Category: Scholarships & Fellowships

Three Chemistry Graduate Students Receive Fellowship Awards

Posted on by Leah O'Brien

three smiling peopleWe are pleased to announce that Melanie Kascoutas, Willow Davis, and Keyan Li have been selected as the recipients of this year’s UO Chemistry and Biochemistry Department doctoral fellowships.

The Haugland Fellowship is a three-year, graduate fellowship and tuition award presented every three years to an outstanding graduate student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The award was established by Dr. Rosaria Haugland in 2004.

The Keana Fellowship is an annual graduate fellowship awarded to outstanding graduate students in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The award was established in 2017 by Dennis and Janet Beetham in honor of Professor Emeritus John Keana.

We asked our 2024 recipients to tell us a little about themselves and their science.

a smiling personMelanie Kascoutas

Haugland Fellowship

I grew up in San Marcos, California, and spent my summers enjoying the sunshine and beaches. In elementary and middle school, I found my passion for STEM courses. I discovered my fascination with chemistry in my junior year of high school during my AP Chemistry course. I enjoyed the challenging nature of the content and found the scientific rationale fascinating, which made me eager to learn more.

I received my BS in Chemistry from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA. My favorite courses were the organic series, taught by Dr. Palandoken, and physical organic chemistry, taught by Dr. Kantorowski. These courses exposed me to the world of organic mechanisms. I quickly developed a passion for solving organic mechanisms since they felt like my favorite puzzles. I also had the pleasure of performing undergraduate research with Dr. Haynes, which sparked my interest in organometallics and troubleshooting reaction optimization. The culmination of these experiences led me to apply for graduate school and pursue a PhD in chemistry, something I never imagined I would be capable of doing when I was younger.

I decided that I wanted to continue exploring my passion for reaction mechanisms, and in doing so, I started graduate school at UO in the fall of 2021. With each milestone I hit, I am reminded of the immense amount of knowledge I’ve gained and the confidence I’ve developed to call myself a scientist. As I dive deeper into chemistry, I continue to find strength and resilience I’d never dreamt was possible.

My Research  I’m a 4th-year PhD candidate in the Amanda Cook lab. My research focuses on designing nickel and palladium catalysts to transform organic molecules into more desirable products. Applications of my research extend to improving the syntheses of commodity chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals. I am particularly interested in creating catalysts that are simple to use and highly efficient. Oftentimes, organic reactions become fairly complex with many “ingredients” and challenging technical steps. My goal is to create robust catalysts that can be handled in air or recycled for future uses. I am currently developing a heterogeneous palladium catalyst for hydroamination reactions to synthesis bioactive compounds. My favorite aspect of my research is performing mechanistic experiments because you can only disprove potential reaction pathways based on the evidence you gather. By process of elimination, you can determine the most likely reaction mechanism.

What’s Next?  I’m open to future career plans, but I do miss my sunshine and hope to move back to California. During my undergraduate studies, I had the wonderful opportunity to intern at biotechnology companies in San Diego. One path that I envision is becoming an industry scientist and helping solve problems that directly impact society.

Another path I could see myself pursuing is teaching. I would be honored to encourage young women and underrepresented people to pursue advanced degrees in chemistry. As I continue to mentor students in the lab, my heart grows fonder of mentorship; it’s extremely rewarding to assist others in building confidence with learning challenging techniques.

I’m extremely grateful to have won this award! I’m looking forward to spending more time investing in my research and mentoring the younger students in the Cook lab. I’d like to give a special thank you to my advisor, Dr. Amanda Cook for her guidance and encouragement for helping me develop as a chemist. I’m also grateful for my thesis committee for continuously believing in me and assisting me through difficult periods of graduate school. Lastly, I’d like to thank my UO friends (Alison, Katelyn, & Allison) and fiancée, Nick, for their endless support and lifting me up when I feel down. I wouldn’t have been able to receive this award without the support of those around me.

a smiling personWillow Davis

Keana Fellowship

I grew up in Union, Kentucky and attended Northern Kentucky University, just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio, for my undergraduate degrees in Chemistry and Theatre. While in undergrad I worked in a physical chemistry lab under Prof. Charlisa Daniels, where I got my first taste of independent research and was given incredible support and encouragement to pursue my PhD. I started at UO during the summer of 2020 and am currently a fifth-year graduate student. During my time at UO I have been very involved in mentorship and community building within both our chemistry department, and across STEM, generally. While working towards my PhD, I was President of UO’s Women in Graduate Science (WGS) organization and have been heavily involved in outreach both through WGS and outside. Some of my favorite outreach activities have been Valley Catholic Middle School’s Women in STEM Day and presenting my research during the Lane Community College Graduate Student Lecture Series through UO’s Alliance for Diversity in STEM and Engineering (ADSE).

My Research  In the Darren Johnson lab my research is focused on better understanding the assembly of large, cyclic, sulfur-bearing molecules using pnictogen-assisted self-assembly methods developed in our lab. These types of molecules have been finding increasing value for use in applications like targeted drug release, and for sensing biological disease states and environmental contaminants like PFA/PFOA “forever chemicals”. By better understanding how to make these molecules, and how they interact with their environment, we can design more effective molecules for real world applications.

What’s Next? I am planning to defend my PhD in the spring of 2025 and am currently applying for a post-doc position in the areas of chemical biology and supramolecular chemistry. After completing a post-doc I hope to stay in academia and run my own research program. I am very excited to continue mentoring students, teaching, and exploring new areas of science!

I am so grateful to have been awarded the Keana Fellowship this year! Huge thanks to Darren for all of his support and guidance over the past four years, and to my lab mates. Thank you as well to my incredible friends, who inspire me every day, and our chemistry faculty and staff, without whom our research wouldn’t be possible.

a smiling personKeyan Li

Keana Fellowship

I grew up in Chengdu, China and moved to Sacramento, California, in 2013 to study abroad. After graduating high school, I attended the University of California, Davis, to pursue my bachelor’ degree in chemistry. Post-graduation in 2017, I started my PhD studies in Chemistry at the University of Oregon. Conducting chemistry research so far has been a truly rewarding experience. I feel incredibly privileged to have worked with many outstanding mentors and colleagues that have taught me to think about science critically and to come up with creative solutions for challenging problems in the field.

My Research  I am a rising fourth year graduate student in Professor Mike Pluth’s research group. My research broadly focuses on understanding the roles of reactive sulfur and selenium species such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and hydrogen selenide (H2Se), which play critical roles in human health. In particular, I am developing small molecular models of these biologically relevant reactive species to study their interactions with metal ions central to life and other important biological targets.

What’s Next?  I plan on pursuing a postdoctoral position after graduation and ultimately seeking a faculty position at a research-intensive institution.

I am incredibly honored to have received the Keana Fellowship, and I am grateful to Mike, members of the Pluth group, other faculty members and research staff for their support over the years.

Meet our 2024 Chemistry and Biochemistry Undergrad Scholarship Recipients!

Posted on by Leah O'Brien

seven smiling people and UO Chemistry and Biochemistry logo

The Chemistry and Biochemistry department is pleased to introduce the recipients of our 2024 undergraduate scholarships! The department offers five annual scholarships for our undergraduate majors, with the application and selection process taking place each spring.

This years’ recipients are Helen Davis, Lilliana Granados, Amelia Kotamarti, Hannah Novak, Logan Russo, Cherish Sparling, and Waverly Wilson.

a smiling personHelen Davis

Anita and Friedhelm Baitis Scholarship

I grew up in Washington all my life before attending the University of Oregon in 2021. I am in my senior year at the UO this year and will be graduating with a major in chemistry this upcoming spring. I have always enjoyed science mostly thanks to the wonderful teachers and professors I have had in my beginning years of education. I enjoy the hands-on aspect of science and the idea that I am working to better the world. Research inspires my curiosity and allows me to learn more about the workings of everything around me.

My Research  I have been conducting research in the DWJ lab for a little over a year working under the mentorship of Willow Davis. The DWJ lab conducts research in many different disciplines in organic and inorganic syntheses to create supramolecular tools to study host-guest relationships, self-assembly methods, and environmentally friendly coatings. I have been mostly working with a series of halogen substituted macrocycles to optimize conditions in coupling reactions which will be used to eventually append water solubilizing groups. These macrocycles, once soluble in water, can be used in host-guest interactions for detecting heavy metals or anions in water. My future research will include working with further optimizations of adding water solubilizing groups to a methyl benzoate macrocycle derivative and working to better understand self-assembly methods within the system.

What’s next?  After graduation, I hope to attend an accelerated master’s program which will allow me more educational and industry experience to set me up for a career. In the future, I hope to find a field in which I find interesting and rewarding that can positively impact our world.

I am extremely honored to be chosen for this award and would like to thank Darren Johnson for nominating me and allowing me the opportunity to dive into research. I would also like to thank Willow Davis for being my mentor and guiding me in my research. This past summer in lab has been so beneficial in allowing me to grow my confidence and technical abilities in lab, and I am thankful for all my mentors and lab mates.

The Anita and Friedhelm Baitis Scholarship provides funding for two undergraduate students to conduct research during the summer in a chemistry or biochemistry laboratory at the University of Oregon, under the mentorship of a Chemistry and Biochemistry department faculty member. 

a smiling personLilliana Granados

Percy Julian Scholarship

I was born and raised in Somona County, California, and later moved to Oregon when I was 16 years old. As of this year, I will be entering my fourth year at UO as a Biochemistry major and Spanish minor. I started my science journey wanting to pursue a career in medicine. However, after exploring countless opportunities at UO and working in labs, I have discovered that my passion is chemical biology research. I am interested in the development and synthesis of chemical tools to help visualize and characterize biological processes. The idea of developing novel tools and playing a crucial role in progressing biological knowledge inspires me to continue down this path.

My Research  I currently work in the Cook Lab. The lab does primarily organometallic chemistry, with a focus on homogenous and heterogeneous catalysis. I initially joined the lab Fall term of my second year and look forward to continuing to work there for a third year. Last year, I worked under the mentorship of graduate student Melanie Kascoutas designing a catalytic system for an isomerization reaction. Using a previously synthesized nickel catalyst, I optimized the conditions for isomerization of various alkene substrates to develop a reaction scheme that is bench-top safe and efficient in a single pot. This year, I hope to begin my own project and start pursuing a research question independently. I am interested in heterogenous catalysis and wish to continue to expand upon my previous research.

What’s Next?  This fall, I plan on continuing my education and applying to several Chemical Biology Ph.D. programs. My long-term goal is to work in industry developing and synthesizing chemical tools that can be used within biological systems. Ideally, I wish to work closely with pharmaceutical chemists to identify new therapeutic targets. By pursuing these new targets, I hope to improve current therapeutics and develop new medications for rare illnesses.

I would like to thank the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry for selecting me for this award. I would also like to thank the Percy Julian award sponsors for creating this opportunity for under-represented students. I am so thankful to have experienced undergraduate research in the Cook Lab, and to have worked with amazing mentors who have helped shape me into the scientist I am today. I am excited for what the future holds and look forward to continuing my education at UO.

The Percy Julian Scholarship seeks to support talented undergraduate scientists in their pursuit of a career in chemistry and recognizes their contributions to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM and their potential for further academic achievement.

a smiling personAmelia Kotamarti

Kuntz-Swinehart Memorial Scholarship

I’m originally from Portland, OR, but I’ve loved living in Eugene for the past couple of years. I’m entering my third year at UO as a Biochemistry major and CHC student, and I’m pursuing minors in Global Health, Science Communication, and Music. Throughout my time at UO, I’ve discovered a passion for the way that molecular biology and biomedicine are utilized to create real-world solutions to health problems across the globe.

My Research  My first exposure to lab research was through the Schultz Lab, at OHSU’s Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry. I worked there for two summers, studying phosphoinositides, which are key signaling lipids that have been heavily implicated in various cancers. During my first year at UO, I joined the Harms lab, which studies the biophysical evolution of innate immune proteins. Over this past summer, I have been working on an independent project, attempting to elucidate the molecular interaction between the TLR4, an immune system receptor, and an inflammatory molecule called S100A9.

What’s Next?  I am passionate about the way that molecular biology is used to affect real public and global health issues and crises, and I would like to pursue these passions by getting a graduate education in both molecular biology and public health. While I don’t know my exact career path, I am exploring what my role might be by committing myself to an interdisciplinary undergraduate education, looking at complex health-related issues from the perspective of biochemical research and liberal arts coursework.

I want to thank all of my professors, mentors, and peers who have supported me over the past two years, especially Mike Harms and all of the Harms lab members who have created such an encouraging and engaging lab environment. I am honored to have been chosen for this award, and I want to express my gratitude to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry for their support during my academic journey. I’m excited for the next two years!

The Kuntz-Swinehart Memorial Scholarship recognizes academic excellence in our majors, and was established by former UO Chemistry students in honor of two professors whose instruction, influence and inspiration had a significant impact on their career paths.

a smiling personHannah Novak

Anita and Friedhelm Baitis Scholarship

I am starting my senior year at the University of Oregon. I grew up in Danville, California, where my interest in science began. I was always most interested in my science classes, like biology, chemistry, as well as anatomy and physiology. When applying to colleges, I was unsure of what field I wanted to pursue, but my grandpa sat me down with some National Geographic magazines and told me to choose which articles interested me most. I found the stories about novel drug remedies and medical research breakthroughs to be inspiring, which led me to choosing biochemistry as my field of study. I hope to be on the front lines of a new drug discovery or helping to develop medicines while working in the pharmaceutical industry one day.

My Research   I have been working in the Rapp Lab for a year now, and I have learned so much about science. My research involves developing a self-illuminating drug delivery mechanism. By adding a small molecule to the system, we can achieve highly targeted and on demand drug delivery from this self-illuminating material.

What’s Next?  After graduating, I hope to attend graduate school, where I will pursue a PhD in chemistry or biochemistry. I hope that with my education, I will be able to be a part of a mission that will serve the greater good of the world.

I would like to thank Dr. Teresa Rapp for nominating me for this award. I could not have wished for a greater PI and mentor. Working in the Rapp Lab has afforded me with new skills, opportunities, independence, and a greater love of science. I also thank my peers in the Rapp Lab for making my experience unforgettable, and I am excited for what’s to come.

The Anita and Friedhelm Baitis Scholarship provides funding for two undergraduate students to conduct research during the summer in a chemistry or biochemistry laboratory at the University of Oregon, under the mentorship of a Chemistry and Biochemistry department faculty member. 

a smiling personLogan Russo

P-Chem Summer Research Fellowship

I am a senior majoring in chemistry from Salem, Oregon. Since high school, I have been fascinated with medical imaging and the instrumentation used by radiologists. This fascination evolved into my passion for chemistry during my first term at UO. I hope to eventually study the intersection of physical chemistry and the human body, potentially through medical research.

My Research  I joined the Wong Lab in the fall of my freshman year under the mentorship of Laila Nawab. As an undergraduate researcher, I began studying perovskite nanocrystals, which are a promising class of materials for light emitting devices. I have used both experimental and computational techniques to investigate these materials; this summer, I have been developing a synthesis for mixed-halide perovskites while building a Python simulation to predict ion migration during illumination. The goal of my work is to understand halide migration with hopes of optimizing perovskite nanocrystals for LEDs.

What’s Next?  I plan on continuing in education after graduating from UO next summer. I hope to either attend graduate school to receive my PhD in chemistry, or medical school to fulfill my dreams of becoming an interventional radiologist. In both cases, I’m excited to apply my background in physical chemistry in pursuit of higher education.

I’m very honored to receive this award. I am thankful to everyone at the UO who has supported me in my academic endeavors for the past three years. I am grateful to the Wong Lab for giving me such an excellent research experience, particularly Cathy Wong, Laila Nawab, and Zach Walbrun. Go Ducks!

The P-Chem Undergraduate Fellowship provides funding for students to conduct research during the summer in a physical chemistry lab at the University of Oregon, under the mentorship of a physical chemistry faculty member.

a smiling personCherish Sparling

P-Chem Summer Research Fellowship

I went to high school in Lebanon Oregon. I am a chemistry major going into my 4th year at UO, having started in fall 2021. Science gives us the opportunity to never stop learning and developing what we already know. There is space in science to be creative and explore while also understanding the fundamental concepts that make our world work.

My Research  I am in Marina Guenza’s lab and am new to researching, having started winter term of my 3rd year. My research delves into polymers, which are big chain-like molecules that make up many plastics and other common materials, like some clothing. Specifically, we look at how polymers interact and in turn how they move at different time intervals. This is done computationally through simulations of these polymers and subsequent analysis of the movement during these simulations, including quantitative methods.

What’s Next?  I plan to go into industry, and my desire would be to work with environmental efforts to help study and create solutions for climate change. Another option I would enjoy would be to work with optics and lenses as that is a specific field I enjoy a lot, too.

I am thankful for the opportunity this award grants me and for the guidance of Marina Guenza, to be able to have experience with research, and to work with a great team of people who continue to teach me a lot as I work on finishing my undergraduate degree and move on to the next stages of my career. I have had an incredible experience with the faculty at UO and have received a tremendous amount of support in my academic journey.

The P-Chem Undergraduate Fellowship provides funding for students to conduct research during the summer in a physical chemistry lab at the University of Oregon, under the mentorship of a physical chemistry faculty member.

a smiling personWaverly Wilson

 Faith Van Nice Scholarship

I am a fourth year student from Pleasanton, CA, a small town in the Bay Area. I am part of the University of Oregon’s Clark Honors College, studying chemistry with a minor in bioengineering. I have always loved science because it allows for the exploration of the unknown. I strive to use research and my scientific knowledge to make a positive impact on the world. I have always been fascinated with how the biological sciences can develop solutions that enhance the lives of humans. I understand that the human body is an interconnected system, and knowing that, I believe an interdisciplinary approach to research leads to the most impactful outcomes.

My Research   I have been conducting protein engineering research in Parisa Hosseinzadeh’s Lab at the UO Knight Campus since the beginning of my second year. In this lab, I am exploring the creation of de novo protein inhibitors to gain a deeper understanding of protein-protein interactions in a cell. I began my research journey in high school with biotechnology courses and knew that it was what I wanted to pursue. In the summer after my first year, I interned in the Doherty Lab at North Carolina State University studying the effects of external stressors on Arabidopsis plants. In the summer after my second year, I participated in UO’s iGEM team and learned about the importance of collaboration and respect in research. Over the past summer, I was a Summer Student in the Vienna BioCenter Summer School program where I was a member of Silvia Ramundo’s lab exploring key players in the chloroplast unfolded protein response.

What’s next?  I believe that the scientific community needs diverse perspectives and collaboration across geographic borders for the world to solve its biggest challenges. Due to this, I hope to continue to travel and conduct research around the world. My professional goals include completing a Ph.D., and with that, the opportunity to be exposed to a broad range of research areas. In the short term, I will be writing and defending my thesis this year.

I want to thank the selection committee for choosing me for this award. Faith’s journey resonates with me and her accomplishments inspire me to continue to peruse research. I am deeply honored to be conducting research at the University of Oregon with the help of the Faith Van Nice Scholarship. I am grateful for all my professors and peers who continuously support me.

The Faith Van Nice Scholarship is dedicated to the legacy of alumna Faith Van Nice, and recognizes exceptional UO undergraduate students majoring in Chemistry or Biochemistry.

Chemistry PhD candidate Justin Svendsen receives NIH Fellowship

Posted on by Leah O'Brien

person wearing a rust-colored sweatshirt

Meet our 2023 Chemistry and Biochemistry Scholarship Recipients!

Posted on by Leah O'Brien
Nadia Barnard
Mayurika Bhaskar
Ethan Busi
Michaela Cheechov
Nick Frainey
Logan Russo

The Chemistry and Biochemistry department is pleased to introduce the recipients of our 2023 undergraduate scholarships! The department offers five annual scholarships for our undergraduate majors, with the application and selection process taking place each spring.

This years’ recipients are Nadia Barnard, Mayurika Bhaskar, Ethan Busi, Michaela Cheechov, Nick Frainey and Logan Russo.

image: Nadia BarnardNadia Barnard

Anita and Friedhelm Baitis Scholarship

I’ve lived in Eugene for the past 8 years, but spent my early childhood in San Diego, California. I am going into my junior year as a Chemistry major in the Clark Honors College. I have always wanted to pursue a career in science because I love the way it challenges me and inspires me to contribute to improving the environment. As my studies advance, I continue to enjoy learning and researching chemistry at the University of Oregon.

My Research  I joined the Boettcher Lab for Electrochemistry in the spring of my freshman year and have been working diligently ever since. My general focus is to use electricity to push chemical reactions forward and measure the interfacial kinetics by which this occurs. I entered the lab under the mentorship of Kira Thurman as a student in the general chemistry research immersion lab class, learning about electrochemical copper corrosion. Currently, I am mentored by graduate student Nick D’Antona, studying ion transfer over immiscible liquid-liquid and solid-liquid interfaces. I recently began independent research, focused on defining a model system of proton transfer between a thin-film tungsten oxide electrode and different proton donor sources. Tungsten oxide is being explored in certain energy storage and photovoltaic systems, so it is imperative to consider the characteristics of its ion transfer kinetics.

What’s next?  In my final year of undergraduate, I hope to concurrently pursue a master’s degree and an additional internship in electrochemistry through the Oregon Center for Electrochemistry’s AMP (Accelerated Master’s Program). Following this, I plan to pursue a doctorate degree in chemistry and continue on to work in the renewable energy industry. Overall, I am determined to use my chemistry studies to contribute to developing technology that leaves a positive impact on the environment.

Undergraduate research has been my favorite part of going to the University of Oregon and it was a great honor to perform research this summer in the name of the Anita and Friedhelm Baitis foundation. I thank my scholarship donors immensely for gifting me the chance to perform research this summer. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Shannon Boettcher, lab members, professors, and the chemistry department staff for supporting my endeavors.

The Anita and Friedhelm Baitis Scholarship provides funding for two undergraduate students to conduct research during the summer in a chemistry or biochemistry laboratory at the University of Oregon, under the mentorship of a Chemistry and Biochemistry department faculty member. 

image: Mayurika BhaskarMayurika Bhaskar

Percy Julian Scholarship

My name is Mayurika Bhaskar and I am a senior at the University of Oregon’s Clark Honors College double majoring in Biochemistry and Data Science with a domain emphasis in Biology. I was raised in Portland, Oregon, and have lived there for most of my life. One of my first fascinations in science was in epigenetics/genetics because it showed the power of how the smallest changes in one’s genetic code and/or environment can leave the biggest of impacts on their life. This pattern of seeing how the smaller molecular components worked together to accomplish important, complex biochemical processes fueled my curiosity for science and my ambitions to become a physician. My study of the sciences has given me a lens to better appreciate my body and the intricate processes it undergoes to keep me alive and healthy. Additionally, it informs my view of my other academic passions such as literary analysis and coding because I can study them from a “scientific” perspective and glean unique, meaningful insights.

My research  I am currently at the Ambati Lab at the UO’s Knight Campus during the school year, and at the Grossberg Lab at OHSU’s Cell, Developmental, and Cancer Biology (CDCB) Department over the summer. I have been with the Ambati Lab for approximately 3 years and the Grossberg Lab for the past 2 summers. At the Ambati Lab, I have been studying the effects of common eye diseases like Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy, or FECD, through mouse models by characterizing changes in the cornea. At the Grossberg Lab, I study the effects of IL6 on cancer cachexia (muscle wasting away that cannot be regained via nutritional supplementation) in pancreatic cancer mice and myotube models. Both forms of research are meant to further advance medical care in their respective fields by studying small but significant molecular changes.

What’s Next? After graduating, I plan on attending medical school and becoming a physician specializing in either oncology or endocrinology. During my immediate post-grad, I will work within the medical field, volunteer at local organizations, and organize with the global health grassroots organization Partners in Health (PIH) to implement and change healthcare policy both nationally and internationally. My goal is to be a physician who can apply modern advancements in clinical research to aid society’s most marginalized through high-quality medical care and to progress global health via advocacy work in healthcare policy.

I would like to thank the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry for selecting me for this award. It is an honor and I plan to take the pioneering and courageous spirit of Percy Julian with me throughout my entire academic and professional career. I would also like to extend my immense gratitude to the professors, graduate students, and classmates I have had, and everyone at the Ambati and Grossberg labs for helping me cultivate my curiosity and passion for clinical research and medicine.

The Percy Julian Scholarship seeks to support talented undergraduate scientists in their pursuit of a career in chemistry and recognizes their contributions to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM and their potential for further academic achievement.

image: Ethan BusiEthan Busi

Faith Van Nice Scholarship

I am a junior from Portland, OR, studying biochemistry and human physiology and will graduate in 2025. Science has allowed me to explore the world at its most fundamental level, a series of chemical and biological building blocks. Studying biochemistry and human physiology has revealed a complex, fascinating, and mysterious side of the human body. I will strive to expand my knowledge of the biochemical aspects of the human body and apply the knowledge to promote health at UO.

My Research  As a third year, I will join the Hansen Lab to investigate how our white blood cells make decisions in their environment by exploring cell singling mechanisms. What are the significant players that allow white blood cell migrations toward threats, and how do they regulate one another? A better understanding of our immune systems can lead to new therapeutics that utilize immune cells to combat infection, inflammation, and cancer.

What’s Next?  I will continue to explore how the human body works from a biochemical lens while enhancing my knowledge within the human physiology classes at UO. I will develop a thesis for the Clark Honors College in the Hansen lab, where I will strive to develop critical thinking skills that allow me to succeed in medical school, where I am currently inspired to become a radiologist.

I want to thank the selection committee for choosing me for this award. Reading about Faith Van Nice and her outstanding accomplishments leaves me honored and motivates me to conduct research and attend medical school. I am also grateful to my professors and peers for supporting me, and I am excited to continue my education at UO.

The Faith Van Nice Scholarship is dedicated to the legacy of alumna Faith Van Nice, and recognizes exceptional UO undergraduate students majoring in Chemistry or Biochemistry.

image: Michaela CheechovMichaela Cheechov

P-Chem Summer Research Fellowship

I’ve lived in Portland, Oregon my whole life, and I am going into my third year here at UO. Going into high school, I actually thought I didn’t like science, and wanted to be a social science teacher. However, after I took my first real physics class, I fell in love with STEM and decided to pursue it in college. I am now majoring in physics and planning a minor in bioengineering. Something that inspires me about science is just how many problems we have solved so far, and how many we have yet to even discover. The way that science is always changing and evolving is one of my favorite things about it, and I love being a part of this change through research.

My Research  I currently work in the Guenza lab, a physical chemistry group. I started sitting in on group meetings during my first year here and became an active member of the group during my second. The focus of my work is using molecular dynamics computer simulations to simulate protein dynamics. We use a variety of methods including coarse graining, a method where we simplify the proteins to make the simulations significantly faster, and atomistic simulations where we simulate the protein in its entirety. During my time as a fellow, my focus will be on simulating and coarse graining alanine dipeptide.

What’s Next?  After I finish my undergraduate degree, I hope to attend graduate school, either in medical physics or biophysics. I would love to pursue research as my career, but also would like to see my work directly benefit people in a clinical setting, so I hope to find a balance between these passions.

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity this award has provided me and would like to thank Dr. Guenza for introducing me to the world of research and helping me navigate it, as well as all the other members of the Guenza group for supporting me on this journey.

The P-Chem Undergraduate Fellowship provides funding for students to conduct research during the summer in a physical chemistry lab at the University of Oregon, under the mentorship of a physical chemistry faculty member.

image: Nick FraineyNick Frainey

Baitis Summer Research Fellowship

I grew up in Beaverton, Oregon, my whole life and came to the UO in the fall of 2020. I’m now a senior majoring in chemistry. I’ve always been fascinated by knowing how and why the world around us behaves on a molecular and atomistic level, and chemistry really scratches that itch for me. I was inspired to pursue chemistry by my high school chemistry teacher, Ms. Farrell, who made learning chemistry an absolute treat.

My Research  I have been doing research in the Wong Lab for close to a year now under the mentorship of Zach Walbrun. My research is focused on exploring the optical and electronic properties of materials with applications to organic photovoltaics. My project is primarily focused on copper phthalocyanine, a well-studied, solution-processable electron donor material. We study how materials behave as they are deposited into thin films through the use of in situ spectroscopy techniques, with the primary goal of exploring novel photophysical behavior as the molecules aggregate.

What’s Next?  After graduation, I plan on pursuing a PhD in chemistry, likely with a focus on environmental chemistry or the study of renewable energy sources. I’ve always wanted whatever I end up doing to have a tangible impact on the world around me and I know that furthering my education in graduate school puts me on the right path to achieve that goal!

I am extremely grateful to Cathy Wong for not only nominating me for this fellowship, but also for giving me the opportunity to do research in the Wong Lab this past year. I would also like to thank Zach Walbrun for the mentorship and guidance he has provided, along with the rest of the Wong Lab and my professors for their teachings and support during my time at the UO.

The Anita and Friedhelm Baitis Scholarship provides funding for two undergraduate students to conduct research during the summer in a chemistry or biochemistry laboratory at the University of Oregon, under the mentorship of a Chemistry and Biochemistry department faculty member. 

The Kuntz-Swinehart Memorial Scholarship recognizes academic excellence in our majors, and was established by former UO Chemistry students in honor of two professors whose instruction, influence and inspiration had a significant impact on their career paths.

image: Logan RussoLogan Russo

 Kuntz-Swinehart Memorial Scholarship

I am a junior majoring in Chemistry from Salem, Oregon. My passion for science stemmed from my childhood dream of joining the medical field. Wanting to become a radiologist, imaging techniques and instruments sparked my interest in physical chemistry. I aspire to eventually study the intersection of the two fields, possibly through medical research.

My Research  I joined the Wong Lab in the Fall of my freshman year, using ultrafast spectroscopy to investigate lead halide perovskite nanocrystals, a promising candidate for LEDs. Since then, I have become the head user of the Small Angle X-Ray Scattering instrument, and started creating a simulation which predicts ion migration in mixed-halide perovskites. The goal of my research is to better understand this potential material for new, efficient light emitting devices.

What’s next?  After graduating from the UO, I will pursue a higher education. I will likely attend graduate school to receive a PhD, or potentially pursue my dreams of becoming an interventional radiologist through medical school. Either way, I plan to use my background in physical chemistry to improve the health of people from around the world.

I’m extremely honored to have been chosen for this award. I am thankful for all of those at the UO who have supported me in my academics and research these past two years, especially the members of the Wong Lab. I look forward to the rest of my time at the university and applying these skills after I graduate. Go Ducks!

Gaby Bailey receives 2023 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Award

Posted on by Leah O'Brien

photo: Gaby BaileyUO Chemistry graduate student Gaby Bailey has been selected to receive a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Gaby is a 2nd year doctoral student in the Jasti Lab.

Gaby’s Research: The Jasti lab synthesizes cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs) which have unique optical properties. Gaby’s project involves systematically altering the size, electronic modulating groups, and the strain induced on these electronic modulating groups to study the effects on the fluorescence emission of these materials. This information will further inform on how to tune the optical properties of CPPs. Brightly fluorescent materials with tunable optical properties can be envisioned to play a role in biological imaging as well as in new light emitting materials.

About the Award: The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) seeks to ensure the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited United States institutions. Fellowships provide the recipients with a three-year annual stipend of $37,000 along with a $12,000 cost of education allowance for tuition and fees (paid to the institution), as well as access to opportunities for professional development available to NSF-supported graduate students.

 

 

Meet our 2022 Chemistry and Biochemistry Scholarship Recipients!

Posted on by Leah O'Brien
William Jackson
Esther Mozipo
Maisie Topping
Nicolas Nguyen
Sarah Peabody
Lily Miller

The Chemistry and Biochemistry department is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2022 undergraduate scholarships! The department offers five annual scholarships for our undergraduate majors, with the application and selection process taking place each spring.

This years’ recipients are William Jackson, Esther Mozipo, Maisie Topping, Nicolas Nguyen, Sarah Peabody, and Lily Miller. We asked them to tell us a little bit about themselves and their research.

The Kuntz-Swinehart Memorial Scholarship recognizes academic excellence in our majors, and was established by former UO Chemistry students in honor of two professors whose instruction, influence and inspiration had a significant impact on their career paths.

photo - William Jackson
William Jackson
Kuntz-Swinehart Recipient

William Jackson

I am a senior majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Biology. I am originally from Redwood City, California, but I spent a lot of time in San Francisco growing up! I first became interested in science when I wanted to understand more about nutrition and how our dietary choices impact our bodies. In doing so, I became fascinated with the application of scientific discovery to human health and wellness. Today, I am most interested in understanding the complexities of life at the molecular level in hopes of contributing to our understanding and treatment of disease.

My Research: I have been working in the Garcia Lab since October of 2020. Under the mentorship of David Garcia and Ethan Shaw, I have been exploring the capacity for human proteins to assume alternate conformations as a way of adapting to environmental stressors and providing a mechanism of protein-based inheritance. During my time in the Garcia Lab, I have learned countless new skills that will continue to serve me as I continue my career in science.
What’s next? 
Upon finishing my undergraduate degree at the UO, I plan on pursuing a career in biomedical research, as I am most interested in how we can apply what we learn about life on the molecular level to improving human health. In order to pursue this career, I plan on applying to graduate school with the hopes of earning a Ph.D.

It is an honor to receive this award and I am extremely grateful for all of the opportunities I have had available to me at the UO. Go Ducks!

The Percy Julian Scholarship seeks to support talented undergraduate scientists in their pursuit of a career in chemistry and recognizes their contributions to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM and their potential for further academic achievement.

photo - Esther Mozipo
Esther Mozipo, Percy Julian Scholarship Recipient

Esther Mozipo

My name is Esther and I’m from Portland Oregon. I started at UO in the fall of 2019 and I’m a now a senior. The thing about science that has always amazed me is that the concepts of chemistry I learned in middle school are just as important as the topics I learn in upper division classes in discovering new things about chemistry.

My research:  I am in the Hettiaratchi Lab and I’ve been there for about a year. The Hettiaratchi lab is in the Knight Campus which is focused on interdisciplinary research and is one of the main reasons I decided to join the lab. My research focuses on using chemistry to make hydrogels that can help heal bones, and using biology to ensure that those hydrogels can support cell life.

What’s next? I’ve been conducting research for less than a year and I know there’s so much left for me to learn, and I plan to pursue a PhD in bioengineering so I can deepen my understanding of the principles that govern the research I’m doing now. At the end of the day, I want to be able to use my skills to serve those who are traditionally overlooked. My goal is to use bioengineering to make advances in women’s fertility and health.

The Faith Van Nice Scholarship is dedicated to the legacy of alumna Faith Van Nice, and recognizes exceptional UO undergraduate students majoring in Chemistry or Biochemistry.

Photo - Maisie Topping
Maisie Topping, Faith Van Nice Scholarship Recipient

Maisie Topping

I grew up in Portland and am a senior here at UO studying biochemistry and French. I have known I wanted to study biochemistry since I took AP chemistry my junior year of high school and absolutely loved it. Learning science is so cool because I walk through the world with a sort of double vision; I have what my eyes and ears are sensing about my surroundings, but I also have this knowledge of the processes underlying the things most of us take for granted. I love understanding why and how things are the way they are, and chemistry is the perfect amount of nitty-gritty that still feels incredibly connected to the world around me.

My research: I joined the Nolen lab at the very beginning of my second year here, so this September will mark 2 years in research. Our lab studies the biochemistry of the actin cytoskeleton, a complex structural system in eukaryotic cells that is vital to a huge number of cellular functions. Notably, deregulation of the actin cytoskeleton has been linked to a variety of diseases, including cancer. Previous work in the lab has characterized several families of small organic molecules that inhibit the assembly of the actin cytoskeleton and are very useful research tools. My current project seeks to develop a method to quantitatively analyze the effect of these molecules on cytoskeleton dynamics in live cells.

What’s next? My biggest post grad plan is to adopt a cat and take some deep breaths! I want to attend graduate school somewhere down the line, but before that I want to explore working in industry for a while. I know that I want to be involved in research for the rest of my life, and the specifics will be worked out along the way, but if I had to bet on my eventual direction I would say something protein biochemistry. Once of the biggest things I’ve learned in college is that my future is fluid and will change as I see more of the world and figure out what I like, but if my path happens to lead me to a Nobel prize yes that would be great.

I want to thank the selection committee for choosing me for this award. Reading Faith’s biography made me cry and it is an honor to even be associated with her name. Pursuing undergraduate research has been the best decision I’ve made at UO, made all the more wonderful by my lab mates, so big thanks to the Nolen lab for their support. I can’t wait to see where the next few years take me!

The P-Chem Undergraduate Fellowship provides funding for students to conduct research during the summer in a physical chemistry lab at the University of Oregon, under the mentorship of a physical chemistry faculty member.

photo - Nicolas Nguyen
Nicolas Nguyen, P-Chem Fellowship Recipient

Nicolas Nguyen

I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon my entire life and still consider Portland my home. Before coming to the UO, I graduated from David Douglas High School in 2019, and am expected to graduate from the UO in 2023 with a major in chemistry and a minor in computer information technology. I became very interested in science back in elementary school where we did basic experiments like the egg vacuum experiment or the vinegar and baking soda volcano. I became fascinated in understanding how these simple experiments work, and this fascination carried with me throughout K-12, making science classes always my favorite. Chemistry ended up being my favorite science class in high school because it seemed to have the answers to everything in the universe. This is obviously not true, but where there is something unknown or not well studied, there is a chemist out there that will try to study it. Chemistry’s pursuit to explain how and why things work is why I love it, and it is why I am pursuing it in college.

My research: I am currently doing research in Professor Marina Guenza’s lab, which I have been a part of for a year now. My focus in the group is applying machine learning techniques to coarse-grained simulations of polymers to reconstruct the atomistic information that is lost when the polymer is coarse-grained. The system I am working with is polyethylene, as it is one the more basic polymer chains and a good start at learning and using machine learning.

What’s next? Once I graduate from the UO, I am planning to go to graduate school and pursue more education. I want to continue to do research, particularly in the field of materials chemistry, but I find all chemistry research fascinating. Being more exposed to the research of other chemists has driven me to do want to do research in graduate school, and possibly even after I finish all my education.

I am honored and excited to have received this fellowship opportunity. I am grateful to the professors and staff at the UO who have made my experience with chemistry a good one. I have learned so much and have gained experience that I know will aid me as I aim towards even higher education. I am also grateful to Marina Guenza and the entire Guenza lab for being open to accepting me as a member as well as supporting my work. Lastly, I would like to thank my friends and family who have gotten to watch me grow up and pursue what I love and supporting me every step of the way.

The Anita and Friedhelm Baitis Scholarship provides funding for two undergraduate students to conduct research during the summer in a chemistry or biochemistry laboratory at the University of Oregon, under the mentorship of a Chemistry and Biochemistry department faculty member. 

photo - Sarah Peabody
Sarah Peabody, Baitis Scholarship Recipient

Sarah Peabody

I am a a senior from Portland, OR. I was not always interested in science, but, with very little idea of where it would take me, applied to UO as a biochemistry major and now cannot imagine doing anything else. Life science as a field is fascinating because we are exploring pieces of the world at a microscopic level, and we have just begun to scratch the surface of understanding the intricacies of the biological, chemical, and physical processes that are so important to human life.

My research: I began working in the Hansen Lab during the spring of my sophomore year. We study the way immune cells communicate within themselves and with each other in a process called cell signaling. At the plasma membrane, cell signaling allows these cells to respond to cues, such as getting an infection, in the body. My project focuses specifically on understanding the human white blood cell signaling molecule P-Rex1. Overall, we want to improve our understanding of how these membrane signaling reactions occur in cells and how these processes are altered in human disease.

What’s next? In the future, I would like to take my background in biochemistry to a medical biotechnology company. Medical biotechnology is an ever-growing field that in recent years has been filled with incredible scientific improvements in areas such as vaccine development, disease treatment, and design of new medical devices. Ultimately, I would like to be involved in design, development, and marketing of these new technologies.

My undergraduate research experience at UO has been incredible and would not be what it is without the help of many professors, graduate students, and undergraduates. I am so grateful to them and to my classmates at UO who inspire me every day to continue to achieve my goals.

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photo - Lily Miller
Lily Miller, Baitis Scholarship Recipient

Lily Miller

I grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, and came to UO as my dad is from Oregon and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I am entering my sophomore year at UO and am pursuing a degree in biochemistry.  I have been interested in science ever since I was young, when my parents got me a microscope for my birthday. Science gives me a chance to make a positive impact on the world in a way that I would not be able to otherwise, and therefore has always been a passion of mine.

My research: I am in the Prell Lab, a group focused on mass spectrometry. I joined the Prell lab in my freshman year, after being told again and again how important research is as a science major. My research is mainly focused on the development of software that helps other groups and researchers improve their interpretation and processing speed of mass spec data. I am working on two main projects right now. My first project is a collaboration with the Laskin group, writing software to improve the computational times and usability of their method of imaging proteins in tissue samples using mass spec. This research will be used in the future to help develop a new form of imaging using mass spec, as a counterpart to staining, and will be specifically used in the detection of cancer in tissues. My second project is focused on automating the data processing of mass spec data through a collaboration with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. This research will be used to allow faster and easier detection of diseases using mass spec.

What’s next? Once I graduate, I am interested in going to medical school, or pursuing a higher-level degree. When I join the scientific workforce, I would like to find a job that combines my programming knowledge with my love of science, in a field where my work can directly help others.

I am honored to receive this award, and thankful for the chance to be able to do research this summer. I would like to give a special thank you to Professor Prell and my lab mates for taking me into their lab and giving me the chance to do research.

Kalika Pai awarded NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

Posted on by Leah O'Brien

photo: Kalika PaiUO Chemistry graduate student Kalika Pai has been selected to receive a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.

The fellowship honors and supports outstanding students pursuing research-based graduate degrees in NSF-supported STEM disciplines at accredited US institutions. Recipients receive three years of financial support including an annual stipend of $34,000, as well as access to opportunities for professional development available to NSF-supported graduate students. In addition, the fellowship provides the institution with a $12,000 cost of education allowance for tuition and fees.

Kalika is a second-year graduate student in the Widom lab. Her research involves using single-molecule fluorescence methods to determine the kinetics of binding between short oligonucleotides and structured RNA molecules. These “fingerprints” will then be used in experiments that probe the structure of biologically relevant RNA.

Kalika’s broader impacts goals are focused on promoting science literacy in middle/high school students, and increasing the accessibility of science to underrepresented groups. She plans to work with local schools to bring hands-on, relevant STEM activities directly to the classroom, in hopes of reaching students that would not have sought out opportunities for these kinds of experiences themselves.

 

Emma Tran and Grace Lindquist receive 2021 Keana Fellowships

Posted on by Leah O'Brien

UO Chemistry and Biochemistry graduate students Emma Tran and Grace Lindquist have been named as the department’s 2021-22 John Keana Fellows. Emma is in her fifth year of the chemistry doctoral program, working in the Richmond Lab. Grace is a fourth-year doctoral student and works in the Boettcher Lab.

The Keana Fellowship was established in 2017 in honor of Professor Emeritus John Keana, and provides annual fellowship awards to graduate students studying in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Oregon. The award may be used to assist with defraying the academic costs associated with attending the university such as tuition, fees, books, miscellaneous supplies, research and living expenses.

We asked Emma and Grace to tell us a little about themselves and their science.

photo - Emma Tran

Emma Tran

I was born in Vietnam, but grew up mainly in Las Vegas, Nevada. There, I completed my Bachelors of Science degree in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematical Sciences. While juggling coursework, waitressing, and tutoring, I only got to dabble briefly in chemistry research. It wasn’t until I started graduate school at the University of Oregon that I gained more experience and insight into scientific research. As I progressed through my graduate school career, my interest in research grew as I gained a deeper appreciation for science communication, chemical education, mentorship, and the efforts toward improving the representation of underrepresented groups in science.

About her research

I am currently conducting research in Dr. Geraldine Richmond’s lab, investigating the interfacial phenomena of oil-in-water nanoemulsions. Through various experimental techniques such as pendant drop tensiometry, dynamic light scattering, and vibrational sum frequency scattering spectroscopy, I study the surface chemistry, behavior, and properties of biocompatible and environmentally friendly emulsifiers. The insight and fundamental knowledge gained from my research aims to guide the rational design of tunable drug delivery systems and safer oil remediation methods.

Future plans

I am planning to defend and graduate with my PhD in Spring 2022, and currently exploring and considering several career trajectories, hoping to broaden my skill sets and research breadth. My long-term goal is to become a professor at a primarily undergraduate institution while establishing strong partnerships with neighboring national labs and/or industry collaborators.

photo - Grace Lindquist

Grace Lindquist

I grew up in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota and attended the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University in central Minnesota. At St. Ben’s I was a part of the FoCuS program which was aimed at increasing gender and racial diversity in STEM majors. I was on an accelerated course path and took every class with the same group of women, some of which are still my closest friends. Having a constant support network in chemistry really helped me succeed as a chemistry major and encourage me to pursue my PhD. As a grad student here at UO, I am heavily involved in outreach. I lead Mad Duck Science, a program that conducts science experiments with students from a local, under-funded middle school. I am also an outreach coordinator for Women in Graduate Science, where I help organize various activities throughout the community to encourage young girls to pursue degrees in STEM.

About her research

In the Boettcher lab I research anion exchange membrane water electrolysis. It is a growing technology that, with further development, has the potential to compete with current mature electrolyzer technologies. Water electrolysis is a carbon-emission-free process that produces hydrogen renewably, which is key to supporting the transition to a clean energy economy. I love my research because I work at the interface between fundamental and applied science. It’s very inspiring to get to see the direct impact my results have on improving renewable energy technology.

Future plans

I plan to pursue a postdoctoral position to expand my understanding of electrochemical energy technology, after which I hope to work in a position where I can maximally impact society through research, outreach, and science policy advocacy and development.