Sherbondy Attends African Materials Institute (JUAMI) 2018
Rachel Sherbondy just returned from the Joint Undertaking for an African Materials Institute (JUAMI) 2018 program, which took place in Kampala Uganda from December 9-21. This intensive 2-week program brought together graduate students from the US, Africa, and abroad to increase collaboration between students. The program featured energy materials themed lectures, workshops, lab sessions, and even snuck in a quick safari experience! As a final part of the program, students developed proposals with their new friends and collaborators that they will act upon to maintain the relationships long after the program has ended. Rachel’s group was fortunate to win the proposal competition with their outreach program titled “Mentoring Female Students in Africa to Pursue STEM Subjects for their Future Careers” (reach out to Rachel if you 
would potentially like to be involved with this effort!). The JUAMI program will likely have 1 more workshop in ~2 years in Kenya before the founding of an institute in Africa, so be sure to keep an eye out if you would like to participate in a similar program.