2023
Chris Becraft
Institution: Johns Hopkins University
Faculty Mentor: Jim Pfaendnter
Christina is a rising junior attending University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study mathematics with a minor in statistics and chemistry. This summer, she is working in the Pfaendtner Lab to study the interactions of proteins with ions and surfaces using computer simulations and machine learning, with applications in biomaterials. In her free time, Christina enjoys playing the piano, going on walks or runs outside, baking, and listening to new music.
Simone-Soleil Blanquera
Institution: Wellesley College
Faculty Mentor: Samson Jenekhe
Soleil is a rising junior at Wellesley College pursuing a degree is biology, with special interest in ecology, renewable energy and forensic science. This summer, she is working in the Jenekhe Lab to synthesize and characterize novel ladder polymers for the use in solar cells. In her free time, Soleil likes to read, hang out by the water and find new places to eat with her friends.
Sebastian Bustos-Nuno
Institution: University of Washington
Faculty Mentor: Devin MacKenzie
Sebastian is a rising junior in mechanical engineering at the University of Washington. This summer, he will help advance scalable perovskite solar photovoltaics at the UW Clean Energy Institute’s Washington Clean Energy Testbeds, working with ME Ph.D. student Ethan Schwartz and Testbeds technical director J. Devin MacKenzie. Specifically, his project will focus on efficiently pulling power out of solar cells, which is one of the hardest challenges but potentially most impactful advances for perovskite solar from an engineering perspective. Sebastian’s CEBR experience is supported by the UW Alliances for Learning and Vision for Underrepresented Americans program.
Nathanael Konwent
Institution: Pierce College
Faculty Mentor: Cody Schlenker
Nathanael is a rising junior at the University of Washington in the Mechanical Engineering program. This summer, he will be working with CEBR and Tyson Carr in the Schlenker lab, researching lithium-ion batteries — specifically, replacing the graphite anode component with a silicon component that can store up to 10 times as much energy. If the experiments are successful it would result in a multi-billion dollar industry.
He hopes to get a significant amount of experience working in the lab, additionally, he hopes to get research experience.
During his free time, he enjoys the gym, hiking, and exploring new places with friends.
Deserée Lai
Institution: North Seattle Community College
Faculty Mentor: Dianne Xiao
Deserée is a rising junior at University of Washington pursuing condensed matter physics. This summer, she is excited to be working in the Xiao Lab on metal-organic macrocycles. Receiving her Associates of Science from North Seattle College, Deserée comes to the University of Washington with a passion for supporting community college students and lowering barriers to emerging STEM students from similar environments. She is dedicated to outreach and creating new pathways for more diverse representation across STEM disciplines. Deserée also enjoys using her free time to camp, backpack, ski, and travel.
Karina Osma Perez
Institution: Seattle Central College
Faculty Mentor: Lilo Pozzo
Karina is a passionate student with a strong commitment to creating a more equitable world by addressing global challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation, poverty, and inequality. Having recently graduated from Seattle Central College, she is now preparing to enter her junior year at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she will pursue a bachelor’s in industrial engineering. This summer, Karina’s research focus will be on investigating the relationship between the structural characteristics and mixed conductive properties of OMIECS by utilizing methods such as OECTs, EIS and angle scattering techniques, which will have significant implications for the design and development of advanced organic electronic materials, opening potential applications in fields such as energy storage, sensing, and electronic devices. Karina will be conducting her research in Pozzo’s Lab. Apart from her academic pursuits, Karina is an avid reader, dancer, and explorer.
Selim Saridede
Institution: University of Washington
Faculty Mentor: David Bergsman
Selim is a rising sophomore at the University of Washington. As a member of a CEI research team, he is involved in studying the photosensitivity behavior of hybrid molecular layer deposition (MLD) processes for EUV lithography. Their primary focus is on improving the stability and resolution of silicon chips. His fascination with microchips and semiconductor silicon production was further sparked during a recent project, motivating him to delve deeper into this field. With a strong dedication and diverse interests, he is eager to contribute to technological advancements. Outside of academics, he finds joy in playing and watching soccer, exploring nature through hiking, and spending time with his friends.
Kcsondra Sauer
Institution: Green River College
Faculty Mentor: Jiun-Haw Chu
Kcsondra is a Junior at Green River College, studying Physics. This summer, she is working in Professor Jiun-Haw Chu’s Quantum Materials Lab, where she is studying many-body quantum systems via crystal synthesis and transport measurements, with a goal to understand these novel systems and control their quantum behavior. Her focus is on synthesizing and analyzing a novel quantum material with potential for unconventional charge density wave (CDW) phase transitions. Outside of official research, she finds peace in reading science- fact and fiction, cooking, and spending quality time with friends and family. With a deep inquisitive nature and an inherent curiosity for the mysticism and bounds of existence, she intends to pursue a career in theoretical physics and scientific consulting.
Natalie Gisselle Toledo
Institution: University of Washington
Faculty Mentor: David Ginger
Natalie is a rising sophomore at the University of Washington pursuing a civil engineering degree. This summer, she will be working at the Clean Energy Institute in the Ginger Lab optimizing perovskite device interlayers for solar cell applications. The engineering area of impact she is most passionate about is environmental sustainability. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking, reading books, and learning new languages.
Hanna Wosen
Institution: Howard University
Faculty Mentor: Alexandra Velian
Hanna is a rising junior at Howard University pursuing a degree in chemistry with a double minor in mathematics and biology. This summer, she will be working for CEBR in the Velian lab. Under her mentor’s guidance, Robert Love, they will be working on synthesizing clusters made of inorganic compounds to act as catalysts for redox reactions. If all goes well, these clusters will be able to harbor multiple active sites and do more than just redox reactions. She is excited to be a part of something that has been a long time coming and only hopes to add positively to such a welcoming community. Hanna plans on obtaining an M/D and becoming a surgeon, though this summer may change her mind. In her free time, she enjoys taking long walks with scenic views, trying new video games, watching horror movies with her friends, and listening to her favorite band on repeat: The Garden.