22 Questions for Chemistry Grad Student Clara Seo

The best-tasting water on the Caltech campus can be found in the basement of the Arthur Amos Noyes Laboratory of Chemical Physics. At least according to Clara Seo, graduate student in the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, who says she loves the H2O that emerges from the reverse osmosis water filter found there.

Seo was just featured on CCE’s Instagram page, answering 22 burning questions about the smell that most defines her research, what she does to decompress after a long day of experiments, and much more. Seo, who works in the lab of Karthish Manthiram, Bren Professor of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, explains that her work — interfacing bacteria with renewable energy to understand unique metabolisms and engineer new ways of making chemicals — is powered by her go-to lab snack: dark chocolate peanut butter cups from Trader Joe’s. Preferably frozen.

Watch the full video of Seo’s Q&A from the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Instagram page. The series is created by creative director Anya Janowski and producer Paolina Martinez.