The Forever Impact of Zach Smith ’26

Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship.

I initially began by researching octadecylamine deposition methods, but discovered that this was a relatively unexplored field with limited specific information available. This realization led me to dive into the principles of Design of Experiments (DOE) to generate my own data and explore various techniques for depositing octadecylamine. Octadecylamine deposition is a crucial step in the development of CoreWater Technology's Core+ particle. By the end of my internship, I conducted a series of experiments that hopefully enhance the efficiency of CoreWater’s octadecylamine deposition process. These experiments also have the potential to contribute valuable insights to the field of analytical chemistry. Currently, we are still waiting for results to be generated by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) machines in order to form a conclusion.

How did Oberlin shape or influence you to pursue this internship? 

During my sophomore year, Professor Parsons helped me get into his Organic Chemistry class at the last minute, which turned out to be a great move for me. Since then, he has been incredibly supportive, helping me grasp chemistry concepts and guiding me in choosing my career path and courses for my major. His encouragement led me to pursue research opportunities this summer, especially given my limited availability for research during the school year. 

By the time I started looking, most summer research opportunities were already filled, but Professor Belitsky introduced me to an alternative option outside of Oberlin—CoreWater Technologies. At first, the internship seemed too advanced for me, but I was drawn to their mission of tackling forever chemicals and improving our drinking water. I took a chance though and after a great interview, it felt like the perfect fit, and I became excited about the opportunity to work there for the summer.

How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?

Last summer, I interned at BMO Bank as a financial analyst, which allowed me to delve into my business interests. This summer, I decided to explore my passion for science (chemistry specifically) by working with CoreWater. I hope to eventually find a way to blend these two fields, shaping a future career that integrates both disciplines.

How has the liberal arts education and way of thinking shaped how you approach science and research?

A liberal arts education may have shaped how I approached my research this summer by encouraging me to think creatively and critically about my topic. My supervisor at CoreWater Cody Flood taught me that the essence of research is running into problems while looking for information, then diligently working around these obstacles to come to conclusions. As CTO Dennis Flood (“Doc”) put it, in research you have to search, and when you can’t find what you’re looking for “you must re-search.” Designing and conducting my own DOE has empowered me to ask broader questions, think beyond conventional methods, and fully appreciate the ethical, social, and environmental implications of my work.

If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the Career Exploration & Development team to learn more about exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.