We are pleased to introduce you to our undergraduate students supported by departmental scholarships and book awards!
Theodore R. Beck Endowed Scholarship
Sophia Arons is a graduating senior pursuing dual degrees in chemistry and biochemistry. In the lab of Professor Justin Kollman, she investigates PRPS1, an enzyme that catalyzes a rate limiting step in the nucleotide biosynthesis pathway. Her current project explores how PRPS1 mutations in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) relapse affect the enzyme’s structure and function. Outside of the lab, Sophia takes an active role in supporting her peers as vice president of Free Radicals and undergraduate liaison to Inclusion in Chemical Sciences at UW.
H. K. Benson Undergraduate Tuition Scholarship
Ruo-Mei Liu is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in biochemistry with a minor in data science. As an undergraduate researcher in the group of Associate Professor Andrea Wills (Biochemistry), she explores the metabolic paradigms underlying limb regeneration as well as regeneration patterns in Xenopus tropicalis tadpoles. Passionate about the intersection of biochemistry and technology, Ruo-Mei aspires to pursue a graduate program where she can leverage computational tools to drive innovation in biochemical research.
Gerald and Sheila Berkelhammer Book Awards
Fevet Ibrahim is a third-year undergraduate pursuing triple degrees in biochemistry, neuroscience, and philosophy, and minoring in chemistry. She is fascinated by the comprehensive and multi-layered nature of human beings, from cellular and molecular interactions to cognizant beings who create and build complex ideas. Specifically, Fevet is interested in the biochemistry of the human brain: how chemical mechanisms influence neurological processes. She hopes to spend time researching these mechanisms as an M.D./Ph.D. student and throughout her career as an academic pediatric functional neurosurgeon.
Jacob Nichols is a graduating senior majoring in biochemistry who has spent two years conducting research in the lab of Professor Champak Chatterjee. Here he has looked at how modifications to chromatin, more specifically, histones, result in changes in gene expression and chromatin accessibility. Jacob will spend time conducting post-baccalaureate research before pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. program. He hopes to translate bench top work to patient bedside.
Michael Rosen is a senior undergraduate student completing a double major in chemistry and physics, with a minor in applied mathematics. Michael works in the research group of Professor Anne McCoy using theoretical methods to elucidate the spectral details of small molecular clusters displaying internal and overall angular momenta coupled to skeletal vibrations. Outside of research, he participates in the UW Physics Mentoring Program, where he works with first-year students taking the introductory physics series, and as a member of the UW Physics Majors Committee. Later this year, he will continue his research in the chemistry Ph.D. program at Princeton focusing on the theory of nonadiabatic motions and their effect on quantum chemistry calculations.
Tara Young is a graduating senior college honors biochemistry student. For the past four years, she has conducted protein biochemistry research revealing a novel interaction essential to DNA replication in Assistant Professor Monica Guo’s group (Microbiology). In addition to her research, Tara enjoys serving as the president of Free Radicals, where she works to foster community for undergraduate students in the Department of Chemistry. This summer she will enroll in the M.D./Ph.D. program at the University of California, San Francisco, where she plans to study structural biology and its translation in drug development.
Boeing Scholarship
Priya Christensen is a graduating senior majoring in biochemistry and public health-global health. For the past three years, she has worked in Dr. Neil King’s group at the Institute for Protein Design on engineering protein-based vaccine adjuvants that target the CD40 signaling pathway in germinal centers. After graduation, she will be working on flu vaccine research at NIAID’s Vaccine Research Center while applying to medical school. Outside of science, Priya is very passionate about serving those experiencing homelessness through her volunteer work with ROOTS and Elizabeth Gregory Home, as co-education chair with University District Street Medicine, and in advocacy with Health Equity Circle. Her involvement in global affairs has instilled a passion for protecting marginalized communities around the world, including those who are victims of global conflict and genocide.
Leland and Eleanor Burger Endowed Scholarships
Yvonne Guan is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in chemistry. She has conducted research in Professor Joshua Vaughan’s group, using super-resolution fluorescence microscopy to study histone modification inheritance and, more recently, renal glomerular morphology. After graduating, Yvonne plans to pursue graduate studies in life sciences.
Jolene Nguyen is a third-year biochemistry student working with Associate Professors Ed Kelly and Catherine Yeung (Pharmacy) to optimize the cellular environment of the kidney organoid for the organ-on-a-chip project. She previously worked with Dr. Brianne King in the group of Associate Professor Jesse Zalatan to engineer proteins for non-native functions through directed evolution. When not in lab, Jolene enjoys being outdoors, trying new food with friends, and playing music with the UW Campus Philharmonia Orchestra.
Eileen Son is a graduating senior from Federal Way, Washington, pursuing a B.S. in biochemistry with minors in chemistry and data science. For the past two years, she has conducted research with Professor Rheem Totah Lab (Medicinal Chemistry) focusing on hydrogen sulfide's protective roles in hepatic cells against cellular stress. Eileen aspires to become a pediatrician, combining her passion for children, research, and patient care.
Queminh Tran is a third-year chemistry major with a strong interest in synthetic chemistry. In the group of Assistant Professor Dianne Xiao, she researches polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) for CO2 separations. Outside the lab, she enjoys serving as an officer for the Free Radicals club, and a mentor in the department’s mentorship program, helping support other students in the field. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in synthetic inorganic chemistry.
James B. and Elzelina J. Callis Endowed Scholarships
Tristan Jafari is a senior biochemistry student conducting research in the UW Diabetes Institute under the guidance of Research Assistant Professor Mauricio Dorfman (Endocrinology). Tristan is an EMT and the founder and chief of UW Emergency Medical Services, the agency that responds to 9-1-1 medical calls on the UW campus. As president of UW American Red Cross, he organizes campus blood drives. Passionate about emergency medicine, he plans to pursue a career that combines clinical practice, healthcare research, and public health leadership.
Kamaya Ronning is a junior majoring in chemistry with a minor in applied mathematics. For the past few years, she has worked in Assistant Professor Dianne Xiao’s lab where she investigates catalysis in metal organic frameworks. In addition, Kamaya works as the student assistant for the NMR facility, and is the program coordinator for UW Science Explorers, an outreach program for Seattle elementary school students. Outside of school, she enjoys playing on the UW water polo team and spends her extra free time running, cooking, and doing embroidery.
Chemistry Scholarships
Alen S. Poehlman is a second-year student completing a double major in biochemistry and music. In 2024, they became an undergraduate researcher in the group of Dr. Sean C. Murphy, using digital pathology to study murine liver-stage malaria and sexual dimorphism in immune function with guidance from Dr. Caroline J Duncombe. He hopes to pursue further research in immunology after graduation, focusing on infectious diseases. Outside of the lab, he enjoys reading, attending a variety of concerts, and playing clarinet and saxophone in several Seattle groups.
Linda Wang is a junior majoring in biochemistry and public health-global health. For the past two years, she has been studying the antibiotic resistance of Mycoplasma genitalium, a sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen, under the mentorship of Dr. Gwen Wood at Harborview Medical Center. Her research aims to understand resistance mechanisms to help identify effective alternative therapies for patients suffering treatment failure. Linda hopes to bridge medicine, research, and public health in a future career as a physician-scientist.
Earl W. Davie Endowed Scholarship in Chemistry or Biochemistry
Joey Hyowon Im is a graduating senior majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. Over the past two years, he has gained valuable experience as an intern and dental assistant at Lina Kim Dental, assisting with procedures like crowns, fillings, and cleanings. He is also leading a project focused on creating custom dental restorations and appliances. After graduation, Joey plans to apply to dental school with the goal of becoming a skilled dentist. Together with his wife Dieu-Ly, he ultimately hopes to give back to the community by volunteering with nonprofit organizations and serving underserved populations.
Donald J. Hanahan Endowed Scholarship in Biochemistry
Theodoric Greenleaf is a senior graduating this quarter with a B.S. is biochemistry. Throughout his time at UW, he has worked with Grey Matters, Biology Students for Equity, and Ability, a registered student organization focused on disability community and awareness. Outside of UW, he participates in historical reenactment and education, including costuming. He hopes to return to UW soon as a medical student, with the goal of becoming an anesthesiologist specializing in chronic pain management.
Christopher and Karen Pohl Endowed Scholarship in Chemistry
Melodie Chiu is a third-year student majoring in biochemistry and minoring in data science. She is passionate about research and is currently working with Professor Jay Shendure (Genome Sciences) to characterize computationally designed proteins capable of mediating targeted protein degradation or stabilization in cells. Melodie hopes to become a dental clinician-scientist.
Julien Goldstick is a graduating senior double majoring in biochemistry and applied and computational mathematics in biological and life sciences. For his senior thesis with Professor C. Michael Crowder (Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine), Julien is using C. elegans to investigate the role of mTOR complex one in the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics in response to oxygen deprivation. He plans to pursue a career in medicine that combines his passions for research and patient care. Outside of research, he likes to play the ukulele and jog around campus.
Rex J. and Ruth C. Robinson Scholarships in Chemistry
Ella Chiu is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in biochemistry. She is an undergraduate researcher with Assistant Professor Marie Davis (Neurology) at the VA studying human neuronal cell and Drosophila models to understand the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease. She has a passion for patient care and volunteers regularly at a long-term care facility for HIV/AIDS and other complex conditions. After graduating, she hopes to blend her passion for research with clinical practice by pursuing a career in medicine.
Taylor Hu is a graduating senior, double majoring in biochemistry and microbiology with college honors. She has been a member of Dr. Philip Greenberg’s lab (Fred Hutch) since her first year of college and has been working on projects to improve the efficacy of Adoptive Cell Therapies (ACT), in which immune cells can be engineered with receptors to better target cancer cells. Taylor is passionate about pursuing a career in research and translational therapeutics. After graduating, she plans to continue training with her current lab while applying for Ph.D. programs.
Suhyeon Kim is a graduating senior majoring in biochemistry and minoring in Modern Hebrew. She has gained diverse research experience in multiple labs, with the past two years focused on HepG2 and HCM cells treated with palmitic acid to explore the contribution of hydrogen sulfide in hypertrophy and insulin resistance in the group of Professor Rheem Totah (Medicinal Chemistry). She is currently working in Assistant Professor Katie Liu’s group (Surgery), investigating stem cell regeneration for peripheral nerve injuries. Suhyeon plans to further her studies in data integration in stem cell research to improve data literacy and accuracy.
Hana Sugihara is a third-year student majoring in biochemistry and public health-global health. Since January 2024, she has conducted undergraduate research with Drs. Michael Mulligan, Jay Pal, and Billanna Hwang in the Department of Surgery. Her experiences as a first-generation immigrant have shaped her interest in healthcare equity and cultural competence. Beyond academics, Hana volunteers at the Seattle Children's Emergency Department, plays the flute in the UW Campus Philharmonia Orchestra, and leads two student organizations focused on global health and mental health awareness. She plans to pursue additional education to address healthcare disparities through both clinical practice and research as a primary care physician.
Renee Sun is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in biochemistry with a minor in global health. For the past three years, she has worked in Associate Professor Dan Fu's lab doing cell culture and cancer research. Outside of research she enjoys volunteering, playing volleyball, and cooking. After graduation, Renee hopes to make a positive impact on people's lives through research and medicine. She aspires to become an oncologist.
Saiyuri Suresh is a junior studying biochemistry and chemistry. During her time at UW, she has engaged in scientific research projects in the groups of Associate Professor Dan Fu and Assistant Professor Elli Theobald (Biology). She is a member of several student organizations and serves as the president of the Singaporean Student Association. She is interested in the intersection between science and technology, especially in the precision medicine space. Outside of academia, Saiyuri enjoys nature, Formula 1, pickleball, and traveling.
Zalia Jencks Rowe Undergraduate Tuition Scholarships
Jennifer Chun is a senior majoring in biochemistry with a minor in chemistry. She is passionate about drug development and aspires to make a meaningful impact on those in need through translational research. Jennifer previously worked in organic chemistry and chemical biology labs at Seoul National University in South Korea. Currently, she is an undergraduate researcher with Professor David Baker (Biochemistry), where she designs phosphorylation-inducible heterodimers. Outside the lab, she serves as president of The Catalysts, a biochemistry and chemistry journal club, and works as a chemistry tutor.
Lydia Woldemichael is a third-year undergraduate student studying biochemistry in Associate Professor Ronald Kwon's research group (Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine). She is working on identifying osteoblast marker genes using cross-species single-cell RNA sequencing and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in computational biology. Outside academics, she can be found tutoring K-12 students in math, baking something new, or watching crime shows like Blue Bloods.
Timberlake Endowed Scholarship for Undergraduate Students in Chemistry
Donna Greenman is a biochemistry major who hopes to enter the healthcare field and provide direct care to others. She grew up in the U-district and left Seattle to serve in the United States Navy for 12 years. After circumnavigating the world, trying out various career fields within the Navy, and starting her own family, she is thrilled to feed her curiosity and intellectual appetite for biochemistry at the UW. Besides studying, she enjoys rediscovering the Pacific Northwest with her family.
Congratulations to all our scholarship recipients!
These scholarships, totaling $33,000 this year, are made possible through individual and corporate philanthropy supporting undergraduate study in the Department of Chemistry. Thank you to our alumni, friends, and corporate partners who give generously to the University of Washington.
If you have questions about giving to the University of Washington or how you can support students studying chemistry and biochemistry, please contact Diana Knight, advancement & communications manager.