Student Spotlight: Ashley Foster
Meet Ashley, a senior Chemistry major from Walpole, Massachusetts. Her passion for chemistry began at Bishop Feehan High School in the nearby town of Attleboro, where, during a basic titration experiment, she became captivated by chemistry’s hands-on nature and foundational role in the world of science. Having grown up sharing an interest in chemistry with her father, she finds herself inspired by “the boundless potential of chemistry to unlock solutions to complex problems and to drive innovation across various scientific disciplines.”
At UMass, chemistry gives Ashley the ability to problem-solve and explore, and research opportunities allow her to delve deeper into her interests and fuel her curiosity. One area where this is especially true is at the intersection of chemistry and data analytics—making Quantitative Analysis (CHEM 315) particularly captivating. Under the guidance of professor Ruthanne Paradise, Quantitative Analysis offered Ashley “invaluable insights, as the class explored various instruments to interpret data—a skill set with immense real-world applications.” Additionally, her fascination with organic chemistry led her to thoroughly enjoy the informative and hands-on approach championed by senior lecturer Christopher McDaniel, who challenged Ashley to deepen her understanding of organic chemistry principles and enhance her laboratory technique.
Ashley is involved in a research group on campus that focuses on sustainable film development. “Traditional methods in the film industry often involve the use of harmful chemicals, posing significant environmental risks,” Ashley explained. “As a response to this challenge, our team's research explores eco-friendly alternatives, utilizing used coffee grounds [sourced from campus dining halls] in film development. The research group is small, consisting of just four students, with no graduate students involved. This means it's up to us, along with the guidance of professor Paradise, to handle all the problem-solving and research for the lab. Despite our size, we work closely together to tackle challenges and make progress on our objectives.”
An intramural soccer enthusiast, Ashley was excited to join the UMass club soccer team this past fall.
Ashley chose the College of Natural Sciences for its abundant research opportunities: “The campus hosts numerous research groups, each delving into diverse fields, allowing students to discover their passions and chart their academic and professional paths,” she asserted. “With the various research groups on campus, I knew I could explore different fields and find my niche. As a transfer student, this was a significant draw compared to my previous school, where such opportunities were limited.”
After graduating with a Chemistry degree from UMass, Ashley aims to pursue computer science certifications in data analytics and AI coding. “With these additional skills, I plan to return to academia to pursue a master's degree.”