Aspire Member Program: Meet the Scientists

Since 2017, the Thermo Fisher Scientific™ Aspire Member Program™ has rewarded more than 60,000 life scientists for their research contributions to the field with Thermo Fisher products. 

Learn more about some of our current program members in this Q+A where they share what they enjoy about being an Aspire member, how they have put free product to practical use in research, and their opinions on the best science-branded rewards through the years.  

Join the free Aspire Member Program at thermofisher.com/aspire* » 

 

 

Rajiv Rangan

Member Since 2022

How has your experience with the Aspire Program impacted your work in the lab?

I cannot emphasize enough how helpful the Aspire Program has been for me. Early on in my PhD I came up with a quirky idea for my thesis project, but it was not something fundable under my mentor’s grants.

When I came across the Thermo Fisher Aspire program, I was able to acquire a couple of free reagents that enabled me to carry out a few small experiments. Then, I collected some interesting preliminary data that allowed me, with the support of my mentors, to find funding for my research.

I am having a lot of fun working on a project I am passionate about in the lab, and I owe quite a bit of that to Thermo Fisher! Anytime I need to order reagents for a new protocol, I always check Thermo Fisher first.

 

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Nour Al-Muhtasib

Member Since 2017

Do you have a favorite science-branded Aspire reward?

This is a tough one. I really love the DNA hoodies. I have recently transitioned to teaching and my students love the hoodies. I go over the concept of DNA when wearing them and they enjoy it.

 

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Jessica Chang

Member Since 2018

What’s your favorite part of the Aspire Program?

All the science-themed rewards that Thermo Fisher offers to those of us working in science and research make me more excited and prouder about what I do! I can walk around in public showing everyone proudly what I do with science-themed canvas shoes! Or beaker and test tube socks! Or a science themed water bottle! Not only are the rewards adorably science-themed, but all the items are of high quality (Thermo Fisher products level high quality!) and aesthetically well designed. I’ve been eagerly telling all my friends and colleagues about the Aspire program!

 

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Gayathri Guru Murphy

Member Since 2019

Do you have a favorite science-branded Aspire reward?

The DNA hoodie. I saw it for the first time when I met the Thermo Fisher executives on my campus. My first thought when I saw it was, ‘Maybe I can be a scientist too…’

What is your favorite part of the Aspire Program?

Aspire makes science rewarding and accessible. I think telling people about Aspire has made me have conversations about my passion for science and research that I normally wouldn’t have had. It also makes molecular biology more fun.

 

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James Leatherman

Member Since 2018

What is your favorite part of the Aspire Program?

Getting hard copies of textbooks has allowed me to build a reference ‘library’ for my group.

 

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Tina Govindarajan

Member Since 2018

Do you have a favorite trial product?

I don’t have a favorite, but I love being able to explore and try new products that I would otherwise be unable to order. Having the opportunity to prove that something is a better option makes it much easier for me to make my case when it comes time to order supplies for the lab.

 

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Nam Che

Member Since 2021

How has your experience in the Aspire Program impacted your work in the lab?

Our lab absolutely loves the Aspire program. We have been able to redeem many free products and some educational rewards like the BioRender license to use in our research. This has been a significant savings for us. It has also made it easier for us to try out new products.

 

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Kristin Engevik

Member Since 2019

What is your favorite part of the Aspire Program?

Aside from earning points on lab items, I really love the ability to get free products – especially when our lab wants to try a pilot study or test out an ELISA. It helps us keep within budget and gives the opportunity to try products before we purchase. I look forward to the “anniversary” of my Aspire account so I can get another product that will help my lab mates with their experiments without breaking our budget.

 

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* For full terms, conditions, and restrictions of the program, go to thermofisher.com/aspire/tc.