Eyglo Wright sat in an entry level chemistry class and witnessed a hydrogen and helium balloon demonstration burst into flames. That is when she knew chemistry was her calling. She earned her A.S. in Chemistry at Sinclair Community College and decided to continue her education to earn a B.S. She said, “I chose Wright State because it was the best fit for me."
As a mother of two young children, Wright was able to connect to campus resources that support and enrich her college experience like: daycare, undergraduate research and scholarships - she is a recipient of the Transfer Scholarship and the Honors Scholarship.
She first encountered Wright State University as a child when her father moved the family from their native Iceland so he could attend WSU and earn a graduate degree in Electrical Engineering. They returned to the university for her father to continue his education and to earn a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 2004. Wright was 19 years old when her family moved back to Iceland, which turned a dating relationship into a long-distance relationship. After 3 years, she moved back to get married in 2008. Her father's experience influenced her to attend Wright State University to complete her undergraduate education.
While at Sinclair, she was thinking about a career in nursing, then a chemistry class with Dr. Dick Jones changed everything. She started working in the chemistry stockroom setting-up labs. This experience developed into a co-op opportunity. All was going well until her second pregnancy interrupted her plans, her baby was diagnosed with a kidney disorder. But she remained dedicated to her studies. After delivery, she was discharged from the hospital at 5:00PM and at 6:00PM she was taking her organic chemistry exam and she reports that she did very well!
Time management is the key to her success and her motto is: do it now! Physical Chemistry is her current focus."Dr. David Dolson is very helpful, he sent an email before classes had started alerting students to the difficult content, I replied, asking how to prepare. Being in communications with professors is critical for success, they are there to help you," said Wright. She continues, "I don't know what I don't know, Dr. Dolson changes his approach to help tease problems out so the students understand." She encourages students to reach out to their professors during office hours, make appointments, be prepared and ask questions!
While studying quantitative analysis she met Instrumentation Specialist, Garrett Vanness. He remembers, from his time as a college student, the challenges transfer students face in transitioning from a community college to a university. Vanness recognized Wright’s intrigue with chemistry and scientific inquiry and has become a laboratory mentor. And she has purposed and interesting project to analyze a sample of ash from Iceland's 2010 volcanic eruption, to study its properties and how it differs from other ash. While the project would be very complex, they are discussing the idea as a research project for Wright.
Dr. Rachel Aga has been helpful in sharing career and citizenship advice to increase job opportunities. Wright is interested in working in a laboratory setting, possibly at P&G household product development. She is checking out graduate programs and is scheduled to graduate with her B.S. in Chemistry spring 2016.
