Earlier this year, VIPER hosted the second-ever VIPER Day, a now-annual tradition that celebrates graduating VIPER seniors and welcomes the alumni back for a day of research presentations, networking, and most importantly, fun. To paraphrase Prof. Andrew Rappe, VIPER hosts a zany cast of characters who, in most cases, would have never crossed paths. But through a shared interest in energy research and a willingness to take on the challenge of rigorous, interdisciplinary study, these characters find themselves in West Philadelphia doing everything from discovering new energy materials to analyzing energy finance. Having graduated from VIPER a few years ago, I find VIPER Day exciting because the event helps me remember how incredible and intense it was to be a VIPER student. I also find VIPER Day an important professional opportunity. VIPERs now find themselves as leaders across the research institutions, industries, and places involved in solving the world’s grand energy challenges. Attending VIPER Day is therefore a unique opportunity to converse with others about the future of energy.
Nhlanhla Mavuso (Class of 2026)
“I was truly inspired by our current alumni who are living the promise (to create sustainable
energy solutions) and still actively upholding the values instilled by VIPER even post graduation.
I spoke to many of the alumni, and they are actively developing critical
infrastructure and basic science to advance sustainable energy.”
This VIPER Day began with pastries and sandwiches in the VIPER Lounge, which was packed with students and alumni. Spilling out into the hallways of Chem’73, students and alumni connected and chatted. From artifacts on the walls, I could see the emerging history and growth of VIPER. Framed newspaper clippings on the wall document the beginning of VIPER. Another wall is adorned with several years of VIPER stoles, customized by every graduating class. The whiteboards were filled with homework scribbles and knick-knacks from VIPER Student Board events. One could feel how VIPER has grown from its early days as an experiment in interdisciplinary studies to an institution of undergraduate energy excellence.
Claire Zhang (Class of 2026)
“I enjoyed networking with both those in graduate school and in various industries working
on energy projects around the country. Their willingness to share advice and give me a
glimpse into their work showed me the possibilities that are available to me after
graduation. These alumni events highlighted the importance of taking advantage of
opportunities during my time as an undergraduate, and of getting as much exposure as
possible to different experiences.”
After some time, the students and alumni filtered down to the lecture hall for senior presentations. Dr. P. Roy Vagelos’ introductory speech and the senior presentations are, to my knowledge, the longest-standing tradition in VIPER and a highlight of the day. VIPER seniors presented their research and internships on topics ranging from fundamental physics to building giant “chopsticks” to grab rockets returning from space. The talks were technical yet personal, highlighting VIPER’s rich community and experience. There was a unique “VIPER” balance between deep scientific expertise and big-picture energy goals. This impression of the VIPER subculture was reinforced at lunch, where I made unexpected connections with old friends in Penn’s materials science department. I talked shop about my research until those conversations drifted to Argentinian politics and playing tennis with Prof. John Vohs.
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A short walk in sublime Spring weather led us to the Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology (VLEST). During the first VIPER Day, alumni and students toured the building, which at that time was a skeleton of concrete slabs and steel. This year, the building had walls! The new VIPER lounge, at least twice as big as the current one, sits in the corner of the first floor. My words can’t capture the acoustic quality of the building. It just feels good to be standing in the new VIPER Lounge or in the bright, airy grand entrance. Even more of a reason to see it in person during the next VIPER Day, by which the program will have moved into its new home!
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In the later afternoon, a group of VIPER alumni engaged in a panel with current students. Here, the VIPER ethos of technical yet broad perspectives rang true. We discussed topics such as “why has Norway adopted electrical vehicles faster than the United States?”, the economics of alternative fuels in the aviation industry, and photonics research at the defense prime General Dynamics. For me, this was a welcome shift in perspective. In my research, I use powerful microscopes to zoom into the atomic structure of nanomaterials, so it was delightful to zoom out and think about the larger social and techno economic driving forces behind the energy transition. As an individual researcher, I find the complexity and scale of energy challenges daunting; I am grateful that VIPER connects me with a community of experts with complementary strengths. Eventually, I think an interdisciplinary approach will yield technologically and economically feasible solutions to today’s energy challenges. Half of the panel and audience consisted of students and alumni from countries other than the United States – another strength of the VIPER community that enables an international reach, critical for global solutions. Beyond heady discussion of energy policy, the panel also took personal turns, with students benefiting from career and life advice given by the VIPER alumni.
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Andrew Ahn (Class of 2026)
“I attended part of the alumni panel, and found this event to be especially valuable in terms
of professional advice and how to approach the job market with research experience. There
was such a diverse range of careers and paths that I was able to gain perspective on a lot of
uncertainties that I am sure I will encounter in the near future. While it is important to have
a plan for the future, it is equally important to recognize that you don’t actually know what
things might change.”
Boya Zeng (Class of 2025)
“Seeing our alumni’s diverse career choices and navigation of their paths brought me
courage as I faced the uncertain future as a third-year undergraduate student. Motivated by
their contentment with their current career and career choices, I learned that the best life
decision may not need to be made the most early on and in one go.”
Lorenzo Galang (Class of 2026)
“One reassurance that I found in my conversations with alumni was that many of [the
alumni] haven’t ‘figured it out’ either, and that the feeling of not knowing what you’re
doing is something that college graduates have too.”
The final event of the evening was a cheerful reception marked by introductions from every alumnus in attendance and presentations by the VIPER Student Board and VIPER Alumni Board. The catalog of social events organized by the VIPER Student Board was impressive, from their energy-themed “Hogwarts House” system (consisting of “Solar”, “Wind”, “Hydro”, and “Geothermal” as houses) to their regular study breaks and outings. Thanks to the excellent student leaders and program staff, the VIPER community becomes more vibrant every year.
Tyler Gong (Class of 2026)
“At the end of the day, I came away with the profound sense that VIPER as both an
academic program and as a group of people carries on beyond these 4 years in college.
Even though these alumni were all different ages and worked in various different fields
(spanning many different PhD subjects to even investment banking), they could all still
come back, reminisce, and connect with the next generation of students going through
what they went through.”
I find VIPER Day a special chance for personal and professional reflection. These past two VIPER Days, I have returned inspired with a greater understanding of myself and my place in the energy ecosystem. To reconnect with old friends and meet new ones, I am looking forward to the next VIPER Day!