The following undergraduate awards are bestowed on the top students in the year-long series of physical chemistry courses, honors organic chemistry courses, and honors general chemistry courses. Each $500 award is made possible through individual philanthropy supporting undergraduate study in the Department of Chemistry. These awards were disbursed in summer 2025 for the 2024-25 academic year.
P. C. CROSS AWARD
This award, funded by the Paul C. Cross Endowed Fund, is bestowed on the top students in a full year of physical chemistry courses, CHEM 455 (or 475), 456, and 457.
Mary Deng is a senior double majoring in biochemistry and math. She enjoys each of the interdisciplinary STEM fields, with a particular interest in physical chemistry. Previously, she studied nanocluster surfaces and is now researching wild knot theory. After graduating this spring, she hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematics.
Kieran Lyons is a graduating senior majoring in chemistry and mathematics. Since the spring quarter of 2025, Kieran has volunteered in Assistant Professor Matthew Golder’s research group, studying polymer synthesis techniques. After graduation, Kieran plans to pursue a Ph.D. in organic chemistry. Outside of class and research, Kieran enjoys sailing with the UW sailing team and playing piano and guitar.
HYP DAUBEN AWARD
This award, funded by the Hyp J. Dauben, Jr. Memorial Fund, is bestowed on the top students in the one-year series of honors organic chemistry courses, CHEM 335, 336, and 337.
Rittika Saha is a third-year undergraduate double majoring in biochemistry and microbiology, with a minor in English. She works in the research lab of Professor Alex Merz (Biochemistry), where she has been developing a genetic code expansion system to study Type IV Pilus proteins in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. After graduation, Rittika intends to pursue a Ph.D. and continue conducting research in cell structure and biochemistry. Outside of lab, she enjoys reading, photography, trying new crafts, and traveling.
HONORS GENERAL CHEMISTRY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This award, funded by the Rex and Ruth Robinson Scholarship in Chemistry, is bestowed on the top student in the one-year series of honors general chemistry courses, CHEM 145, 155, and 165.
Dahna Kim is a second-year biochemistry student conducting research in the groups of Professor Ashleigh Theberge and Assistant Professor Maya Chandru (Urology). She is currently investigating the efficacy of chemical preservatives for reliable UTI diagnostics, as well as studying the use of microfluidic devices to engineer 3D suspended tissue models. She is passionate about the intersection between chemistry and accessible, patient-centered healthcare, and hopes to bring this interdisciplinary perspective to her future pursuits in medicine. In her free time, Dahna enjoys running, reading, and writing poetry.
Congratulations to the recipients of these academic awards!
Thank you to our alumni and friends who give generously to fund these awards. 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.
Award recipients who did not express explicit consent to have their names, bios, or photos published are not included here.