New Graduate Students
![Apratim Jash](/content/sbio_vt_edu/en/about-us/news-publications/newsletter/newsletters-2018/winter-2018/new-graduate-students/_jcr_content/article-image.img.jpg/1532360038658.jpg)
My name is Apratim Jash, a new PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Maren Roman. I am coming from India, where I finished my Bachelor of Engineering degree, after that I joined University of Guelph at Canada to pursue master’s degree. In between my research and study whenever I get an opportunity, I love to travel or do outdoor activities. Apart from that, during my free time I love binge watching TV series, listening to music or playing video games. At Virginia Tech, my research work would focus on the utilization of surfactants to increase the surface functionality of wood specimens. I am really excited about my stay at Blacksburg and I am looking forward to making new friends.
![Yang Zhou](/content/sbio_vt_edu/en/about-us/news-publications/newsletter/newsletters-2018/winter-2018/new-graduate-students/_jcr_content/content/adaptiveimage.img.jpg/1532360187888.jpg)
My name is Yang Zhou. I was born in Tangshan, China, a city rebuilt by a miracle on the debris after the devastating earthquake in 1976. I am proud of my hometown. However, due to a strong dependence on fossil fuels, pollution issues have become severe in Tangshan. I wish
I could devote myself to the development of the sustainable energy industry by applying my theoretical knowledge and practical experience. I am a Ph.D. student and my major professor is Dr. Li Shuai