2019
Abby Peddle
Institution: College of St. Benedict
Faculty Mentor: Christine Luscombe, Chemical Engineering
Abby Peddle is a rising junior at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota where she is a double major in chemistry and art. She is studying semiconductor polymer synthesis for use in organic electronics and solar cells at the University of Washington through the Center for C-H Functionalization with the Luscombe Lab. This is her second summer research experience, and she hopes to gain more knowledge about lab techniques and research through this program. She enjoys making art such as paintings or pottery, singing, hiking, and reading in her spare time. She hopes to combine her love of art and science by one day creating and designing her own line of skincare products.
2018
Inna Fomina
Institution: University of Washington, Bothell
Faculty Mentor: Christine Luscombe, Materials Science & Engineering
Inna is a rising senior at UW Bothell, majoring in chemistry. This summer, she is part of the Center for C-H Functionalization Research Program, where she is working with the Luscombe Lab. The goal of their research is to find a greener way to make semiconducting polymers, which have variety of applications, such as organic electrics and organic solar cells. She hopes this opportunity will expand her knowledge of the vast chemistry field, as well as gain research experience. Outside her academic life, Inna likes to bake and spend time outdoors with friends and family, particularly at Ocean Shores.
2017
Nathan Turner
Institution: Louisiana Tech University
Faculty Mentor: Christine Luscombe, Materials Science & Engineering
Nathan is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As a second-year undergraduate at Louisiana Tech University, he is studying Chemistry with a minor in Education and Communications with a concentration in Theatre. His goal is to become a chemistry teacher or researcher and work for a mission board. Nathan likes to read, play video games, and watch movies.
2016
Gina Ouellette
Institution: Pacific University
Faculty Mentor: Christine Luscombe, Materials Science & Engineering
Gina is a rising senior at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. At her home institution she was a Teaching Assistant for chemistry classes and now works as a Resident Assistant on campus. Majoring in Chemistry, she hopes to use her knowledge of science to research development of treatments for diseases and pathogens, and her senior year research will focus on synthesizing analogues of turmeric, a root found to have many physiologically-relevant properties. While not studying, Gina dances as a member of the school’s dance ensemble, and she enjoys reading. She’s excited for the opportunities the CSURP program will provide, particularly the experience of working in a large lab. This summer she is working in a materials science lab to develop more efficient ways to make polymers and C-H activation.
2015
Quynh Do
Institution: Portland Community College
Faculty Mentor: Christine Luscombe, Materials Science & Engineering
Quynh moved from Vietnam to Portland, Oregon with her parents and sister two years ago. She attended Portland Community College and will be transferring to University of Washington in Fall 2015. This is Quynh’s first research experience. She is working in Dr. Luscombe Lab in which they focus on making the synthesizing process of solar cells more efficient. Quynh is now working on carbon-hydrogen activation of monomers used in polymerization for solar cells. This can potentially help to reduce the synthesizing steps of polymers from 10-15 steps to a much smaller number. As a result, producing solar panels can be more efficient, cost-effective, and more environmental friendly. Being one of the first generation in a low-income family to attend college, Quynh hopes to set a new pathway for the younger generation in her family. In her free time, Quynh likes playing video games and watching TV series such as The Walking Dead.