Anna Davis smiles while wearing a Red Sox cap and holding a bouquet of flowers

Anna Davis

Image courtesy of the subject.

Graduate Student Spotlight: Anna Davis

by Danielle Doughty | Department of Chemistry |
Categories: Research, Students

Chemistry Graduate Student Anna Davis describes her research and answers 20 random questions as part of the Graduate Student Spotlight series.

Anna Davis is in her second year at MIT, and hails from Greensboro, North Carolina. A member of Professor Jeremiah Johnson‘s research group, Anna studies biological interactions with material’s topology and network defects.

“I have enjoyed lab work since introductory chemistry lab,”said Anna. “I chose to pursue a PhD because I am amazed I get to pursue novel ideas independently and contribute to broader scientific knowledge from the outset.”

As the subject of this Graduate Student Spotlight, Anna reveals the most interesting documentary she’s ever seen, the best vacation she’s ever taken, the person she’d choose to narrate her life, and more!

  1. What’s the most interesting documentary you’ve ever watched?
    Go On Be Brave! It’s about Andrea Lytle Peet, a woman living with ALS, as she takes on the challenge of 50 marathons in 50 states while living with her terminal illness. I am currently reading her book Hope Fights Back!
  2. If you were on a 27 hour flight and could only watch one movie, what would it be?
    Crazy Rich Asians. It’s the perfect plane movie. Light, fluffy, cotton candy entertainment.
  3. What bit of trivia do you know that is very interesting but also very useless?
    Former Duke men’s basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewsiki’s first formal date with his wife Mickie was a Chicago Bear’s game where he informed her she had been his third option for the date.
  4. If you were given five million dollars to open a small museum, what kind of museum would you create?
    I would open a ballet museum. I danced for a long time and the history of the styles, music, choreography, costumes, shoes is all fascinating to me.
  5. What is something that a ton of people are obsessed with but you just don’t get the point of?
    Whipped cream
  6. What is the best vacation you’ve ever taken?
    Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand when my college roommate was declared cancer free!!
  7. What did you think you would grow out of but haven’t?
    I haven’t been able to eat chocolate chocolate cake since watching Matilda in first grade.
  8. If someone narrated your life, who would you want to be the narrator?
    I think having my Mom as the narrator would be hilarious and the closest thing to reality.
  9. What was your favorite book as a child, and what is your favorite book now?
    My favorite book as a child was The Boxcar Children and now it is Les Miserables.
  10. What food do you crave most often?
    I am overly obsessed with the vegan gummy bears in the Building 18 basement vending machine at the moment.
  11. As a child, what did you think would be awesome about being an adult, but isn’t as awesome as you thought it would be?
    I thought picking my meals would be amazing when I was little, but I have found it is way less fun to meal prep and plan for the week than I thought.
  12. What piece of entertainment do you wish you could erase from your mind so that you could experience for the first time again?
    The Nutcracker. It inspired me to start dancing and I miss that magic.
  13. Who is the most famous person you have met?
    My friend from college, DeWayne Carter, plays for the Buffalo Bills now!
  14. If you could know the truth behind every conspiracy, but you would instantly die if you hinted that you knew the truth, would you want to know?
    Definitely
  15. What inconsequential super power would you like to have?
    I would looove to be able to snap my fingers to clean and tidy up my spaces.
  16. Where was the most amazing sunset you have ever seen?
    On the banks of the Pamlico River in North Carolina in the hammock where my parents got engaged (so adorable!).
  17. What’s the funniest TV show you’ve ever seen?
    Modern Family never gets old.
  18. If you suddenly became a master at woodworking, what would you make?
    A rocking chair
  19. What animal or plant do you think should be renamed, and what should the new name be?
    My little brother used to call porcupines “pokey pines” and I think that is far better.
  20. An epic feast is held in your honor, what’s on the table?
    Curry! And Maxie B’s caramel cake