Carolyn Teall

 

SPEX CertiPrep is chemical lab located in Metuchen, NJ. This summer, I interned in the organic department as a quality control chemist. The company makes certified reference materials (CRM) that are used by other companies and organizations to verify their own products. I ran the instrumentation for gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to analyze semi-volatile organic compounds. I also prepared samples and analyzed data. The majority of the products I analyzed were pesticides and poly-nuclear aromatics. We had to follow very specific guidelines and protocols that were determined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Overall, it was a fabulous experience where I learned a lot about technique, instrument maintenance and the finer points of analytical chemistry involving semi-volatile organic compounds.