The Department of Chemistry is pleased to announce the following awards that recognize outstanding contributions to research and our program by doctoral students and carry a $1,000 prize. The awards are funded by endowments made possible through philanthropic support of faculty, friends, and alumni.
Excellence in Graduate Research Award, Analytical Chemistry
Funded by the Kwiram/CCR Fellowship
Lauren Brown is a doctoral candidate in the research group of Professor Ashleigh Theberge. She is working on developing an open microfluidic device for modeling facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) and monitoring immune response to wildfire smoke exposure using an at-home blood sampling kit. Lauren grew up in Rutherfordton, North Carolina and graduated with a B.S. in chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (go Heels!). When she’s not babysitting her muscle cells in lab or thinking about blood, Lauren enjoys reading fantasy, crocheting, attempting to embroider, and urban hiking to Golden Gardens.
Brian Wong is a doctoral candidate in the research group of Associate Professor Dan Fu. He earned a B.S. in biochemistry and a B.A. in chemistry, along with a minor in Japanese, from the University of Washington in 2020. He subsequently completed an M.S. in Applied Chemical Science and Technology at the UW in 2022. His current research focuses on developing and applying stimulated Raman scattering techniques to investigate drug products and drug–cell interactions at the cellular level.
Excellence in Graduate Research Award, Inorganic Chemistry
Funded by the Ritter Endowed Scholarship Fund and the Mary K. Simeon and Goldie Simeon Read Chemistry Research Endowment
Phuong Le is a doctoral candidate in Assistant Professor Dianne Xiao’s lab, where she’s on a mission to develop novel materials for electrochemical CO2 capture (saving the planet, one reaction at a time!). Originally from the coastal city of Da Nang, Vietnam, Phuong earned a B.S. in chemistry with a minor in biochemistry from St. John’s University. When she’s not in the lab, you’ll likely find her cozied up at home with her two mischievous cats, wandering the aisles of a grocery store like it’s a museum, or exploring Seattle’s hills and hidden gems on an urban hike (always on the lookout for tasty eats).
Devin Rollins is a doctoral candidate in Assistant Professor Dianne Xiao's research group. He has been working on synthesizing porous materials with precise active sites as catalysts for biomass utilization. Devin grew in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he received a B.S. in biochemistry from the University of New Mexico. Outside of lab, Devin enjoys long distance running, teaching group fitness classes, and reading fiction.
Excellence in Graduate Research Award, Organic Chemistry
Funded by the Irving and Mildred Shain Endowed Fund in Chemistry
Kiera Sumida is a doctoral candidate in the group of Professor David Baker (Biochemistry). Her research leverages de novo protein design tools to create novel plastic-degrading enzymes. Kiera grew up in Oakland, California and received her B.S. in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, making art, and spending time with friends.
Siwei Yu is a doctoral candidate in the group of Professor Alshakim Nelson specializing in light-assisted 3D printing, polymer–protein composites, and photoprogrammable biomaterials.
Excellence in Graduate Research Award, Physical Chemistry
Funded by the Kwiram/CCR Fellowship
Andrew Rossi is a doctoral candidate in the research group of Professor David Masiello. His research focuses on developing models and simulation tools to help elucidate the properties of 2D crystalline materials with an emphasis on describing their interaction with optical- and electron-based probes. Andrew grew up in Warren, Ohio and graduated with a B.S. in chemistry from the Ohio State University.
Madeline Wong is a doctoral candidate in the research group of Professor Joshua Vaughan. She is studying hematopoietic stem cell differentiation through single molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization. Madeline grew up in Mamaroneck, New York and received a B.S. in biochemistry from Lehman College, CUNY. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling or cooking.
Excellence in Graduate Leadership and Service Award
Funded by the Bernard and Claudine Nist Endowed Research Fund in Chemistry
Kayla A. Markuson is a second-year Ph.D. student in the research group of Assistant Professor Nicholas M. Riley. She uses gas phase ion-ion reactions to further our understanding of the complex world of glycoproteomics. Kayla is from her favorite state, Minnesota, and received a B.A. in Spanish and a B.S. in biochemistry from Drake University. If she's not at work making coffee for her office, you can likely find her watching a Wild game or playing volleyball.
Filip Stefanovic is a doctoral candidate developing tools for remote sample collection and stabilization for clinical research under the guidance of Professor Ashleigh Theberge. Filip is (very proudly) from Boston, where they completed their undergraduate degree at the University of Massachusetts. Filip is passionate about the environment, community building, and teaching, and hopes to combine all three in their future career as a teaching professor.
Eden Tzanetopoulos is a doctoral candidate in the research group of Professor Daniel Gamelin. She works on the synthesis and morphological control of inorganic fluoride nanocrystals as well as the spectroscopy of chromium-based chalcogenide and oxide materials. Eden grew up in Los Angeles and attended the University of California, Berkeley for her B.S. in chemistry. In her free time, she enjoys joining intramural leagues of sports she's never played before, baking, and curating music for her weekly radio show.
Congratulations to these PhD candidates for their excellent accomplishments!