How Grad Students Work Tolu Omotoso Since my research is mostly simulations, all I need is a From: Lagos, Nigeria computer and I’m ready to Studies: Civil Engineering go. My research office is set up with a desktop and two Why did you choose Purdue? screens and I have a third I chose Purdue because of 2 main reasons - the reputation as a top screen which I use with my engineering/research school and the diversity (I have met people laptop; headphones; a cloth from all over the world here). Purdue was ranked #3 in my major, painting of a lion; print out Civil Engineering, by the U.S. News College Rankings when I applied. of favorite motivational Also, I found a lot of interesting research were being carried out at quotes; a shelve where I Purdue. keep essential stuff like research articles and snacks. What is your favorite fact about Purdue? There is a nuclear reactor on campus. Very few people know about What’s your favorite to-do this. list manager? For research, pencil/paper Please briefly describe your research: is fine for short term (daily By 2050, the world will need to fed 9 billion people. This will require or weekly) tasks. That way, 60% increase in agricultural production; 40% increase in water de- I can cross off things that mands and 30% increase in energy demands. Most of these demands have been done easily. For longer term tasks I keep a digital version will come from developing nations like Nigeria. Water, energy and food with OneNote. For errands, I use the notes app on my phone. resources are intrinsically linked and these links are becoming more evident due to a changing climate. To sustainably manage demands Besides your phone and computer, what gadget can’t you live for these resources, policy makers need to understand how they are without? linked and the possible trade-offs associated with their developmental Probably my stove. I cook my meals myself most times. decisions. The Nigerian government is planning to intensify agricultur- al production and build a new hydropower dam in Niger state. Both I’d love to see ______answer these same questions. projects are in direct competition for available freshwater resources. President Barack Obama. Being the first African-American President, I’ll These trade-offs are not properly understood. This project aims at like to know how he did it. I hope I meet him someday. improving knowledge on the nexus and trade-offs between water, energy and food resources using this important food and energy pro- What are you currently reading, or what is the last thing you read ducing state in Nigeria as a case study. (aside from academic reading)? The last book I read is Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. I am currently Name one to three words that best describes your work? reading Thinking in Systems: A Primer by Donella H. Meadows. Sustainability, Interlinkages, Trade-offs. What’s your sleep routine like? Where do you spend most of your time on campus? I am an early riser. I sleep for about 5.5 hours on weekdays so I usually I spend most of my time in 2 buildings at Discovery Park. I do my go to bed around midnight and wake up latest by 5:30 am. research at the Hall of Discovery Learning & Research and carry out my duties as Special Projects Coordinator to the Energy Center in Mann How do you recharge physically and/or mentally? Hall. Playing soccer, talking to or hanging out with friends and of course sleeping. If you have free time, how do you choose to spend it? I try to use my free time for professional development. I am currently What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? studying for the Project Management Professional certification. I also One of my teachers in high school once told me “it is not he who starts do some volunteering in the community. During the Spring 2016 a project that matters but he who finishes it”. I consider this as one semester, I joined a couple of Purdue students to distribute water of the best advises I have received because it keeps me going when I and other supplies to the residents of Flint, MI. It was an awesome encounter difficult times and think about quitting. experience. What is (are) your Current mobile device/computer: career goal(s)? Galaxy S6 Active; Note. Short term career goals: work with a What apps, , or tools can’t you live without? global consulting Alarm clock, OneDrive, MS Word & Excel, Chrome, MS Outlook firm as an environ- for emails and calendaring. mental consultant. Long term goals: What’s your workspace setup like? go into politics. Maybe become President of Nigeria one day. EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS

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