Francis is a junior from Clifton, NJ studying Chemical Engineering with a minor in Biomedical Engineering, hoping to earn a Ph.D. and become a professor.
Next summer, Francis will be a Chemical Engineering R&D Intern at Merck Research Labs in Rahway, NJ. He hopes to gain perspective on industry research through this position to better inform his application to graduate school.
This past summer, Francis conducted research at the University of California, Berkeley as a member of the 2017 NSF REU Integrative Biology Program. He worked with Dr. David Sedlak in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. His project focused on removing dissolved metals from urban stormwater using manganese oxide-coated sand. His work contributed to a larger effort to increase water security in urban areas.
The previous summer, Francis became a member of Dr. Christopher Alabi's lab, where he currently works, researching drug delivery techniques. His project focuses on developing antibody-drug conjugates to improve drug delivery and disease diagnostics.
Outside of research, Francis is the principal tuba player of the Cornell Symphony Orchestra and the Cornell Wind Symphony. He is also an Outdoor Odyssey guide, leading incoming freshmen on pre-orientation wilderness trips to help their transition to Cornell, and serving as Selection Chair during the year. Francis also serves as an Engineering Peer Advisor, mentoring freshmen engineers. He is a Junior Representative for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) chapter here on campus. Finally, Francis is a recent graduate of the Cornell Engineering Leadership Certification Program.
At the rare times Francis is not studying in Duffield, you can find him sleeping in his hammock, exploring and questioning the intricacies of the universe and society, spending time with friends, or blocking Lindsey and spiking his way to victory on the volleyball court.
