Behind the Test Tube: Q&A
Liz Piedmont—Graduate Student, Partridge Group
Where is home/where did you grow up?
Batavia, NY
Why did you choose chemistry as a career?
I have always enjoyed science since high school, especially. Undergrad further confirmed my love for science. I am now able to do research with the perfect mix of chemistry and biology, and I couldn’t be happier!
Why did you choose our department? (for staff)
Even though my visitation was online, I could tell how supportive and friendly the professors were. Plus, Western New York will always be home for me!
What is your proudest accomplishment while at the UofR?
Being able to help start up a new lab. It’s difficult to be the first student in the lab because you are automatically the senior student, you set the lab culture, physically set up the lab, and have to figure out what techniques work for your project. It has been a lot of work, but it’s a unique experience that I am happy to have been a part of!
What do you like to do when not in the department?
I enjoy playing video games, especially Nintendo games!
A Rochester must?
The Seneca Park Zoo! They have a lot of animals; I especially love the seals. I also believe you can feed the giraffes!
Feast/meal of the times? Details, please!
Simply Crepes is my favorite restaurant in the Rochester area. Not only are the sweet and savory crepes delicious, the appetizers and entrees are great as well! I highly recommend the grilled cheese with tomato bisque and any sweet crepe with chocolate! Their vanilla bean ice cream is the best I’ve had, and it is the perfect balance for the dessert crepes.
An inspiring book/movie/show? We are really curious as to why!
My favorite movie “Howl’s Moving Castle.” The main character is unconfident and unsure of herself, but throughout the movie she grows into a confident, self-assured, yet kind person. Her development throughout the story is inspiring, plus, the animation and music score is beautiful!
A holiday that rocks? Care to tell us why?
I am not religious, but I love Christmas! The atmosphere and festivities are wonderful. The music, the lights, and the decorations bring me a lot of joy and nostalgia. I especially love when the snow sits on the trees, it is beautiful and magical! I also love giving gifts, and of course I love receiving them!
Care to share about a special tradition in your family/town/country?
My sister and I have started our own tradition of giving one of my brothers at joke gift for Christmas. Our person favorite joke gift was a framed photo of a gorilla my sister found at the thrift store where she signed it “Harambe” and wrote a special note from Harambe to my brother.
Fun fact or quote:
I have over 700 hours in my Animal Crossing game.
Ask me about…
Legend of Zelda or Animal Crossing!
The goal of this initiative is to highlight the diversity of backgrounds and perspectives in the Department of Chemistry and help our community develop stronger connections and synergies. You can think of these spotlights as the beginning of a conversation that we very much hope you will continue in the corridors of Hutch and beyond.
If you wish to contribute to this initiative, please complete our questionnaire.