Spotlight: Nanoscience student Joshua Kling

On the Nanoscience Program . . .

Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? What drew you to Virginia Tech?

My name is Josh Kling and I am a junior Nanoscience major at Virginia Tech. I grew up Luray, Virginia, which is a small town about 3 hours north of Blacksburg. I am an avid Hokie sports fan who has been attending games since my sophomore year in high school, as well as a fan of professional basketball and football. I was drawn to Virginia Tech after visiting the campus numerous times as a high school student. I loved the atmosphere and environment the university and the people within it created, so I decided to make VT my home.

You entered Virginia Tech in Fall 2015 as a member of our first incoming Nanoscience class. As a senior in high school, what drew you to choose Nanoscience on your VT application?

When deciding what I wanted to study, I tried to look for something interesting that I had a passion for, as well as something new that could provide me with good opportunities down the road. Nanoscience has provided me with this and three years later I am very happy with my decision. Another reason I chose Nanoscience was the newness of the field. After I learned a little about what was being studied and the future possibilities, I realized this field could revolutionize science as a whole and that was something I wanted to be a part of.

What has surprised you about the Nanoscience Program?

What really surprised me about the Nanoscience program is how intertwined the different sciences are and that being a Nanoscientist is so much more than just understanding nanomaterials. I have learned and utilized the basics of many sciences in my work which has made me a more well-rounded scientist. 

Describe an experience you have had in the Nanoscience Program that stands out.

One of my favorite experiences in the Nanoscience program was my first time being in a true research lab. As a freshman, we took a short trip to the VTSuN lab in Kelly Hall and I was amazed by all the instruments and advanced techniques that I had only learned about in a classroom. It was much different than what I expected, and I was excited to be exposed to new things.

How do your Nanoscience classes differ from traditional science classes?

My Nanoscience classes differ from traditional science classes because they utilize methods and processes from many scientific fields, with the goal of trying to understand extremely small particles and molecules. Because Nanoscience is so new, new topics are introduced regularly, unlike classes such as chemistry or physics where many of the topics have been known and understood for some time. This makes every day and class exciting because we are always learning about the latest discoveries in the field.

Talk a little about your experience with Undergraduate Research in the Nanoscience Program.

As a sophomore, I took the research rotation course where we got to shadow scientists from different labs and my first rotation was in the VTSuN lab that I toured my freshman year. The topic of the rotation was characterization and analysis of titanium nanoparticles. After this rotation, I went back and spoke to Dr. Weinan Leng and ended up working in the lab all summer as well as through this school year. This lab experience has allowed me to utilize some advanced techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and BET surface area analysis in order to understand how nanoparticles affect the environment.

What are your career goals? Both short term and long term?

Although I have not decided exactly what direction I want to take my career, I do plan to use my understanding of Nanoscience and problem-solving skills to further help advance society using Nanoscience. The possibilities of Nanoscience are almost endless and with time, some of the biggest problems in world today will be solved using Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

What are you most looking forward to after you graduate?

After I graduate, I am most looking forward to pursuing a job in the field of Nanoscience. This will allow me to put my acquired knowledge and skills to use on a daily basis to investigate new applications and uses of Nanoscience that could possibly change the world we live in.

What has been the highlight of your Hokie career so far?

The highlight of my Hokie career thus far has been the repeated reminder that not only am I at one of the best educational institutions in the world, but I am surrounded by people who have the same passion for this school that I do. Whether I am with my peers in class or with 66,232 other Hokies in Lane Stadium, I am always reminded of the tight knit community that instantly drew me to Virginia Tech as a high school student.

What advice do you have for students considering a degree in Nanoscience?

To students who are considering a degree in Nanoscience, definitely do it. This field has something for everyone and you will be on the cutting edge of science. The Nanoscience faculty are some of the best in each of their respective fields and will provide you with all the knowledge you need to be successful at Virginia Tech and as a scientist yourself, so be sure to get to know your professors, as they will go above and beyond to help you learn and grow. You will also have opportunities to use some of the most advanced devices and techniques in the field, something that not everyone has access to. If you make the most of your time and resources within the Nanoscience program, you will undoubtedly make large contributions to this exciting field.