Undergraduate of the Quarter « The Erlenmeyer Flask

Undergraduate of the Quarter - Winter 2014 — Undergraduate of the Quarter – Winter 2014

Corinne Brucks has been selected as one of our Undergrads of the Quarter for Winter 2014. Corinne grew up in Beaverton area. She became interested in Chemistry at a young age (6-7th grade). One of the advantages she notes from being homeschooled was that she was able to devote considerable time to her interests in Chemistry. She wrote long reports on chemistry topics and read multiple books on the subject from her local library – including a book series on each element and “The Periodic Kingdom” which she particularly enjoyed. She initially enrolled at Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri where she got an Associate Degree in Science. It was a professor at Cottey (Dr. Ganga Fernando) who was a key mentor that got the ball rolling for Corinne, providing her first research opportunity and encouraging her to apply to summer undergraduate research internships. Corinne is particularly grateful to Dr. Fernando for her help. Corinne always planned to return to OSU to complete her BS degree because of the strong reputation for its science program, and she loves OSU and Corvallis. Her favorite classes so far at OSU have been Inorganic Chemistry (CH 411 & CH 412) and Dr. Ji has been her favorite Chemistry instructor. She has had multiple research opportunities at OSU. Her minor in computer science was inspired by a summer internship through our NSF Center for Sustainable Materials Chemistry (led by OSU Chemistry Professor Doug Keszler) in Professor Paul Cheong’s lab. Last summer, she completed another CSMC internship down at the University of Oregon in Professor Mark Lonergan’s lab. She is currently working on an Undergraduate Research, Innovation, Scholarship and Creativity (URISC) supported project with Professor Sean Burrows on applying MATLAB to create algorithms for making the best biosensors. After graduation, she wants to go to graduate school in Chemistry. Her dream job would be to be a professor where she can teach and do research. She comments that she “enjoys explaining concepts to people”. While not studying chemistry, Corinne likes to do ballroom dancing on campus. Corinne is another wonderful example of the high caliber students that we attract to OSU Chemistry, and we are so proud of her successes.

Update: Corrine was also the recipient of the 1st ever Keith McKennon Memorial Scholarship. The Chemistry Department is grateful for the support of alumni and friends who established this Scholarship. Corinne, will do a wonderful job of honoring this long-time friend of the Department through her contributions to the state, nation, and world.

Stefan was born in Indiana where he lived for his first six years. He subsequently moved around (Florida then British Columbia then Washington DC) before finally settling in the Lake Oswego area 16 years ago. He wanted to come to OSU to take advantage of our in-state tuition and because he was interested in research. He has a deep commitment to giving back to society – believing that we exist for the sake of making societal progress (the idealized world of “Star Trek”). At OSU, he has been surprised how much the professors will do to foster his growth. He has worked particularly closely with Distinguished Emeritus Professor Darrah Thomas and Distinguished Professor Doug Keszler – commenting “I was surprised how important I was to them… they have been insanely supportive.” in fact, his life-long goal is to “follow in the footsteps of Dr. Ken Hedberg and Dr. Thomas by continuing to do research as long as possible.” His favorite courses so far have been in the Physical Chemistry series and his favorite professor has been Professor Wei Kong. Professor Kong “stays true to the material, doesn’t dumb it down – very pure.” Stefan is already following through on his commitment to giving back to society by serving as an Undergrad Research Ambassador. He gives talks to new students to get them excited about science. Once he graduates he plans to get a masters degree in Chemistry before pursuing his PhD. After school he would like to first work in industry (his dream job is working at Intel), but would like to end his career as a professor. Stefan’s energy, passion and excitement are infectious. It is students like him that make OSU an amazing place and we congratulate Stefan for all his hard work!

Undergraduate of the Quarter - Spring 2013 — Undergraduate of the Quarter – Spring 2013

Shelby Paulson grew up in Coos Bay, OR – graduating from Marshfield High School where she was a three-sport athlete (cross-country/track, basketball and swimming). Her senior year, she was awarded an Air Force ROTC Scholarship, which covered much of her cost to go to college. Military service is a tradition in her family as both her parents were in the Army. She selected OSU for college because her mom got her Masters degree from here and because “she didn’t want to to that school in Eugene.” Her favorite courses were the Integrated lab sequence because it was “lots of fun and hands on.” She also really enjoyed Staci Simonich’s CH 692 Environmental Transformation of Organic Compounds course and Jennifer Field’s Toxicology course. She has worked in Staci’s lab for over a year now and has really valued the experience. She has also been active in the Student Alumni Association during her time at OSU. After graduation, she will start her six-year service as an Air Battle Management Officer in the Air Force. We are fortunate to have talented students like Shelby in our Department, and we are grateful for her service to our country!

Undergraduate of the Quarter - Winter 2013 — Undergraduate of the Quarter – Winter 2013

Jason was born in Corvallis, but moved to Philomath at age 5. His science high school teacher and OSU alumni (Molly O’Malley) got him excited about science – he took anatomy & physiology, chemistry and biology in high school from her. He came to OSU because of the positive experience his brother had at OSU and its close proximity to home, which reduced the cost of going to college. While he started as a chemistry major with a pre-med option (as he loved anatomy and physiology in high school), his interests have transitioned to materials science and solid state chemistry during his time at OSU. He first worked with Dave Cann in the Materials Science program on high temperature piezoelectrics. In 2011, he presented a poster at the International Symposium for Applications of Ferroelectrics on Vancouver Island, Canada. In 2012, he participated in the NSF REU internship spearheaded by Chemistry Professor Doug Keszler and subsequently has transitioned into Keszler’s lab to work on oxide growth of amorphous metal films. He has a hard time just picking one favorite course at OSU, but Experimental Chem 1 would be “up there” due to the course environment and the friends he made through the process. Glenn Evans and Mike Lerner would be his favorite instructors during his time at OSU. In addition to chemistry, Jason has been an active participant in the OSU Men’s Choir. He plans to go to graduate school at NC State after graduation to obtain a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering – likely focused on long range and short range ordering of materials. We are proud of talented students like Jason that continue to raise the profile of our Department, College and OSU!

Arsalan was born in Portland and went to Aloha High School. He came to OSU because of the high quality of education available here for a “fraction of the cost of other places.” During freshman orientation, he was initially registered as a biology major. When Dr. Chris Pastorek walked into the College of Science orientation and announced “All chem majors come with me,” he felt a spontaneous desire to follow her and has never looked back. His favorite instructor is Emile Firpo due to his incredible generosity. His interest in organic chemistry was sparked during the CH 334/335/336 series and he considers doing research with organic chemistry professor Paul Blakemore his best experience at OSU. His favorite course was CH 435 Spectroscopy with Chris Beaudry. After graduation, he intended to go to grad school to obtain a PhD in Chemistry and hopes to be a university professor one day. OSU and the Chemistry Department are so lucky to have talented students like Arsalan.

Undergraduate of the Quarter - Fall 2012 — Undergraduate of the Quarter – Fall 2012

Monica Best has been selected as an undergrad chem major of the quarter for Fall 2012. Monica grew up in Portland, OR and attended La Salle High School. Her junior and senior-year chemistry courses in high school solidified her interest in Chemistry. When she visited OSU, she was impressed with the Chemistry Department and specifically credits Chris Pastorek with telling her all the great things going on here. She is in her junior year right now – working in Adjunct Chemistry faculty member Jennifer Field’s laboratory. She is unsure if she plans to attend graduate school, but hopes to stay in Oregon (or the Northwest) after she graduates. She is a fan of the TV crime dramas such as NCIS (particularly the lab tech Abby Sciuto) which has inspired her interest in the forensic science-chemistry option (with a toxicology minor). She has enjoyed participating in the Chemistry Club within the Department – particularly the laid back feel and the expectation that the students do the work. Her favorite courses so far have been Experimental Chemistry with Emile Firpo and John Loeser where she tells us that the student gets to be the “brain of it” – deciding what they are going to do. She is taking Physical Chemistry this term and really has enjoyed Professor Glenn Evans’ passion and enthusiasm in the classroom. Outside of chemistry, she likes going to OSU football games, swimming and waterskiing in the summer time and crafting ”everything” from picture frames to scrapbooks. She also recently joined the OSU Flying Club to learn how to fly. It is talented and diverse students like Monica that help to make the OSU Chemistry program so strong!

Undergraduate of the Quarter - Fall 2013 — Undergraduate of the Quarter – Fall 2013

Josh Holmes has been selected as an undergrad chem major of the quarter for Fall 2012. Josh was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts , but grew up in Wilton, New Hampshire. Josh took a non-traditional path to OSU. While excelling in math throughout high school, he was unsure what career path to take. Consequently, he decided to work in the construction industry after graduating from high school in 2002. During that time, he became interested in snow skiing and began working as a ski lift operator. His interest in skiing ultimately brought him to the west coast (California) were he met his wife. In 2008, his wife enrolled in graduate school at OSU in geology. Josh took the opportunity to re-engage with his education and starting taking classes at LBCC in 2009. Within a year, he had matriculated to OSU where he has excelled ever sense. He enjoyed taking math classes at OSU, but it was his General Chemistry course with Dr. Phil Watson that really caught his attention – commenting that he was “blown away by it.” His interest in the fundamental aspects of chemistry drove him to work for emeritus Professor Ken Hedberg because he “wants to known deep down inside what is happening” in chemistry. Josh has enjoyed the personal attention and friendly attitude that OSU offers – providing easy access to faculty. Both of those attributes he associates with the Experimental Chemistry courses run by Emile Firpo, John Loeser and Chris Pastorek. He is unsure exactly what he wants to do after graduation, but he feels that he would like to teach in some capacity. Josh still likes to snow ski and is an accomplished musician – playing guitar in the band called the Psych Country Revue (rock and roll with a country twist). Our Department is lucky to have wonderful students like Josh who will surely inspire the next generation of chemists through their passion and enthusiasm about science!

Undergraduate of the Quarter - Spring 2012 — Undergraduate of the Quarter – Spring 2012

Sam Bartlett has been selected as an undergrad chem major of the quarter for Spring 2012. Sam was born in Sunnyside, WA but was raised in Lake Oswego, OR until 4th grade when he moved to Corvallis. He attended Crescent Valley High School. Sam picked OSU because of its strong reputation, the in-state tuition costs and wanting to stay close to home. He initially was a biology major, but the first term of Organic Chemistry from Dr. Daniel Myles showed him that his real interests were in Chemistry. Sam cites Prof. Carter (for CH 336) and his current advisor, Chris Beaudry (for his instruction in CH 471 and CH 535) as his two favorite professors. Sam has conducted extensive undergraduate research during his time at OSU. In fact, Sam and Professor Beaudry have published a paper on his research in the Journal of Organic Chemistry – a major accomplishment for an undergraduate student. Sam is very grateful for this experience – particularly commenting that Professor Beaudry’s insights were valuable and he is very grateful for his help in getting into grad school. Sam has really enjoyed the community in the Department – feeling that it is like a close knit family. Sam will be starting graduate school this summer in Organic Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with Professor Jeff Johnson. UNC-Chapel Hill is regarded as one of the top programs in his field and we congratulate Sam on all his accomplishments to date. It is students like Sam that make OSU Chemistry as strong as it is today!!

Matthew Stolt has been selected as an undergrad chem major of the quarter for Spring 2012. Matt was born and raised in Oregon – growing up in the Beaverton area. He attended Jesuit High School. He cites his big brother as a significant influence in his life including encouraging him to attend Jesuit High School as well as Oregon State University. While he came to OSU initially to be a Chemistry Engineering major, one of his friends, Evan, got him interested in becoming a Chemistry major. Matt has been conducting undergraduate research with Mas Subramanian since his sophomore year. He initially worked closely with senior graduate student Geneva Laurita-Plankis; however, he is now working on an independent project within Professor Subramanian’s lab. He specifically mentioned emeritus professor Glenn Evans as his favorite teacher. He described Dr. Evans has “unbelievably challenging,” but he did a wonderful job of making sure that the students really “know” the material. Matt plans to continue his education after graduation – likely getting a PhD in materials / inorganic chemistry. He would like to thank all the faculty and students he has worked with during his time here as well as his study group and friends for their support. We congratulate Matt on all his accomplishments to date and he is a wonderful part of the Chemistry program at OSU!

Undergraduate of the Quarter - Winter 2012 — Undergraduate of the Quarter – Winter 2012

Mai Doung is a senior undergraduate student in the Chemistry Department at Oregon State University and has been selected a Winter 2012 Chem Major of the Term. Mai grew up in Portland, OR and graduated from David Douglas High School. When applying for college, she selected OSU after having been awarded the first Sally Runes-Hicks Scholarship (http://osufoundation.org/campaignupdate/2010/apr/impact.htm). Her interest in chemistry was sparked by her high school chemistry teacher Renee Gibb. Since her time at OSU, her favorite chemistry courses have been in the area of organic chemistry because, as Mai is quick to point out, “it made the most sense to me.” She is currently conducting research in Claudia Maier’s laboratory where she works with mass spectrometry instruments. For fun, Mai enjoys hiking and hanging out with her friends. She is a chemistry major with an education option and hopes to become a high school chemistry teacher when she graduates. Students like Mai will help to inspire the next generation to focus on the sciences and we are honored to have her as a Chemistry major in our Department and a student at OSU!

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Category Archives: Undergraduate of the Quarter

Undergraduate of the Quarter – Winter 2014 – Corinne Brucks

Undergraduate of the Quarter – Winter 2014 – Stefan Lucchini

Undergraduate of the Quarter – Spring 2013 – Shelby Paulson

Undergraduate of the Quarter – Winter 2013 – Jason Nikkel

Undergraduate of the Quarter – Winter 2013 – Arsalan Zolfagari

Undergraduate of the Quarter – Fall 2012 – Monica Best

Undergraduate of the Quarter – Fall 2012 – Josh Holmes

Undergraduate of the Quarter – Spring 2012 – Sam Bartlett

Undergraduate of the Quarter – Spring 2012 – Matt Stolt

Undergraduate of the Quarter – Winter 2012 – Mai Doung

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