In the Department of Chemistry, we believe that diversity and inclusivity are integral to excellence and acknowledge that important work is being done by our students and postdoctoral researchers in this space. It is a pleasure to introduce the recent recipients of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Awards, selected by the Chemistry Diversity and Equity Steering Committee. These awards of $500 were supported by the Martin P. Gouterman Endowed Fund in honor of Professor Gouterman’s activism for the LGBTQ+ community and his legacy to create “a more humane and inclusive scientific enterprise” (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 9760–9770).
2024-2025
Alex Elbahr earned a B.S. in biochemistry in June 2025, where he combined his passion for science with a strong commitment to equity and community engagement. His work as an aspiring physician-scientist, dedicated mentor, and community-focused volunteer reflects a deep dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion in science and medicine. As a research fellow at the Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Alex had the opportunity to collaborate with scientists from a wide range of backgrounds, an experience that reinforced his belief that research is not only about generating findings, but also about ensuring those findings are accessible and applicable to individuals of all communities. Outside the lab, Alex served as a mentor in the Biology Students of Equity Mentorship Program, where he offered personalized academic support, career guidance, and encouragement to students navigating introductory biology courses. By drawing on his own academic journey, he helped mentees—many from underserved or underrepresented backgrounds—build confidence, develop scientific skills, and explore future paths in healthcare and research. In his community, Alex volunteers as a golf coach, where he enjoys working with individuals and teams to foster a sense of connection and shared growth. His coaching goes beyond technical instruction, focusing also on character-building and personal development—skills that his players can carry with them well beyond the sport. Whether in academic, research, or community settings, Alex leads with empathy, purpose, and a commitment to making science and mentorship accessible and inclusive for all. He plans to pursue a career as a physician dedicated to advancing equitable care through research and broadening access to opportunity.
Ashlyn Kamin earned their Ph.D. in June 2025 working with Assistant Professor Dianne Xiao. Her graduate work focused on using cycloparaphenylenes (“carbon nanohoops”) as building blocks in the development of new multifunctional materials.
Throughout her graduate career, Ashlyn mentored younger trans students as they navigated personal, legal, academic, funding, and socio-departmental challenges and transphobia. In their graduate lab and the department more broadly, Ashlyn staunchly advocated for more inclusive policies related to mental health accessibility, and mentorship. Ashlyn has dedicated herself to outreach, working regularly with the Clean Energy Institute, to introduce science to local K–12 students including those who are English-language learners, homeschooled, or have special needs. They have led lab tours and chemistry demonstrations, taught courses, and recorded virtual lab tours and “day in the life” videos to humanize the daily professional activities of real scientists. Through UAW4121, Ashlyn organized academic student employees across campus to ensure that the labor contract maintained livable wages and gender-affirming healthcare coverage and introduced additional protections for international students.
Ashlyn also advances DEI outside of the UW and STEM communities, devoting hundreds of hours to ongoing community-led work with unhoused people in the University District. They provide meals and hygiene supplies, help people access medical care, and fundraise. This community building work improves the material conditions of the most vulnerable people in our community, and Ashlyn feels this is one of their most important accomplishments during graduate school. They also strongly encourage others—especially those within the UW community—to support these community-led organizations including the People’s Harm Reduction Alliance, Subvert UD (Venmo @subvert_ud), Stop the Sweeps (Venmo @stopthesweepsseattle), and the Lavender Rights Project.
Ashlyn is a compassionate, caring, and thoughtful person, and beyond that, they consistently and intentionally work to ensure others can feel safe and secure. Their extensive service work and contributions in the community have made a lasting impact on their research group, the department, the UW graduate student body, pre-teen and teenage STEM students, and U-District residents.
2023-2024
Recognized at the April 2024 Awards Dinner and in last year’s honors list, these awards are now being featured in more detail to spotlight the meaningful work carried out by these students.
Juliette Chisam-Majid earned an M.S. in Applied Chemical Science and Technology in 2024. This award honors her community building within the Chemistry student body as well as her advocacy for human rights, disability rights, immigrant rights, and advocating for peace in the Middle East crisis. With this award money, she supported non-profit organizations, primarily around the Seattle area, that she believes have been leading by example for DEI and leadership. Juliette would like to uplift and promote these organizations by sharing them here.
- CAIR-WA has done amazing work across Washington, throughout Seattle, and at UW. Assisting students facing Islamophobia, providing community support, and being a resource for the Muslim community.
- Project ANAR provides legal services to the newly arrived Afghan community, most recently working to assist southern border arrivals and Afghans in detention, in addition to assistance with Humanitarian Parole and Asylum applications. Project ANAR has set itself apart as an organization that can assist the Afghan community while also addressing language and culture as Afghans work to navigate the U.S. immigration system.
- Zaytoon UW
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project promotes justice by defending and advancing the rights of immigrants through direct legal services, systemic advocacy, and community education.
Filip Stefanovic, Ph.C. has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their various leadership roles. Since their first quarter as a graduate student in 2021, they have been actively involved as a member of the Department of Chemistry’s Diversity and Equity Steering Committee. As vice-president the UW chapter of oSTEM, Filip organizes monthly community gatherings and is working toward creating new opportunities for students’ professional development. As a teaching assistant, Filip exceeds the commitment generally expected from a TA to ensure their students succeed and feel welcome through both group and one-on-one interactions.
In the Theberge research group, Filip has mentored numerous undergraduate researchers and master's students, many from groups underrepresented in research. However, Filip’s dedication extends beyond their involvement on campus. Filip’s research has focused on understudied, underrepresented, and underreported (U3) individuals. One of the studies they led aimed to demonstrate how a remote study design can be used to reach populations that would otherwise not have a chance to participate in research. This work will also serve as the basis for a future study that will determine how remote sampling tools can bridge the gap in telehealth practices and reduce barriers to accessing healthcare in U3 populations. Overall, Filip’s outstanding contributions to DEI leadership and their research activities have touched the department and campus communities and beyond.
Honorable Mentions 2023-24
Tristan Jafari ‘25
Devin Rollins, Ph.C.