Get to Know a Member – Niharika Krishna Botcha Ph.D.

Get to Know a Member – Niharika Krishna Botcha Ph.D.

1. What is your work and ACS (if applicable) title?

ACS Pittsburgh section 2023 Treasurer-elect, Webmaster and soon to be Newsletter Editor. Special Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University

2. How many years have you been in the ACS?

6 years

3. What is the biggest benefit of ACS Membership?

Getting to meet people from all walks of chemistry and life. ACS also played an instrumental role when I was a graduate student providing me with much needed help and resources.

4. What did you want to be when you were a child?

A Teacher!

5. What made you fall in love with Chemistry?

The periodic table in eighth grade! When my after school chemistry teacher introduced the periodic table and asked us to memorize it, I was at once surprised and fascinated. That was the start of my love affair with chemistry and I hope it never ends.

6. How did you get into your current position?

I came to Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon as a postdoc in 2021 and when they had an opening for a teaching position I took the chance to transition. Teaching chemistry to curious students is my dream job so I’m totally in love with my current job and position.

7. What is your favorite book and why?

Tough question! Too many to choose from but I’ll go with my all time favorite and top choice, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.