We are pleased to introduce you to our undergraduate students supported by departmental scholarships! Departmental scholarships -- totaling $42,000 this spring -- are funded by the endowments and current-use funds listed below. These funds were established by alumni, faculty, and friends to provide broad-based support to the Department of Chemistry or direct financial support to students majoring in chemistry or biochemistry. Thank you to our alumni, friends, and corporate partners who give generously to the University of Washington.
Theodore R. Beck Endowed Student Support Fund in Chemistry
Andrew Woo is a first generation Taiwanese–Burmese college senior graduating with a B.S. in biochemistry and B.A. in medical anthropology. Andrew works with Dr. Nicholas Chavkin at Seattle Children’s Research Institute conducting transcriptional knock downs and gene expression analyses to study the role of the SOX17 gene in human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells. He is a founder and co-president of Students for Nuclear Justice and a co-vice president of Husky Running Club. Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with his girlfriend and friends, running, and playing board games with
his family.
Henry K. Benson Scholarship in Chemistry
Kyle Hucko is a chemistry student heading to the Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the University of Colorado this August, where he'll be pursuing his PharmD. He currently works at UW Medical Center in the transplant department and is a founding member of Narcare, a nonprofit focused on Narcan distribution and opioid policy advocacy. He's spent three years teaching a first-year seminar on campus and got his start in research with Professor Brandi Cossairt’s chemistry lab – though that was cut short when he stepped away to care for his mom through her illness and passing. These days he finds his reset in national parks, hiking trails, with friends, or in the ever-moving world of sports.
Gerald and Sheila Berkelhammer Endowed Fund
Kamaya Ronning is a senior majoring in chemistry with a minor in applied mathematics. For the past four years, she has worked in Associate 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, where she works on outreach with Seattle elementary school students. Kamaya grew up in Los Alamos, New Mexico and outside of school, she enjoys playing on the UW Water Polo team, running, cooking, and reading.
Linda Wang is a graduating senior majoring in biochemistry and public health-global health. For the past three 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.
Boeing Scholarship in Chemistry
Tram Nguyen is a graduating senior majoring in biochemistry and minoring in chemistry. During her time at the University of Washington, she has worked in multiple research settings in both the United States and internationally, developing strong interests in infectious diseases, microbiology, and vaccine development. Her previous research at the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit focused on the detection and characterization of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae strains with clinical relevance. Currently, Tram is an undergraduate researcher in the group of Professor Kevin Hybiske at UW Medicine, where she investigates the role of semen and extracellular vesicles in Chlamydia trachomatis infection of human cell lines. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, contributing to vaccine development and research aimed at improving public health outcomes.
Leland and Eleanor Burger Endowed Scholarship Fund
Damon Wing Hey Chan is a graduating senior majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, and microbiology. He joined the group of Professor Ashleigh Theberge in July 2024, where he has been conducting interdisciplinary research exploring the fundamental properties of microfluidics and applying these principles to biosampling device applications. After graduation, Damon hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in chemical biology, incorporating his interdisciplinary interests into future projects.
Samir Faruq is a graduating senior pursuing a B.A. in chemistry and biochemistry with a minor in human rights. He is a member of Professor David Baker’s research group (Biochemistry), where he designs de novo mini-proteins that target Acinetobacter baumannii adhesins as a potential therapeutic in preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Samir grew up in St. Louis where he first developed an interest in chemistry and its applications in healthcare. Outside of the lab, he enjoys folding origami, volunteering with refugee youth, and engaging in survivor advocacy work.
James B. and Elzelina J. Callis Endowed Student Support Fund in Chemistry
Renee Sun is a senior majoring in biochemistry with a minor in global health. She conducted undergraduate research with Professor Dan Fu, studying cell culture and cellular drug uptake. Passionate about bridging science and healthcare, Renee volunteers at Harborview Medical Center supporting patients with delirium and works with seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball and cooking.
Lydia Woldemichael
Chemistry Scholarship Fund
Undarmaa Battur is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. She is a member of Professor Munira Khalil’s research group, where she has spent the past year synthesizing mixed-valence transition metal complexes and investigating their electron dynamics. In addition to her research, Undarmaa has served as a teaching assistant for the general chemistry series over the past two quarters. Outside of academics, she enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and engaging in creative projects and crafts. After graduating, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry or a related field.
Madhavi Karthik is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in biochemistry and minoring in data science. She conducts research in Associate Professor Andrea Wills' lab (Biochemistry), where she analyzes pentose phosphate pathway activity during appendage regeneration in Xenopus tadpoles. After graduation, Madhavi hopes to pursue her Ph.D. and decode drug delivery strategies to combat human diseases. Outside of research, Madhavi enjoys exploring walkable cities, rewatching her favorite shows, and trying new bakeries.
Chemistry Scholarship Fund
In memory of Aidan O’Brien
Jane McKelvey is a third-year undergraduate majoring in biochemistry and mathematics, with a minor in music. She works in the group of Associate Professor Jorge Marchand (Chemical Engineering), where she studies unnatural base pairing Xeno nucleic acids in E. coli. Outside the lab, Jane enjoys running, baking, and supporting UW athletics as a member of the Husky Marching Band.
Earl W. Davie Endowed Scholarship in Chemistry or Biochemistry
Xueman Zhang (Cher) is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in biochemistry. She is a member of Professor Nina Isoherranen’s research lab (Pharmacy), where she focuses on characterizing the metabolism of retinoic acid through glucuronidation and assessing the stability of glucuronide metabolites. In her free time, she enjoys baking, painting, and exploring cafés.
Ed F. and Clara M. Degering Trust Fund
Fevet Ibrahim is a senior, completing triple degrees in biochemistry, neuroscience, and philosophy (with an ethics concentration), 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.
Jolene Q. Nguyen is a senior preparing to begin pharmacy school this fall at the University of Washington. Her passion for pharmacy is rooted in both research and community engagement, as demonstrated through her work studying enteroids and drug metabolism with Professor Ed Kelly and Associate Professor Catherine Yeung (Pharmacy), as well as her leadership in the Pre-Pharmacy Club. She is dedicated to understanding how medications affect the body and to supporting others pursuing similar paths. Outside of academics, she enjoys running, discovering new recipes, and sharing food
with friends.
Donald J. Hanahan Endowed Scholarship in Chemistry or Biochemistry
Melina Li is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in biochemistry and mathematics. She conducts research in Assistant Professor Young Kwon’s group (Biochemistry), investigating the role of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in tumor-induced cachexia. Outside of the lab, she volunteers as an escort team leader at UW Medical Center and plays on UW’s club volleyball team. She plans on pursuing an M.D.-Ph.D. in the future with hopes of being a pathologist.
Christopher and Karen Pohl Endowed Fund in Chemistry
Tiffany Do is a senior undergraduate who will graduate this spring with a B.S. in biochemistry. She is in the lab of Dr. Jay Shendure (Genome Sciences). Her research explores how non-coding DNA elements, particularly enhancers, regulate gene expression and respond to cellular signaling. She conducts experiments using massively parallel reporter assays to map which regions of enhancers are necessary for gene activation. Tiffany grew up in Kent, Washington and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences. Outside the lab, she enjoys crocheting, playing the violin and saxophone, and runs a small crafting business, Avian and Arbor Arts.
Maria Kang is a fourth-year biochemistry student who has spent the past three years conducting research at the Seattle Children’s Research Institute under Dr. Weston Powell, studying the relationship between circadian rhythms and human airway diseases. Outside of the lab, Maria is passionate about building supportive communities, serving as a resident advisor and president of the American Medical Women’s Association. After graduation, Maria plans to pursue an M.D. and contribute to advancing circadian cancer research.
Rex and Ruth Robinson Scholarship in Chemistry
Aida W. Chan is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in biochemistry with a minor in bioethics. She is a member of Professor Sean Murphy’s research group (Laboratory Medicine & Pathology) and is currently investigating the potential of ribosomal proteins as biomarkers for malaria rapid diagnostic tests. In a rare and highly valued moment of free time, you can find Aida playing music both independently as a pianist and in orchestral settings as a violinist, swimming at the IMA pool, attempting (with varying degrees of success) to run along the Burke-Gilman, or reading.
Phoebe Chu is a third-year student majoring in biochemistry and creative writing. An interest in carbon capture and clean energy solutions led to working in Associate Professor Dianne Xiao's lab, researching redox-active materials alongside Phuong Le. Phoebe hopes to be part of a solution to anthropogenic climate change through research. Outside of the laboratory, Phoebe writes climate fiction and other short form pieces to communicate visions of a more equitable and decarbonized future.
Mia Grayson is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying biochemistry with departmental honors and pursuing minors in Spanish, music and chemistry. She is a past member of Professor Mary Lidstrom’s group (Chemical Engineering), where she worked on genetic and metabolic engineering of methane-consuming bacteria as a method to mitigate climate change. She now works as a CLUE chemistry tutor, and loves teaching. Outside of class and the lab, she loves playing violin and viola in many ensembles on and off campus.
Zalia Jencks Rowe Scholarship
Maya Kunz-Taguchi is a graduating senior majoring in chemistry. She previously worked in electroanalytical chemistry research in Professor Bo Zhang’s group. Currently, she is an undergraduate researcher with Associate Professor Cody Schlenker, where she uses spectroscopic techniques to characterize upconverting organic materials. She aspires to contribute towards the development of clean energy technology and a greener future through her research. Outside the lab, she is an active member in the Japanese Student Association and works as a teaching assistant for the Department of Chemistry. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in physical chemistry.
Alice Leppert is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in chemistry with minors in math, physics, and data science. She is in the research group of Professor Daniel Gamelin, working on theoretically calculating phase diagrams for alloyed materials. She plans to further her studies in materials science and pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry after graduation. Outside of schoolwork, she likes playing her violin in UW’s Symphony Orchestra and watching movies.
Timberlake Endowed Fund for Undergraduate Students in Chemistry
Shrinidhi (Rin) Prabhakaran is a junior majoring in biochemistry and bioengineering. She is also an undergraduate researcher with Assistant Professor Andrea Durant (Biology) and Professor Suzie Pun (Bioengineering). In the Durant Lab, Rin studies the novel salt secretion strategies used by invertebrate mosquito larvae to better understand physiological adaptation. In the Pun Lab, Rin synthesizes polymeric drugs for traumatic injury applications. Through this interdisciplinary research, Rin has developed a strong interest in translational science and drug delivery and plans to pursue graduate study in this field. Additionally, Rin is a CLUE chemistry exam review tutor and a Seattle Science Lab mentor. Outside of school, she loves reading and cooking.
Congratulations to all our scholarship recipients!
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.