2023
Autumn Abbott
Institution: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, College of Science and Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Brandi Cossairt
Autumn is a rising junior at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. This summer she is working with Forrest Eagle and Sam Harvey in the Cossairt Lab. She will be performing cation exchange in Indium Phosphide Magic Size Clusters and characterizing the new compounds. In her free time, she enjoys video games, reading, playing guitar, hiking, and spending time with friends.
Cecilia Abella
Institution: University of Hawaii at Manoa
Faculty Mentor: Lilo Pozzo
Cecilia is a rising senior at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. This summer, Cecilia is working with the Pozzo group on laboratory automation through Jubilee, an open-hardware multi-tool fabrication machine. After summer, she plans to take her knowledge of laboratory automation back to her institution to improve her research on the modification of metal borides through ultrasonication for hydrogen storage applications. Beyond her academic pursuits, Cecilia enjoys reading on the beach, hiking, and spending time with friends.
Amanda Brunken
Institution: Rochester Institute of Technology
Faculty Mentor: Xiaosong Li
Amanda is a rising junior attending Rochester Institute of Technology pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics with minors in Chemistry and Military Science and Leadership. This summer she is working under the guidance of the Li Research Group to assess the differences between Indium and coin metals (Au/Ag/Cu) in nanoclusters. In her free time, she enjoys running, climbing, and exploring with friends.
Garett Costa
Institution: University of Hawaii at Manoa
Faculty Mentor: Xiaodong Xu
Giulianna De La Torre
Institution: University of Central Florida
Faculty Mentor: Xiaodong Xu
Giulianna is a senior at University of Central Florida and is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Condensed Matter Physics. This summer she is working in Xiaodong Xu’s lab aiding in the production of superconducting gated devices and characterizing exotic quantum materials using Raman spectroscopy along with measuring their magnetic properties. Her hobbies and interests include collecting rocks, running and working out, exploring new places, crafting, and listening to music.
Rodney Deacon
Institution: Green River College
Faculty Mentor: Kai-Mei Fu
Rodney is a rising junior who has recently completed classes at the local Green River College. This summer, he is testing new acquired materials in order to find a potential replacement for the storage of quantum bits in Kai-Mei Fu’s lab. In his free time, Rodney enjoys playing Go, researching theology, enjoying the company of friends, and being introduced to new music.
Maria Lourdes Felix
Institution: University of Washington
Faculty Mentor: Scott Dunham
Maria is a rising sophomore attending the University of Washington, where she is planning on majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering. She will work in Dunham Lab this summer through the Molecular Engineering Materials Center (MEM-C). Her work will focus on studying the properties of CdSe nanocrystals through their nanocrystal-ligand interactions. With the help of her mentor, Anna Merkulova, she hopes to document the similarities and differences between CdSe and related nanocrystal structures. After this summer, she hopes to stay involved with academic research. In her free time, Maria likes to play guitar, relax, and hang out with friends.
Scott Fitzgerald
Institution: University of Hawaii at Manoa
Faculty Mentor: Mo Li
Scott is a 3rd year Economics BS student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He is working in the Materials Sciences laboratory of the College of Electrical Engineering with the goal of creating a more efficient wave form Photonics circuit. He enjoys volleyball, badminton, and surfing, as well as reading.
Christopher Freitas
Institution: University of Hawaii at Manoa
Faculty Mentor: Jiun-Haw Chu
Christopher is from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He grew up in Oahu, Honolulu, and is currently a senior in mechanical engineering with an aerospace concentration. His hobbies include going to the gym. He also speaks Japanese because he lived in Japan for 3 years for college back in 2016. In the future he hopes to work for Boeing, Nasa, Space X, or CERN studying materials science, aerodynamics, or particle physics – priorities being in that order.
Joshua Huber
Institution: University of Washington
Faculty Mentor: Alshakim Nelson
Joshua is a rising junior attending the University of Washington, majoring in Bioengineering. Joshua worked at the Nelson Research Laboratory, researching the properties of a certain protein-polymer web. Unrelatedly, Joshua is the drummer of a small startup band, named “11:59”. In his free time, Joshua enjoys playing with his cats and gaming with his friends.
Terrick McNealy-James
Institution: University of Central Florida
Faculty Mentor: Daniel Gamelin
Terrick is a senior student at the University of Central Florida, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Physics. Currently engaged in research within the Gamelin group, he focuses on redox-flow batteries. With the goal of optimizing efficiency and performance, he aims to expand the practical applications of these energy storage systems. Beyond his academic pursuits, he enjoys reading, exploring nature, camping, swimming, and engaging in creative activities.
Marisol Mendoza
Institution: Columbia Basin Community College
Faculty Mentor: Mo Li
Marisol is an incoming Hispanic sophomore at Columbia Basin Community College, and she plans to continue her pursuit of knowledge at the University of Washington, where she will pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering. This summer, Marisol immerses herself in the fascinating domain of Raman Spectroscopy in 2D materials. Through her dedicated efforts, she aspires to propel the applications of these materials by unraveling the untapped potential and exploring their diverse phonon modes. Her primary area of interest lies in advancing sustainable energy and finding engineering solutions to combat climate change. Marisol is a dedicated undergraduate with a passion for chess, learning Arabic, and hiking.
Jade Paranhos Lopes
Institution: University of Hawaii at Manoa
Faculty Mentor: Vince Holmberg
Jade is a rising senior at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she is pursuing a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following her senior year, she will be pursuing her masters in Mechanical Engineering. This summer she is working in the Holmberg Lab, she is focused on synthesizing Chalcogenide Perovskites for Photovoltaic application. In her free time she enjoys surfing, hiking, and spending time with friends.
Sahana Sateesh
Institution: University of Washington
Faculty Mentor: Alshakim Nelson
Sahana is a rising sophomore at the University of Washington intending to major in Bioengineering. This summer, she is working at the Nelson Lab, which specializes in the synthesis, characterization, and processing of stimuli-responsive materials for 3D printing. Sahana’s project involves synthesizing and testing the properties of a protein-based hydrogel. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, music, and spending time with friends and family.
Amber Singleton
Institution: University of Chicago
Faculty Mentor: Jihui Yang
Amber is attending the University of Chicago as a rising second year. She is currently studying molecular engineering. This summer, she is observing the effects of changing the different fabrication parameters on cathodes within lithium-ion batteries. She is working in Jihui Yang’s lab, which is part of a nationwide research association, working towards the next generation of batteries for electric vehicle use. She hopes to make a memorable summer in the work space, and also in her personal life. She looks forward to going on spontaneous trips with the students at UW and also finding new gym buddies to workout with.
Carlos Weckmann
Institution: Green River College
Faculty Mentor: Daniel Gamelin
Carlos is a sophomore at Green River College, where he is pursuing his degree in material science engineering. His interests are anything 3D designed, composite manufactured, and polymers. This summer, he will be working on the development of nanocrystals in Professor Daniel Gamelin’s lab, which their research is to develop new functional properties in the synthesis of inorganic materials in semiconductors. He hopes to further understand 2D heterostructure properties at a nano level and understand chemical compounds’ characteristics. During his off time, he enjoys staying active, whether it is gym exercising, climbing, or hiking. He also enjoys 3D printing and road trips while listening to music.