2022
Christina Becraft
Institution: Johns Hopkins University
Faculty Mentor: Alexandra Velian
Christina is a rising junior attending Johns Hopkins University to study chemistry and applied math. This summer, she is researching the reactivity of black phosphorus with the overall goal of clean energy transformation in Alexandra Velian’s lab. In her free time, Christina enjoy playing the piano, going on walks or runs outside, baking, and listening to new music.
Cade Boggan
Institution: Howard University
Faculty Mentor: Corie Cobb
Cade is a rising junior attending Howard University, currently pursuing bachelor’s degrees in physics and mathematics. This summer, he is working under the guidance of Dr. Corie Cobb and three graduate students in her lab. Cade is designing a process to 3D print current collectors for batteries and developing code to analyze images of 3D battery electrodes to estimate dimensions and quality. In his internship last summer, he carried out an experiment to track colloid movement in liquid crystals. He plans to obtain a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on generating or storing renewable energy. In his free time, Cade enjoys climbing at the local bouldering gym and outdoor activities such as beach volleyball, hiking, and swimming.
Vanessa Cho
Institution: University of California, Los Angeles
Faculty Mentor: Dianne Xiao
Vanessa is rising junior at UCLA majoring in chemical engineering, and she hopes to pursue a career in renewable energy or energy storage in the future. This summer, she is working on synthesizing and testing the properties of a ligand in Professor Dianne Xiao’s lab, which specializes in synthetic inorganic and materials chemistry. In her free time, Vanessa likes to relax at home, play with her dog, and go out with friends.
Vyvyan Dao
Institution: University of Washington
Faculty Mentor: Vince Holmberg
Vyvyan is a rising sophomore at the University of Washington, where she is pursuing chemical engineering. This summer, she will be working at the Clean Energy Institute, developing nanocrystal anode materials for sodium-ion batteries in Holmberg lab. In her free time, Vyvyan enjoys spending time with friends and family, drawing, and listening to music.
Zelia Egan
Institution: Bowdoin College
Faculty Mentor: Cody Schlenker
Zelia is a rising sophomore at Bowdoin College in Maine where she is pursuing coordinate majors in Chemistry and Environmental Studies and a minor in Computer Science. In the Schlenker Lab this summer, she is synthesizing sensitizer molecules for a photon upconversion project that will enable more absorptive solar cells. After graduating from Bowdoin, she plans to go to graduate school and to keep seeking ways to cultivate a more environmentally sustainable and just world. Outside the lab, Zelia enjoys dancing, hiking, running, and volunteer trail work.
Isabel Friedrichs
Institution: Benedictine College
Faculty Mentor: David Ginger
Isabel is a rising senior at Benedictine College studying biology and chemistry, and this summer she is working in the Ginger Lab on the characterization of perovskites using microscopy. She is passionate about science as a tool to create a more sustainable future, and is excited to contribute to research in clean energy. This upcoming year, she will be applying for a PhD program and hopes to study at the University of Washington. In her free time, she loves to kayak, read fiction, thrift for clothes and books, and explore the nearby parks.
Cassandra Gerard
Institution: Carleton College
Faculty Mentor: Lilo Pozzo
Cassandra is a rising sophomore at Carleton College studying chemistry. At CEBR, she is working in Professor Lilo Pozzo’s lab studying the synthesis and shape optimization of silver nanoparticles using UV-visible spectroscopy and Opentrons. In the future, she hopes to do research using chemistry for sustainable and environmental solutions. In her free time, she plays violin, tennis, and lacrosse.
Isabel Hardy
Institution: Amherst College
Faculty Mentor: Matthew Golder
Isabel is a rising junior at Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts pursuing a major in Biochemistry and Biophysics. This summer she is working in the Golder lab researching how adding fluorinated functional groups to polymer chains changes its properties. Isabel works in an undergraduate biophysics lab at Amherst studying DNA folding by proteins. In the future, she hopes to pursue a PhD in organic chemistry or biochemistry with the hopes of focusing on medical research or teaching some form of chemistry. In her free time, she enjoys playing the guitar, singing, and spending time with her friends.
Julisa Juarez
Institution: Bennington College
Faculty Mentor: Cody Schlenker
Julisa graduated from Bennington College where she received her Bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a focus on environmental sustainability. This summer, she is working in the Shlenker Lab studying photon upconversion for solar energy applications. She’s excited to contribute to foundational research in optoelectronics and hopes the Clean Energy Bridge to Research program will inform her future research projects in environmental sustainability. Looking forward to starting her PhD in Chemistry at UW in the fall, Julisa plans to contribute to the growing accessibility of education on sustainable, clean energy and current technology as a Citizen Scientist. In her free time she enjoys karaoke, spending time with her cats, exploring with friends, and identifying bird calls around her environment.
Thuy Kim
Institution: Bellevue College
Faculty Mentor: Cody Schlenker
Thuy is a sophomore at Bellevue College and will be transferring to UW Bothell to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering. This summer, she is working on Clean Energy Bridge ( Li and Si `battery, specifically). She hopes to gain more lab experience after this summer research. During her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, cooking, painting, and hanging out with friends and family.
Chris Kleeves
Institution: Whatcom Community College
Faculty Mentor: Alex Mamishev
Chris is a sophomore at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, WA who is pursuing degrees in Environmental Engineering. This summer, they are working in the recently started Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) at the University of Wwashington, conducting energy assessments of small to medium sized manufacturers, and writing reports with recommendations to improve the manufacturer’s overall energy efficiency. In their free time, Chris enjoys playing video games, reading, traveling with friends, and building various puzzles and models.
Christopher Le
Institution: University of Washington
Faculty Mentor: Alex Mamishev
Christopher is a rising junior at University of Washington in the Electrical Engineering program. This summer, he will be working with SEAL and professor Alexander Mamishev, researching and developing new products in the medical and green energy technologies to produce and utilize energy efficiently. He hopes to gain a better understanding of working in the renewable energy field and contribute/produce cleaner energy products post-graduate. During his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, soccer, as well as going on new food adventures with his friends.
Ella Ramos-O’Neill
Institution: University of Washington
Faculty Mentor: Jerry Seidler
Ella is a rising sophomore at the University of Washington planning on studying mechanical engineering. This summer, she is working in Professor Seidler’s lab using X-ray emission spectroscopy to investigate properties of ion spectra. Ella hopes to have a career working to solve environmental problems. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, knitting, reading and baking.
Elizabeth Speck
Institution: Hillsdale College
Faculty Mentor: Samson Jenekhe
Elizabeth is a rising junior at Hillsdale College pursuing a degree in chemistry with a minor mathematics. This summer, she is working in the Jenekhe lab under the mentorship of Sarah West where she will aid in the synthesis of polymers to be used as organic semiconductors. After completing her undergraduate degree, she hopes to earn her PhD in chemistry with the goal of using chemistry to combat the climate crisis. Outside of the lab, Elizabeth enjoys crocheting, spending time with friends, and hiking.