'My research experience at Cornell has been phenomenal'

Pasa Suksmith

Chemistry & Biological Sciences
Thailand

What have you accomplished as a Cornell student that you are most proud of, either inside the classroom or otherwise?

I am part of the Ando lab performing research on RNRs using structural biology techniques. My research up until the end of Fall 2022 culminated in a presentation at the American Chemical Society where I won the first place poster. My research experience at Cornell has been phenomenal, most definitely due to my PI, mentors and lab mates who have been extremely supportive and knowledgeable.

What was your favorite class and why?

Japanese —  learning Japanese has always been a dream of mine and being able to do so here at Cornell has been extremely enjoyable. Albeit the course is extremely rigorous and demanding, putting in the effort has been rewarding. Moreover, being able to interact with classmates on a daily basis meant that I gained invaluable friends over the three years that I took Japanese.

What is your main extracurricular activity and why is it important to you?

I was in the Cornell Symphony Orchestra as a cellist. To me, music is an integral part of my life and has been my main method of conveying my feelings. Although it is definitely tough to fit in all the rehearsals and practice times into my schedule, the much-needed stress-relieving nature of playing the cello has helped me to get through tough times.

How have your beliefs or perspectives changed since you first arrived at Cornell?

I feel like I came to Cornell a little unsure of what future path I would like to take, but after experiencing the different classes and opportunities available, I now have a better understanding of what I want to pursue.

Every year, our faculty nominate graduating Arts & Sciences students to be featured as part of our Extraordinary Journeys series. Read more about the Class of 2023.