Tag: UO Undergrad Students

Meet our 2025 Chemistry and Biochemistry Undergrad Scholarship Recipients!
Posted on by Leah O'Brien

The Chemistry and Biochemistry department is pleased to introduce the recipients of our 2025 undergraduate scholarships! The department offers five annual scholarships for our undergraduate majors, with the application and selection process taking place each spring.

The recipients of our 2025 scholarships are as follows:

  • Anita and Friedhelm Baitis Scholarship – James Cecil, Dominic Hixson, Evan LeGrand and Sam Ognibene
  • Faith Van Nice Scholarship – Fedor Chayka
  • Kuntz-Swinehart Memorial Scholarship – Emily Stetson
  • P-Chem Summer Research Fellowship – Sarah Wahlen
  • Percy Julian Scholarship – Jonny Bouton and Brandon Hernandez-Ramos

We asked them to tell us a little bit about themselves and their research.

Anita and Friedhelm Baitis Scholarship

The Anita and Friedhelm Baitis Scholarship provides funding for 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 person standing in a laboratoryJames Cecil

I grew up in Seattle, Washington, where fishing in the Puget Sound and traipsing around our national parks with my mother fostered my love for nature. From an early point in my adolescence, I’ve felt an intrinsic responsibility to try and preserve the beauty of the environment. I was attracted to the natural sciences for simpler reasons. Rocket ships, lasers, and National Geographic’s frontier images of colossal space structures motivated me to pursue chemistry and physics early on. I began studying chemistry at the UO in 2022 because I believed it would point me in the direction of preventing environmental degradation, and I just thought it was pretty cool.

My Research: Since the spring of 2024, I’ve worked in Paul Kempler’s research lab, which focuses on enabling deep decarbonization through electrochemistry. One project our group is focused on is engineering a process of low-cost, low-energy iron production known as the chlor-iron process. In order to scale up our process to be commercially viable, we must better understand the mechanism of the chemical reaction taking place, while continuously working to optimize the mechanical design of our chlor-iron cell.

What’s Next? This coming fall, I will begin the 9-month coursework for the Electrochemistry Masters’ Internship Program offered by the Oregon Center of Electrochemistry (OCE) here at the UO, while concurrently finishing the coursework required for my BS in chemistry. After graduating in June 2026, I plan to finish my MSc through a 9-month internship with an affiliated industry partner of the OCE. Going Forward, I plan to pursue a PhD in electrochemistry or an associated field.

I’d like to thank Dr. Paul Kempler for nominating me for this award. Dr. Kempler and peers in his lab have continuously taught me new skills and fostered my love of science. Since I began working in the Kempler lab, my passion and knowledge for electrochemistry have flourished as I continue to see its critical, real-world impacts surrounding deep-decarbonization efforts.

 

a person wearing glasses and a striped jacketDominic Hixson

I am from Prineville, OR. My first year at UO was in fall of 2023 and I am currently entering my third and final year. I am most inspired by chemistry and its ability to answer such complex questions with a handful of simple first principles. From a more general standpoint, science enables us to collaborate and discover new things about the world and universe that surrounds us.

My Research: I have been in Darren Johnson’s lab since March of 2024. My project seeks to leverage the DWJ lab’s pnictogen-assisted self-assembly method that selectively oxidizes dithiols into macrocyclic disulfide oligomers to construct a catenane. A catenane is a type of mechanically interlocked molecule (MIM) that is characterized by two or more interlocked rings. MIMs are a fascinating class of macromolecules that are currently being utilized in many different areas of chemistry and medicine.

What’s Next? Post-grad I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in total synthesis and ultimately work in the pharmaceutical industry as a chemist focused on structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies and novel drug design.

I am truly humbled and grateful to have had the opportunity to continue my research through the summer 2025 term via this scholarship! Go Ducks!

 

a bearded person wearing a dark shirt and tan jacketEvan LeGrand

I was born and raised in Urbana, Illinois, and moved to Eugene in 2018. I am currently finishing up my last year as a Biochemistry major at the UO. I had from an early age an affinity for the sciences, and I am grateful to be able to explore those interests here at the UO. When I’m not in lab or class, I spend my time reading and gardening with my dog.

My Research: I have been conducting research in the Harms Lab since early 2024 under the mentorship of Mike Harms. The big picture goal of my research is to determine the non-additive effects of point mutations on proteins that can exist in multiple conformations. Practically this involves the expression and purification of proteins and the use of spectroscopic and calorimetric measurements to characterize protein behavior. My favorite part of this work is that there are thought experiments and room for optimization at both the conceptual and experimental level.

What’s Next? After graduation, I would like to enter a PhD program in Biophysics.

I would like to thank Mike Harms for the support he has given me, as well as for nominating me for the Baitis Scholarship. I would also like to thank the other members of the Harms Lab, in particular Natalie Jaeger, for their continued mentorship.

 

a smiling person in the high desert mountains with a ram in the backgroundSam Ognibene

I’m from Charleston, South Carolina and lived there my whole life until I moved to Oregon for college. I’ve always loved travelling and seeing different parts of the country, so I decided to get out of the south and spend some time in the PNW. When I came to UO I was still unsure of whether or not chemistry was the right major for me, but after my first organic chemistry course I knew that it was. Through my research, I have developed a strong interest in organic synthesis, and my research has allowed me to put classroom theory to lab practice.

My Research: Over the past year and a half, I have been conducting research in the Haley lab under the mentorship of Megan Rammer. My research has focused on the synthesis of 4-coordinate azaphosphinines. These are conjugated heterocyclic molecules with a phosphorus-nitrogen bond. These molecules are highly fluorescent due to their conjugation. Currently, I am attempting to extend the conjugation of the 4-coordinate azaphosphinines by creating an indole-fused-4-coordinate azaphosphinine. By extending the conjugation, we expect to see a shift in fluorescence from the standard deep blue to a more teal color. Additionally, I am substituting different functional groups to observe electron withdrawing/donating effects on the fluorescence.

What’s Next? I am applying to graduate schools this year to pursue a PhD in organic chemistry. I’m still figuring out my long-term goal, but I currently I’m leaning towards staying in academia and becoming a professor of organic chemistry.

I am honored to have received this award and would like to thank Mike Haley for nominating me. Additionally, I would like to thank Megan Rammer for being a fantastic mentor and helping me become a better researcher. Lastly, I would like to thank the rest of the Haley lab for fostering a helpful and welcoming environment.

 Faith Van Nice Scholarship

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.

a person with glasses wearing a white shirtFedor Chayka

I was born in Novosibirsk, Russia, and moved to Portland, OR with my family while in middle school. I am now going into my third year at UO, majoring in chemistry and math with a minor in music. I am fascinated by complexity of chemical and physical systems; I want to use computational modeling to study these systems for materials science applications.

My Research: I had my first experience with research the summer after freshman year in the Ngo lab at OHSU, looking into methods of filtering batch effect noise in cell-free RNA sequencing data, for use in early cancer detection. In my sophomore year, I joined the Agne lab at UO; the lab studies electrical and thermal conductivity in energy and environmental materials. My project involves investigating pressure dependent sodium ion conduction with a combination of experimental and computational methods. This research will yield a better understanding of the ion conduction mechanism which will inform design of solid electrolytes for solid-state batteries. In addition, I am leading the computational team of UO iGEM, developing a computational aptamer design tool for the iGEM synthetic biology competition.

What’s Next? During my two remaining years at UO, I want to get a broad experience in computational study and a strong mathematical training. After UO, I will go on to a PhD program and onward to a research career. I also hope to continue playing modern and baroque flute.

I am very grateful and honored to receive this award; I wish to thank the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry for its support in my academic journey. I also wish to thank Prof. Matthias Agne, Nate Skeele, and Alex Dillard for their support in the lab, Prof. Thuy Ngo, Rowan Callahan, and Kenneth Riley for their support last summer, and the professors who taught chemistry and other classes for the knowledge they gave me.

Kuntz-Swinehart Memorial Scholarship

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 person wearing a blue shirtEmily Stetson

I grew up in Roseburg, OR and transferred from Umpqua Community College to UO last year. I have always been passionate about science, but I didn’t know what direction to take until I took my first chemistry and physics classes. I became passionate about how these subjects intersect and form the fundamental laws and phenomena of the universe. Now, I am dual majoring in Chemistry and Physics. My vision for my future contributions to the field of science is rooted in the desire to create novel products improving the quality of life of patients using the skills and knowledge I am learning today. I am most interested in physical chemistry, molecular dynamics, and their uses in drug discovery and medicine.

My Research: I am working in the Ray Computational Biophysics Lab, and I have been doing research with them for a little under a year. I am learning how to perform the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of proteins in solution using the GROMACS package. Specifically, I am studying the molecular interactions and the binding mechanism of a drug candidate with the Abeta42 protein, which is responsible for Alzheimer’s Disease. Eventually, I will perform extensive simulations on this system and use novel machine learning based analysis developed in the Ray lab to better understand the drug binding-unbinding process to this and other medically relevant proteins.

What’s Next? I intend to pursue further studies in computational biophysics, with the goal of obtaining an MD/PhD graduate degree. I am particularly enthusiastic about the potential of becoming a physician-scientist, as molecular dynamics simulation and analysis techniques have an important role in understanding the behavior of disease-related proteins and designing new drugs, which will directly impact patients, their treatments, and their lives.

I am incredibly grateful to win this award, and I would like to thank everyone who has supported and encouraged me in my academic career so far. Special thanks to my PI Dr. Ray, Dr. Chatterjee, and Revanth Elangovan for their hard work and patience, I look forward to doing more research with you.

P-chem Undergraduate Fellowship

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 person in a laboratorySarah Wahlen

I’m from Ogden, Utah and attended Rowland Hall St. Marks where my love of the sciences was fostered. After my first year at Montana State University, I transferred to the University of Oregon, and since then I have found my stride in Eugene as a Biochemistry major. Aside from science and math coming easily to me, what excites me most is understanding how and why the world works. Research has been both challenging and rewarding, and I’ve enjoyed the problem solving that comes with exploring something novel. Outside of academics I enjoy making art, sewing and ceramics as a creative outlet that  lets me explore ideas in a different way than research.

My Research: I began my research career with the Marcus Lab this past January. Under the guidance and mentorship of Lulu Enkhbaatar, I’ve been working on the group’s Lac Operator project, specifically studying how the Lac repressor protein binds to DNA. I use a technique called surface plasmon resonance to measure binding in real time, and one of my goals is to see how fluorescent tags might interfere with this interaction. The Lac operon system is a classic model of gene regulation, so understanding these mechanisms offers deeper insight into how transcription factors recognize and bind their target DNA sequences. Findings from this work could ultimately deepen our understanding of gene regulation and inform the design of synthetic transcription factors.

What’s Next? Moving forward, I’d like to continue my academic journey in a master’s program and potentially graduate school. My main scientific interests are in the endocrine system and genomics, and I’m especially excited about how advances in machine learning are opening new ways to study these fields. I hope to be part of that growth by combining biological insight with emerging tools to better understand complex systems.

I feel very grateful to have been chosen for this award and for the opportunity to pursue research this summer. I would like to thank Andy Marcus and Pete Von Hippel for trusting me as an undergrad researcher, the help and patience of Lulu my mentor, and all of the professors who have pastured me through my schooling at University of Oregon. I would also like to thank my parents for their support throughout my academics both financially and emotionally.

Percy-Julian Scholarship

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 person in a laboratoryJonny Bouton

I am from Eugene and am a junior majoring in biochemistry and minoring in bioengineering. I have been dual enrolled with UO and LCC and am getting ready to begin my first year full-time at UO this fall. Learning about and working with molecules is a surreal and exciting experience for me. I came back to school after working in construction and realizing that I wanted to do something with a more direct, positive impact on the world; it was one of the best choices I’ve ever made.

My Research: I have been in the Rapp lab since last September and have worked on two projects that are developing light-responsive biomaterials that will model drug delivery systems which offer a greater level of control over the release of drugs than conventional methods. The project I am working on now utilizes bioluminescent proteins to activate a ruthenium tether to release attached cargo.

What’s Next? After finishing my bachelors, I hope to earn a graduate degree that will prepare me for a career in industry where I can put my knowledge and skills to use developing technologies that make more efficient use of the resources available to us.

I am deeply grateful to the generous donors of this award, as well as to OPIRC and CURE, for supporting me, my research, and my growth as a scientist. I also extend a very special thanks to my mentor, Dr Teresa Rapp, for her generosity with her time and her infectious enthusiasm for the work in her lab. At UO, I have found an extraordinary dedication to the success of students, and I am glad to have chosen it as the place to launch my career.

 

a smiling person wearing a dark shirtBrandon Hernandez-Ramos

I was born and raised in Portland, OR, and began my time at the University of Oregon in 2022. I’m now in my senior year, majoring in chemistry with a minor in French. Curiosity and a sense of wonder drive me. I enjoy chemistry because it lets us observe things with a model for what they “look, feel, and act like” on a scale too small to see. Every chemical reaction is a tiny experiment in cause and effect, and I am fascinated by how we can turn mathematical approximations and theories into materials and medicines you can hold. The opportunity to find answers to the greatest mysteries of the universe inspires me to pursue physical science.

My Research: I recently joined Dr. Ramesh Jasti’s lab, and I’m working under the mentorship of Lan Chen. The Jasti Lab develops curved, carbon-rich molecules (especially cycloparaphenylenes, also known as CPPs) and explores how their size and shape tune optical and electronic properties, with directions spanning supramolecular chemistry, polymers and materials, and bioimaging. In everyday terms, we make tiny glowing carbon rings and related structures, then study how changing their ring size or composition affects the color they emit and how they behave, all of which is useful for future electronics, sensors, and imaging applications. This year, I will begin an independent research project to formulate into an honors thesis.

What’s Next? After graduation, I plan to pursue a PhD in Chemistry and build a career at the intersection of organic synthesis and catalysis, with the long-term goal of leading a research group where I can mentor students and teach, while advancing molecule-level solutions to real-world problems. My hope is to one day contribute to the discovery of novel catalytic reactions that are scalable, sustainable, and widely useful.

I am deeply honored to receive this award. My sincere thanks to Professor Adam Glass for giving me a strong foundation in organic synthesis and problem-solving. I’m also grateful to Professor Ramesh Jasti and my mentor, Lan Chen, for welcoming me into their lab and continually challenging me to think carefully about mechanism, design, and execution.

 

Chemistry and Biochemistry Undergrad Scholarships – Application Deadline April 13th
Posted on by Leah O'Brien

scholarships flyer

We are happy to announce the availability of several departmental undergraduate scholarships. There are three separate applications for the awards. Funds will be made available for this summer or the 2025-26 UO academic year, depending on the scholarship. The application deadline for all scholarships is Sunday, April 13, 2025. More information and application links for these scholarships can be found on our department website.

  • The Faith Van Nice and Kuntz-Swinehart scholarships recognize outstanding academic and research achievements by undergraduate chemistry and biochemistry majors.
  • The Percy Julian Scholarship supports 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.
  • 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.
  • The Baitis Undergraduate Fellowship provides funding for 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 submission deadline for all departmental undergraduate scholarship applications is Sunday, April 13, 2025. Scholarship awards will be announced near the end of May.

 

New Undergrad Course for Spring: Become A Science Influencer!
Posted on by Leah O'Brien

flyer advertising the course

CH 409: Capstone Project 
Mondays 4:00 – 4:50 pm in 107 Klamath
P/NP, Variable Credit – CRN 11123

Become a Science Influencer!

In this capstone course, you will take your chemistry knowledge beyond the lab and learn how to communicate scientific concepts through video. You will plan two engaging videos—one for a scientific audience and one for the general public—helping you develop essential skills in science communication, digital storytelling, and video production.

For more details on what you’ll learn and the course schedule, see the syllabus here.

Questions? Email the instructor Dr. Michael E. Koscho,  koscho@uoregon.edu

 

Chemistry and Biochemistry Research Showcase – February 10th
Posted on by Leah O'Brien

event flyer

Join us on Monday, February 10th from 5:30 – 7:00 pm in the Willamette Atrium for the 2025 Chemistry and Biochemistry Research Showcase!​

The UO Chemistry Club will be hosting this annual event with FREE pizza, beverages, and a poster session – featuring faculty research and opportunities for undergrads.

Everyone is welcome to attend!

 

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 and Biochemistry Research Showcase – February 13th
Posted on by Leah O'Brien

Join us on Tuesday, February 13th from 5:30 – 7:00 pm in the Willamette Atrium for some amazing research posters and talks! The UO Chemistry Club will be hosting their annual chemistry and biochemistry research showcase, including free pizza and soft drinks. Everyone is welcome to attend!

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