Executive Board
2025-2026
President: Laila Nawab (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
lnawab-at-uoregon.edu
4th Year Ph.D. Student
Lab: Cathy Y. Wong
I graduated from Indiana University Northwest with a BS in Chemistry and took a year off before coming to the University of Oregon. I joined Cathy Wong’s Lab and will be working on creating an imaging technique to study mixed-halide perovskite nanocrystals during synthesis. I like to cook and try new recipes and would say my favorite cuisine is Persian food! When I’m not in lab, I enjoy going on hikes and exploring the great outdoors, but also love laying on my couch and watching the newest Rom-Com.
Vice President & Outreach Chair: Malvika Singhal (Knight Campus)
msinghal-at-uoregon.edu
3rd Year Ph.D. Candidate
Lab: Marian Hettiaratchi
For my research, I get to work at the intersection of multiple disciplines including chemistry, biology, and engineering to design proteins for drug delivery for bone regeneration. Since I began my undergraduate degree, I have been passionate about science outreach and science communication. My long-term goal is to work towards making STEM spaces more equitable and accessible. I am thrilled to be a part of CMiS and work towards this goal by engaging the local community in STEM outreach activities. Outside of research, I also enjoy cooking and writing.
Communications Chair: Ivan Juarez-Reyes (Physics and Astronomy)
ijuarezr-at-uoregon.edu
4th Year Ph.D. Candidate
Lab: Ben Farr
I graduated from Stanford University with a B.S. in Physics and a minor in Mathematics. From experimental and phenomenological particle physics to astronomy and astrophysics, I have explored a range of topics throughout my physics education. I am in the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) collaboration working on characterizing binary black hole (BBH) populations with LIGO data. By modeling the population distribution of BBH properties, we can learn about what astrophysical mechanisms form BBH systems and trace out the cosmological history of the universe.
Faculty Co-advisor: Prof. Marian Hettiaratchi (Knight Campus)
mhettiar-at-uoregon.edu
Assistant Professor
I’m a bioengineer working on tissue regeneration. My lab specifically focuses on making injectable biomaterials that carry proteins or cells to repair damaged or injured tissues. I was born in Calgary, AB, Canada but have lived all over the United States and Canada for my scientific training. When I’m not doing science, I’m out running or biking along the Willamette River, trying new ciders or wines, or cooking and eating delicious (very spicy!) food.
Faculty Co-advisor: Prof. Cathy Wong (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
cwong3-at-uoregon.edu
Associate Professor
I’m a physical chemist from Brampton, Ontario, Canada, building new techniques to measure the properties of electronic materials while they’re being made. When I’m not doing research or teaching, you’ll probably find me somewhere outside, or blowing my salary at REI. I love hiking, backpacking, dehydrating tastier food for the trail, and figuring out how to make my gear just another ounce lighter.
Undergraduate Volunteers 2025-2026
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Annabelle Bamford (Sophomore – Marine Biology) |
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Lainie Bell (Sophomore – Marine Biology) |
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Addison Sattler (Junior – Chemistry) |
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Alexandra Thorne (Junior – Marine Biology) |
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Nora Vanasse (Junior – Biology) |
Previous Executive Boards
2024-2025
President: Laila Nawab (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Vice-President: Victoria Olajide (Anthropology)
Treasurer & Awards Coordinator: nico conoan nieves (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Communications Chair: Danah Hijaz (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Social Chair: Naomi Wilson (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Outreach Chair: Malvika Singhal (Knight Campus)
Departmental Liaison: Nicolette Molina (Clinical Psychology)
Undergraduate Volunteers: Annabelle Bamford, Lainie Bell, Addison Sattler, Alexandra Thorne, Nora Vanasse
Faculty Advisors: Marian Hettiaratchi (Knight Campus) & Cathy Wong (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
2023-2024
President: Natanya Villegas (Biology / Knight Campus)
Vice-President: Rose Al-Saadi (Biology)
Treasurer & Awards Coordinator: Faiqa Khaliq (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Social & Community Chair: Laila Nawab (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Communications Co-Chairs: Masha Korchagina (Biology) and Helena Machado (Earth Science)
Faculty Advisors: Marian Hettiaratchi (Knight Campus), Nadia Singh (Biology) & Cathy Wong (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
2022-2023
President: Rose Al-Saadi (Biology)
Vice-President: Helena Machado (Earth Science)
Treasurer & Awards Coordinator: Faiqa Khaliq (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Social & Community Co-Chairs: Laila Nawab (Chemistry and Biochemistry) & Natanya Villegas (Biology / Knight Campus)
Communications Chair: Masha Korchagina (Biology)
Seminar Co-chairs: Kana Suzuki (Neuroscience) & Isabella Salinas (Biology)
Departmental Liason: Natanya Villegas (Biology / Knight Campus)
Faculty Advisors: Marian Hettiaratchi (Knight Campus) & Cathy Wong (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
2021-2022
President: Mea Songco (Neuroscience)
Vice President: Helena Machado (Earth Science)
Treasurer: Alison Chang (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Social and Community Chair: Hannah Bates (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Communications Chair: Masha Korchagina (Biology)
Seminar Co-chair: Emily Dennis (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Seminar Co-chair: Emma Tran (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Departmental Liason: Rose Al-Saadi (Biology)
Departmental Liason: Sarah Rich (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Faculty Advisors: Marian Hettiaratchi (Knight Campus) & Cathy Wong (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
2020-2021
President: Kiana Kawamura (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Vice President: Michelle Muth (Earth Science)
Treasurer & Travel Awards Coordinator: Alison Chang (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Seminar Chair: Evan Christoffersen (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Workshop Chair: Jeremea Songco(Neuroscience)
Communications Chair: Jeremea Songco (Neuroscience) & Hannah Hashimoto (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Social and Community Chair: Hannah Bates (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Department Liaisons: Amy Robbins (Biology/IMB), Efrain Vidal (Chemistry), Aidan Short (Institute of Ecology and Evolution), Helena Machado (Earth Science), Francesco Arceri (Physics), & Theresa Cheng (Psychology)
Faculty Advisors: Cathy Wong (Chemistry & Biochemistry) & Marian Hettiaratchi (Knight Campus)
2019-2020
President: Kiana Kawamura (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Vice President: Michelle Muth (Earth Science)
Treasurer: Alison Chang (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Seminar Chair: Mea Songco (Neuroscience)
Workshop Chair: Mea Songco (Neuroscience)
Outreach and Communications Chair: Johan Bonilla (Physics)
Social and Community Chair: Tamara Niella (Psychology)
Webmaster: Matt Cerda (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Faculty Advisor: Cathy Wong (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
2018-2019
President: Johan Bonilla (Physics)
Vice President: Matt Cerda (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Treasurer: Fehmi Yasin (Physics) & Jaclyn Kellon (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Seminar Chair: Meredith Sharps (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Workshop Chair: Michelle Muth (Earth Science)
Social/Outreach Chair: Kiana Kawamura (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Webmaster: Kellum Tate-Jones (Earth Science)
Faculty Advisor: Cathy Wong (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
2017-2018
President: Jaclyn Kellon (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Vice President: Meredith Sharps (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Treasurer: Hannah Bishop (Neuroscience)
Seminar Chair: Matt Cerda (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Workshop Chair: Arunima Bhattacharya (Mathematics)
Social/Outreach Chair: Michelle Muth (Earth Science)
Webmaster: Fehmi Yasin (Physics)
Faculty Advisor: Cathy Wong (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
2016-2017
President: Jaclyn Kellon (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Vice President: Johan Bonilla (Physics)
Treasurer: Hannah Bishop (Neuroscience)
Recorder: Meredith Sharps (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Webmaster/Social Media: Matt Cerda (Chemistry & Biochemistry) & Mayra Amezcua (Physics)
UO Liaison: Andrea Steiger (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
Faculty Advisor(s): Darren Johnson, Jim Prell, & Cathy Wong (Chemistry & Biochemistry)