Jacquie's+Bend+Research+Reflection

Jacqueline Dagostino Bend Research Reflection

First, I would like to thank you for setting up the field trip to Bend Research. It was really nice of them to show us how they do everything there. Before the field trip, I didn't know anything about what Bend Research did, so it was very helpful to get to actually see it. I was glad one of our guides was Franz. Franz and his wife are very good friends of my parents, and I've know Franz for a long time, so it was nice to see exactly what he does at work. Delighted to hear this! I think Franz is terrific. He certainly gives a good tour!

I didn't know Bend had such a large research and production facility for pharmaceuticals and I didn't realize how much work and effort goes into the production of pharmaceuticals. The guides used a lot of terms I didn't understand but it was really interesting to see the processes we have discussed in class actually being used in a chemistry setting. Also, it was really fun to see the processes we use in lab and where they are actually applied in life.

I was blown away at all of the machines, computers, and labs they have there. I found the NMR machine the most interesting; it was so big and expensive. I also found it interesting to think about all of the power it takes to run all of the machines and labs, and the cost of just running Bend Research for a day. However, I was surprised at the layout of the building and how crowded the labs and spaces seemed to be. The labs were surpisingly very cluttered and unorganized. I thought it would be cleaner and more organized than that! :) I am sure it is organized when and where it needs to be. I know a lot of chemists who are less concerned with generally being tidy....myself included!

This was a very exciting and inspirational experience. I think the field trip to Bend Research was very helpful in understanding how what we've learned in class can actually be applied outside of the classroom and possibly in a future career. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.