groups of respective nationalities. For example, For Indian Students, the UMANG group.

What are your plans for the future?
My Plan is to work in a Postdoc position for 2-3 years. After that, I will apply for an assistant professor job.