Lab Members
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Cathy Y. Wong (cwong3-at-uoregon.edu) she/her B.Sc. (Biological Chemistry) McMaster University Ph.D. (Physical Chemistry) University of Toronto Postdoc (Physical Chemistry) University of California, Berkeley 2021 – A.J. Ersted Award for Distinguished Teaching 2020 – Emerging Scholar for Diverse: Issues In Higher Education magazine 2018 – NSF CAREER Award 2018 – ACS Petroleum Research Fund Doctoral New Investigator 2011 – NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship I grew up in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, and enjoy camping, sports, woodworking, and data. |
Graduate Students |
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Zach Walbrun (zwalbrun-at-uoregon.edu) he/him B.Sc. (Chemistry and Mathematics) University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire I am from Appleton, Wisconsin and have enjoyed the puzzles of chemistry and mathematics since the early days of high school. As time went on, this was fostered into a passion for teaching, already holding chemistry review sessions in high school. This was developed further into a love for not only teaching, but enjoying learning chemistry, and now asking the questions! I attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (GO BLUGOLDS!) and completed my B.Sc. in both chemistry and mathematics. I also participated in choir, one of my other passions, for many years throughout high school and undergrad. In my free time, I can be found hiking, biking, taking spontaneous road trips, typing up notes on LaTeX or enjoying the latest game Nintendo has to offer. |
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Laila Nawab (lnawab-at-uoregon.edu) she/her B.Sc. (Chemistry) Indiana University Northwest I am from Northwest Indiana and have been interested in Chemistry ever since my first advanced classes in high school. For undergrad, I went to Indiana University Northwest, where I received a B.Sc. in Chemistry and minors in Math and Spanish. Getting involved in research during my undergrad initiated my interest in pursuing Chemistry beyond the undergraduate level. I came to the University of Oregon in the fall of 2021 and joined the lab the following summer. Outside of lab, I enjoy hiking with friends, rooting for my favorite Chicago sports teams, and trying new food! |
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Racheal Fisher (rafi-at-uoregon.edu) she/her B.Sc. (Chemistry) Purdue University I am originally from Annapolis, Maryland, and more recently from Los Alamos, New Mexico. I came to UO in fall 2023, and have really enjoyed graduate school so far! I graduated from Purdue University in the spring of 2023 with an undergraduate degree in chemistry. During that time, I was involved in undergraduate research in adhesives, TAing general chemistry, and working in the demonstration prep lab! When I am not in lab, I can be found fencing, bouldering, or playing video games with friends. |
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Alyssa Paulson (alyssapa-at-uoregon.edu) B.Sc. (Chemistry) Gustavus Adolphus College I am from the middle of nowhere northern Wisconsin/Minnesota where everyone lives on a lake and the little voices in your head tell you what to do. As it turns out my little voices sent me on a journey that wound up with me in graduate school at UO. I started at UO in the fall of 2023 and joined the Wong lab in June of 2024. I enjoy challenges of the mind and find fun little puzzles in the daily work of a graduate student. I have a twin sister, that seems important to mention. In my free time you can catch me hanging out with friends, reading, drinking milk, and educating people on the correct way to pronounce bag. |
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Visiting Scholar: Luis Alberto Becerril Landeros (becerril-at-uoregon.edu) M.Sc. (Aerospace Engineering) Instituto Politécnico Nacional I am from Mexico and have always been passionate about materials science. During my studies at the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) in Mexico City, I developed a strong interest in nanoscience and nanotechnology, particularly in synthesis techniques. Currently, I am pursuing a Ph.D. in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at the Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (Cinvestav), Mexico, where my research focuses on developing LEDs using the AACVD deposition technique. Recently, I was offered the opportunity to join Professor Cathy Wong’s group at the University of Oregon to study the dynamics of AACVD synthesis with Single Shot Transient Absorption (SSTA) technique during a short research stay. I enjoy taking on new challenges, I love my country, my family, and my culture, but I am equally excited about exploring new places, cultures, and meeting wonderful people, like those in Oregon and the Wong Lab. |
Undergraduate Students |
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Logan Russo (lrusso3-at-uoregon.edu) he/him I graduated from West Salem High School in 2021. I developed a passion for chemistry and the medical field, particularly radiology. Currently, I’m pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a pre-med focus here at the University of Oregon. My interest in radiology introduced me to the field of physical chemistry, and I joined the Wong Lab early in my freshman year. When I’m not in the lab, I love playing and watching sports, mainly football and lacrosse! |
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Weston Bodle (wbodle-at-uoregon.edu) he/him I’m from Dana Point, California and graduated high school in 2021. I found a passion for chemistry here at UO and I have really enjoyed developing my skills within my lab classes. I love looking at how molecules interact with each other and specifically looking at their applications to real world problems! I’m so excited to further my love of chemistry through the Wong Lab and to work with such an amazing team. When I am not in the lab I love playing pickleball, tennis, and soccer, along with cooking and playing chess! |
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Megan Yellowtail (myellow5-at-uoregon.edu) I’m from Eugene, OR, and graduated from high school in 2024. I first became interested in chemistry and physics in my senior year of high school, which inspired me to join the Wong lab early in my freshman year at UO. I love learning about microscopy and using math and different optics to make microscopes. Currently, I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at the University of Oregon. Outside the lab, I love to draw and play piano, along with making new Aerial Silks routines! |
Graduate Alumni |
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Michael Crawford B.Sc. (Chemistry) Illinois State University Ph. D. (Physical Chemistry) University of Oregon Teaching Assistant Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University |
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James Sadighian B.Sc. (Biochemistry) George Mason University M.Sc. (Chemistry) George Mason University Ph. D. (Physical Chemistry) University of Oregon Postdoctoral Scholar at University of Washington Scientist with the Department of Defense |
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Morgan Sosa B.Sc. (Chemistry and Biophysics) University of Washington Ph. D. (Physical Chemistry) University of Oregon R&D Formulation Chemist at SunFly |
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Kelly Wilson B.Sc. (Chemistry) Brigham Young University – Idaho Ph. D. (Physical Chemistry) University of Oregon Postdoctoral Scholar at University of Texas – Austin nLight Defense |
Undergraduate Alumni |
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Aiden Ryan Undergraduate student at University of Oregon |
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Nick Frainey Graduate student at University of California at Irvine |
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Aine Hoban Masters student at University of Oregon’s Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program (semiconductors track) |
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Marty Gruber Masters student at University of Oregon’s Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program (optics track) |
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Laura Leibfried Graduate student at Stanford |
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Brandon Rasmussen Graduate student at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign |
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Sonja Nusser (highschool student) Graduate student at Purdue University |
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Madi Scott Graduate student at MIT |
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Grant Hall Semiconductor Manufacturing Engineer at Intel |
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Emma Waddington Process Engineer II at FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc. |
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Sam Reul Battery Engineer at EnZinc |
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Rima Pandit Medical school student at OHSU School of Medicine |
