Jennifer Gil is an undergraduate studying Interdisciplinary Science at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras. She is currently working as a Lab Assistant in the Molecular Science Building in the UPR Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Research Lab with mentor Dr. Gerardo Morell and Dr. Brad Weiner. For four years she has concentrated her research work in nanotechnology, synthesizing nanomaterials and researching their application in batteries, medical instruments and distillation of water. This research enabled her to co-author the paper, “New route to the fabrication of nanocrystalline diamond films” in Journal Of Applied Physics.
Gil has Participated in four internships: 1) Smithsonian Latino Program/ Young Ambassador Program; 2) National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) SURF program; 3) American Museum of Natural History and 4) Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History NHRE program. She is an active volunteer at the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, finding new ways to integrate science in art. She was also a volunteer for the Special Olympics 2011, where she had the opportunity to work in the press area as a baseball reporter, and for which she was awarded a medal for her work in public communication by the ex-governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Fortuño.
Some of Gil’s other accomplishments include: an award for the best undergraduate oral presentation at the 2012 AGMUS Research Symposium; finalist in the FameLab competitions held December 2013 in Cal Academy San Francisco, California; and annual placement on the Natural Sciences Faculty Dean’s List for Honor Students since 2010. She is member of the Golden Key International Honor Society and was awarded Who’s Who Among Students American University and Colleges.
Gil hopes to keep working on nanotechnology research and disseminating scientific knowledge to the general public in diverse environments from museums to online videos. She wishes to help build a science museum for Puerto Rico, to inspire others to pursue and understand science.