An Uplifting Journey for Graduate Student Erica Graham
*UPDATE: Graham, who recently competed in the National 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Virtual Showcase and Roundtable Discussion sponsored by the Council on Graduate Schools, was named the people's choice award winner on Feb. 8, 2021. Graham's presentation and acceptance speech can be viewed on YouTube.
ALBANY, N.Y. (Jan. 26, 2021) – Graduate student Erica Graham has charted a distinctive course as she nears completion of her doctorate in nanoengineering. Arriving at UAlbany with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Stony Brook University, Graham had applied to what was then UAlbany’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering.
Shortly after arriving, CNSE became part of SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly), and students who enrolled in the college were given the option of switching to SUNY Poly or remaining within the broader UAlbany administrative system. Graham chose the latter option, and it has provided her with unique opportunities to experience the offerings of both institutions.
At SUNY Poly, Graham focuses on the field of silicon photonics, which involves creating, processing, and detecting light for use in data communications, high-performance computing, self-driving vehicles, and bio-sensing.
As a student at UAlbany, Graham’s status allowed her to help found a graduate level organization for UAlbany students of color (Graduate Students of Color or the GSCO).
“There were amazing clubs and organizations at UAlbany geared toward graduate students, but there was a void in support dedicated for students of color,” said Graham, who is in the final stages of completing her dissertation. “In response, a fellow graduate student and I formed the organization in 2019. GSCO’s objective is to address the underrepresentation of graduate students of color by increasing academic excellence, disseminating financial resources and opportunities for professional development, and encouraging a supportive environment that increases self-awareness, unity, self-determination, and lastly collective work.”
Helping Graham along the way has been UAlbany Assistant Graduate Dean Shanise Kent.
“Dr. Kent has served as our mentor, club advisor, and the backbone for us to push through,” said Graham. “We have had a plethora of event for networking, mental health, leadership, and have even advised individual members on an emotional level.”
During this past summer at the height of racial unrest, Graham and her fellow GSCO students had a series of virtual events to offer safe spaces for graduate students to have an equal platform to discuss opinions, uplift one another and formulate action plans. As Graham reflects on her time with GSCO, she sees the group of 155 strong as positioned to expand, with opportunities to collaborate with organizations both internal to the UAlbany community and external.
“Erica has been a true pleasure to work with,” said Kent. “She is well-rounded and strives for excellence in all that she does, whether it be research, supporting fellow graduate students through the GSCO, or learning gymnastics. I certainly look forward to seeing all of the great things Erica will do once she leaves UAlbany and working with her as an alumna.”
Graham has also distinguished herself on the academic front. In December, she competed in the Northeast Association of Graduate Schools’ (NAGS) Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. The challenge—condensing five years of graduate research into a three-minute presentation— showcased her ability to succinctly convey their research while being engaging, relatable, and enthusiastic. Competing against 20 other graduate researchers who had finished in first at their respective universities throughout the Northeast, Graham placed second overall in the regional competition for her presentation, “How Close is Too Close?” Her full presentation at the regional competition is available here, starting at the 1:35:46 mark.
Next, Erica will compete in the National 3MT competition hosted by the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), competing against graduate students from across the US and Canada for the chance to win $1,500. The event will take place virtually Feb. 3, when she will provide a live version of her 3MT presentation and participate in a virtual roundtable with other students to discuss their experiences preparing for and participating in the 3MT. Graham came in first place the UAlbany 3MT in March of 2020, qualifying her for the national competition.
See Graham's presentation and acceptance speech as the People's Choice award winner at the National 3MT competition here:
“It has been an exhilarating experience,” said Graham. “The process of earning a Ph.D. at its core is a collection of acquired skills culminating in the finite advancement of one’s field of study. The ability to adequately convey scientific research to a non-specialistic audience was always a difficult skill for me to master, but a very important one, nonetheless. Placing in this competition, which was as much about technical acumen as it was about stage presence, validates that I have indeed developed the skill to effectively communicate scientific information and captivate an audience while I do so.”
As she looks back on her unique academic career here, Graham considers herself a Great Dane for life.
“I am honored that UAlbany chose me rather than the other way around. Strategically placed obstacles such as my qualifying exam, classes, preliminary defense, conferences, and overall research consistently challenged my will power and forced me to question my purpose in the program,” said Graham. “In hindsight, I have come to appreciate the non-conventional path I took to get to where I am today. I came to UAlbany to become a better researcher, but I will be leaving a better person.”
After graduating with her Ph.D. from the University at Albany, she plans to continue leading and collaborating with other researchers to advance the field of silicon photonics by developing new and emerging applications while concurrently inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals who may otherwise not be aware of the field. Semiconductor Digest recently highlighted her research and academic path in the article, “Erica Graham: An AIM Photonics Journey.”