2023 REU Cohort
David Andrade
David Andrade is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering at Harvard University. He will be studying abroad in Kimana, Kenya next semester focusing on wildlife ecology, forest ecology, and climate change conservation. He's worked on SpaceX's Starlink, Blue Origin, and on cube-satellites on his thesis and as part of a satellite team. He is from Miami, FL and loves feasting on pastelitos, watching documentaries, and finding useless trivia to tell his friends. He is also a gigantic basketball and sports nerd, loves hiking, photography, remote sensing satellites, and volunteering in his free time.
Project: Rates and drivers of aboveground carbon accumulation in active restoration of forests with native species, and comparisons to other reforestation methods
Mentors: Anika Staccone, Earthshot Labs
Funding: NSF Summer Program at Harvard in Earth and Environmental Research (SPHEER) | NSF AGS-2150290
Anna Banaszak
Anna Banaszak, originally from Poland, is pursuing a master's degree in data engineering and analytics at the Technical University of Munich in Germany. Her academic interests lie at the intersection of computer science and healthcare, with a focus on trustworthy AI and privacy-preserving technologies. In her free time, Anna enjoys outdoor activities like skiing, biking, and hiking with her dog.
Project: Bringing polars to the OpenDP library
Mentors: Salil Vadhan, Michael Shoemate
Funding: NSF Human Networds and Data Science (HNDS-1): Bringing differential privacy to social science data repositories | NSF BCS-2218803
Benjamin Bekey
Benjamin Bekey is a non-traditional student at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, California, majoring in chemistry and interested in materials science. He plans to pursue a career in scientific research.
Project: Surface acoustic waves on piezoeletric material and diamond heterostructure
Mentors: Marko Lončar, Amirhassan Shams Ansari, Zhujing Xu
Funding: NSF Engineering Research Center for Quantum Networks | NSF EEC-1941583
Leiv Ragnar Berg
My name is Leiv Ragnar, but I go by Leiv. I was born and raised in Norway with an American mother and a Norwegian father. I am a liberal arts math and sciences major at MiraCosta College, and I plan on transferring to a 4-year institution to pursue a bachelors in chemistry. Eventually I hope to earn a masters in chemical engineering or biochemistry and pursue a career in research. My hobbies are skiing and soccer, I love skiing and can’t wait to visit all the great places here in the US.
Project: Sensitivity of precipitation to theory of boundary layer cloud formation
Mentors: Kaighin McColl, Lois Tang
Funding: NSF Summer Program at Harvard in Earth and Environmental Research (SPHEER) | NSF AGS-2150290
Nicolas Berrios
Nicolas Berrios is studying engineering and computer science at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
Project: Timing attacks on differential privacy
Mentors: Salil Vadhan, Zachary Ratliff
Funding: NSF Human Networds and Data Science (HNDS-1): Bringing differential privacy to social science data repositories | NSF BCS-2218803
Aaron Bordeaux
Hello my name is Aaron Bordeaux, my indigenous tribe is Navajo and I currently reside in the Navajo Nation.
Project: Python programming for transducer-qubit interconnect
Mentors: Marko Lončar, Hana Warner, Kees Franken
Funding: NSF Engineering Research Center for Quantum Networks | NSF EEC-1941583
Julien Clairis-Gauthier
Julien is a first-year bioengineering student at the University of California, Los Angeles. The multitude of real-life impacts bioengineering has on society has captivated him deeply. Looking ahead, he plans to further his knowledge in engineering by pursuing graduate studies. In his free time, he finds joy in indulging his creative side through piano, dance, and listening to music.
Project: Photo-emergent locomotion in an artificial millipede
Mentors: Joanna Aizenberg, Jacopo Movilli, Milan Wilborn
Funding: NSF Materials Research Science & Engineering Center at Harvard (MRSEC) | NSF DMR-2011754
Lauren Cooke
Lauren is a Harvard computer science concentrator.
Project: Bayesian incentive compatible rent division
Mentors: Ariel Procaccia
Funding: NSF AF - Small: A Computational Lens on Participatory Democracy | NSF CCF-2007080
Marco Ebeling
Marco Ebeling just completed his second year at the University of Southern California, studying electrical and computer engineering.
Project: MEMS-driving twisted bilayer photonic crystal
Mentors: Eric Mazur, Haoning Tang
Funding: NSF National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) | NSF ECCS-2025158
Alsyl Enriquez
Alsyl is a current second year studying Electrical Engineering at Chabot College, a community college in the SF Bay Area. He also currently interns at the Stanford Nanofabrication Facility, and loves exploring nanotechnology and its fabrication. He hopes to transfer to a 4-year to get a Bachelors. In his free time he loves to hike, backpack, go the gym, and do photography.
Project: Fabrication of epsilon-near-zero metamaterial with anomalous refraction
Mentors: Federico Capasso, Maryna Meretska
Funding: NSF Materials Research Science & Engineering Center at Harvard (MRSEC) | NSF DMR-2011754
Drealle Estrada
My name is Drealle Estrada, I am a rising junior at Navajo Technical University, majoring in Biology. I am from Chinle, Arizona and part of the Navajo tribe. I plan to pursue a career in healthcare upon the completion of my undergraduate studies. I enjoy going outdoors, reading, and baking in my spare time.
Project: Diné tea extract-encapsulating microgels: microfluidics-based fabrication and their antibacterial effects
Mentors: David Weitz, Robinson Tom, Yan Liu, Rohan Thakur, Chunuan Liu
Funding: NSF Partnership for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) Vision for Excellence at Navajo Technical University for Research and Education in STEM (VENTURES) | NSF DMR-2122195
NSF Materials Research Science & Engineering Center at Harvard (MRSEC) | NSF DMR-2011754
Mikayla Flanz
Mikayla Flanz is a rising junior studying Human Physiology on the pre-med track at Boston University, and intends to pursue a MD/PhD degree after graduation. Outside of research, she enjoys hiking, baking, and travel.
Project: Antioxidant-immobilized backpack carrying macrophages for the treatment of traumatic brain injury
Mentors: Samir Mitragotri, Rick Liao
Funding: Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering
Lucy Gagnon
Lucy Gagnon is a rising senior at Williams College, where she majors in chemistry and math. She competes for Williams Women's Cross Country and Track & Field, and she enjoys reading and cooking in her free time.
Project: Spatial and temporal differences in NO2 column densities and implications for geostationary satellite product applications across Asia
Mentors: Daniel Jacob, Loretta Mickley, Laura Yang, Yujin Oak
Funding: NSF Summer Program at Harvard in Earth and Environmental Research (SPHEER) | NSF AGS-2150290
Oscar Gastelum
Dedicated full-time student with a strong academic background in programming and cyber security. Currently finishing an Associate of Science degree while already holding an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Programmer/Cyber Security Analyst at Pima Community College. Passionate about computer science, programming, and cyber operations. Driven to expand knowledge and succeed in these fields. Committed, focused, and determined to achieve goals despite the challenges of being a first-generation college student. Future plans include transferring to the University of Arizona to study cyber operations with an emphasis on engineering (BAS) in fall 2023.
Project: An automated fiber-to-fiber coupling interface for integrated photonic device testing
Mentors: Marko Lončar, CJ Xin
Funding: Quantum Qué - NSF Collaborative Research: HSI Implementation and Evaluation Project: Transfer Students’ Success in Quantum Information Science and Engineering | NSF DUE-2150530 | NSF DUE-2150532
Riiny Giir
Giir is a rising junior at Franklin & Marshall College pursuing a degree in Computer Science with a minor in Studio Art. Originally from South Sudan, Giir is passionate about learning and exploring new concepts in the world of Computer Science, ranging from data analysis to Artificial Intelligence.
When Giir isn't hitting the books, you can find him on the basketball court as a member of the Men's Basketball team. Additionally, Giir has achieved numerous academic honors, including being on the president's honor roll and the dean's list.
While Giir is still considering graduate school after college, he knows that family is the most important thing in his life. He enjoys catching up with his loved ones back home occasionally and cherishes the time he gets to spend with them. With his dedication to both his academic and athletic pursuits, Giir is poised to make a lasting impact both in and outside the classroom.
Project: Möbius strip and the anatomy of the heart: art & science
Mentors: Kit Parker, Suji Choi, Michael Rosnach
Funding: NSF National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) | NSF ECCS-2025158
Avery Haynes
Avery Haynes is a rising sophomore at Vanderbilt University. She is majoring in chemical engineering with hopes of going to law school to pursue intellectual property law. Avery enjoys skiing, reading, and trying new food in her free time.
Project: Trace element geochemistry in Archean zircon
Mentors: Nadja Drabon, Heather Kirkpatrick, Miranda Meyer
Funding: NSF Summer Program at Harvard in Earth and Environmental Research (SPHEER) | NSF AGS-2150290
Wren Hoertdoerfer
Wren Hoertdoerfer is a Chemical and Biological Engineering senior at the University of Colorado Boulder. After graduation, she plans to pursue a biomimicry-based Ph.D. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, skiing, rock climbing, and art.
Project: Flexible liquid encapsulation platform for preventing hydrogel dehydration
Mentors: Joanna Aizenberg, Joost Vlassak, Haichao Wu, Hang Yang
Funding: NSF National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) | NSF ECCS-2025158
Circe Hsu
Circe is an undergraduate mathematics major at Northeastern University with cross-disciplinary interests in Computer Science and Physics. She is working to apply neural networks to solve the differential equations which govern the behaviors of solids, which grants insight into the properties of materials.
Project: Solving partial differential equations: a neural network approach
Mentors: Efthimios Kaxiras, Daniel Larson, Gabriel Schleder, Marios Mattheaki
Funding: NSF Science & Technology Center - Center for Integrated Quantum Materials (CIQM) | NSF DMR-1231319
Mikayla Jackson
Mikayla is a rising senior at the University of Virginia, studying Biomedical Engineering. She plans to pursue her interests in biomaterials after graduating this year, and hopes to go on to get a PhD. Outside of academics she enjoys music, art, and reading.
Project: Development of injectable and degradable tough adhesive hydrogels for tissue healing
Mentors: Ben Freedman, Grace Atteh, Nicco Hesse
Funding: NSF National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) | NSF ECCS-2025158
Aidan Jones
Aidan Jones studies physics at the University of Chicago. Graduating next year, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Physics. His choice of activity varies where he is, hiking while back home in Arizona, going to concerts in Chicago, or digging into a nice game or book while in between places.
Project: Martian meteorite, megabars, & magnetism
Mentors: Roger Fu, Sarah Steele
Funding: NSF Summer Program at Harvard in Earth and Environmental Research (SPHEER) | NSF AGS-2150290
Ayelet Kalfus
Originally from NYC, Ayelet is a physics major with a love for interdisciplinary study. Within the Yale STEM community, Ayelet has served as the co-president of Women in Physics and the Yale Undergraduate Quantum Computing Group. Ayelet is currently a member of the Windham Campbell Literary Prize Student Committee and a tutor at New Haven Reads. Looking towards the coming academic year, Ayelet is excited to be a Froco, a mentor for the incoming Class of 2027. Alongside family and friends, Ayelet enjoys exploring new cities, museums, and films.
Project: The forward problem of elastic sheet growth
Mentors: L. Mahadevan, Lucy Liu
Funding: NSF Materials Research Science & Engineering Center at Harvard (MRSEC) | NSF DMR-2011754
Amy Kaniper
I am a rising sophomore at Harvard University studying a joint concentration in physics and philosophy. In the future, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in physics to continue doing research for as long as I can. In my free time I love reading, journaling, and biking to cafes every morning.
Project: Etching atomically sharp tips for scanning tunneling microscopy
Mentors: Jenny Hoffman, Kevin Hauser
Funding: NSF Science & Technology Center - Center for Integrated Quantum Materials (CIQM) | NSF DMR-1231319
Destiny Kanu
I am currently a sophomore at Bunker Hill Community College, studying mechanical engineering. After graduation, I plan to obtain my Bachelor’s degree at a four year institute and hopefully, earn my masters in engineering afterwards. In my spare time, I enjoy watching horror movies, listening to music, baking, watching YouTube videos and sleeping.
Project: Development of in situ heating TEM studies
Mentors: David Bell, Jules Gardener, Austin Akey
Funding: NSF National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) | NSF ECCS-2025158
Hunter Kemeny
Hunter Kemeny is a senior at Duke University majoring in physics. After graduation, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. focusing on quantum computation and simulation, with the ultimate goal of teaching at the university level. In his free time, Hunter likes to read philosophy and history, explore the outdoors, and play guitar.
Project: Optimal sparse quantum sensor placement
Mentors: Dirk Englund, Hyeongrak Choi
Funding: NSF Engineering Research Center for Quantum Networks | NSF EEC-1941583
Iman Khanani
I am a rising senior at Mount Holyoke College, studying Physics and Computer Science. Some of my hobbies include learning languages, West African Drumming, working out, traveling, playing chess, and eating great food.
Project: Electrical characterization of thin film barium titanate
Mentors: Robert Westervelt, Ashley Cavanagh
Funding: NSF Science & Technology Center - Center for Integrated Quantum Materials (CIQM) | NSF DMR-1231319
Deepika Kumawat
Deepika Kumawat is a rising senior at Mount Holyoke College. She is majoring in Physics and doing a Nexus in Education Policy and Practice. She is from India and is excited to meet people!
Project: Optical characterization of AgCrP2S6
Mentors: Riccardo Comin, Joshua (Shua) J Sanchez
Funding: NSF Science & Technology Center - Center for Integrated Quantum Materials (CIQM) | NSF DMR-1231319
Katherine Lei
Katherine Lei is a rising senior studying materials science, biology, and literature at MIT, where she is a member of quizbowl and the club volleyball team. She enjoys puns, poetry, and visiting art museums.
Project: Material properties for electroporative printing
Mentors: Jennifer Lewis, Aric Lu
Funding: Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering
LinkedIn Profile
Eduardo Lezama
Eduardo Lezama is a rising senior at Binghamton University majoring in environmental science with a focus on Earth systems and minoring in chemistry. He seeks to pursue a Ph.D. after graduation. Outside academics, Eduardo enjoys playing percussion instruments, traveling, watching sitcoms, swimming, and spending time with family and close friends.
Project: Characterization of ground motion decay from storms in the Atlantic Ocean
Mentors: Miaki Ishii, Thomas Lee
Funding: NSF Summer Program at Harvard in Earth and Environmental Research (SPHEER) | NSF AGS-2150290
Ethan Mann
Ethan is a freshman at Navajo Technical University studying for a Bachelors in Additive Manufacturing Engineering Technology. Originating from Navajo, enjoys the outdoors, swimming, basketball and food. Hopes to change the world in small ways one at a time.
Project: STEM kits and educational immersion for students
Mentors: Conor Walsh, Nicholas Bira
Funding: NSF Partnership for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) Vision for Excellence at Navajo Technical University for Research and Education in STEM (VENTURES) | NSF DMR-2122195
NSF Materials Research Science & Engineering Center at Harvard (MRSEC) | NSF DMR-2011754
Cristian Medina Cea
Cristian is a Senior at Umass Lowell who transferred from Bunker Hill Community College. He is a Chemical Engineering major and hopes to pursue his PhD in Chemical Engineering after graduating. Cristian enjoys going to the gym, playing video games and staying active.
Project: Manufacturing a van der Waals heterostructure to test superconductive contacts in graphene
Mentors: Philip Kim, Jonathan Zauberman
Funding: NSF Science & Technology Center - Center for Integrated Quantum Materials (CIQM) | NSF DMR-1231319
Alena Morrissette
My name is Alena Morrissette and I'm an upcoming sophomore at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Currently I am studying Biomedical Engineering and pursuing a concentration in Neural Engineering. I am also apart of the DuSable Scholars program for Black and Native American students in STEM at UIC. My goal is to further my understanding of Bioengineering.
Project: Biomimetic swimming actuators via dynamic Gaussian shape morphs
Mentors: Joanna Aizenberg, Milan Wilborn
Funding: NSF Materials Research Science & Engineering Center at Harvard (MRSEC) | NSF DMR-2011754
Corinne Mulvey
Corinne Mulvey is a rising junior at Harvard College studying comparative literature and physics.
Project: Nanonis controller wiring for scanning 4-probe microscope
Mentors: Jenny Hoffman, Wan Ting Liao
Funding: NSF Science & Technology Center - Center for Integrated Quantum Materials (CIQM) | NSF DMR-1231319
LinkedIn Profile
Benjamin Muñoz Cerro
I’m from Chiguayante, Chile. I’m a rising junior at Stanford University majoring in Physics. When I’m not in the lab, you can find me playing tennis, photographing wild life, playing the ukulele, or reading Borges’ short stories!
Project: Growth and characterization of yttrium hexaboride (YB6) thin films
Mentors: Jenny Hoffman, Anjolaoluwa Bamtefa, Jason Hoffman
Funding: NSF Science & Technology Center - Center for Integrated Quantum Materials (CIQM) | NSF DMR-1231319
LinkedIn Profile
Cristiana Murgoci
I am a rising sophomore at Harvard University, studying Physics. I love traveling and skiing, and in my free time you can find me going to the gym, playing the piano, or reading personal development books.
Project: Quantum Machine Learning Algorithms for Neutrino Detection
Mentors: Carlos Argüelles-Delgado, Pavel Zhelnin
Funding: Harvard College Research Program
Ololade Oriowo
Ololade Oriowo is from Lagos, Nigeria. She attends Howard University where she majors in Chemical Engineering. She plans to pursue a PhD in Electrochemistry. In her free time, she enjoys sleeping, eating ice cream and coloring.
Project: Wafer scale dispersion of boron nitride nanotubes
Mentors: Eric Seabron, Bill Wilson
Funding: NSF National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) | NSF ECCS-2025158
Seth Perritt
Seth is an Army veteran studying Computer Science at the University of Arizona. When he was in the military, he was a Veterinary Food Inspection Specialist. He decided to study Computer Science because he learned in my last year of the military that he is very interested in programming and learning new technologies. Some of his hobbies are Muay Thai, traveling to new places, playing video games, and overall trying to live an active lifestyle. Lastly, upon graduation, he hopes to start a career in software engineering.
Project: Numerical solutions to classical and quantum equations of motion
Mentor: Nishant Sule
Funding: Quantum Qué - NSF Collaborative Research: HSI Implementation and Evaluation Project: Transfer Students’ Success in Quantum Information Science and Engineering | NSF DUE-2150530 | NSF DUE-2150532
Travis Reyna
Travis Reyna is a rising junior at the University of Arizona College of Engineering where he is studying electrical and computer engineering. His goal is to work as an entrepreneur within the technology industry. Outside of school, he enjoys working out, spending time with family, and learning different areas of study such as finance, economics and more.
Project: Fabrication of conductive, self-supporting 3D lattice electrodes using lithography and etching techniques
Mentors: Jiangdong Deng, Bok Yeop Ahn
Funding: Quantum Qué - NSF Collaborative Research: HSI Implementation and Evaluation Project: Transfer Students’ Success in Quantum Information Science and Engineering | NSF DUE-2150530 | NSF DUE-2150532
Emanuel Salinas
Emanuel is a junior transfer student and will be attending Northern Arizona University for his bachelor's in mechanical engineering. Once he graduates he would like to work in the field at either NASA or Intel. In his free time, he enjoys learning about history and being active in the outdoors by hiking and running.
Project: Twisted van der Waals homojunctions
Mentors: Philip Kim, Sajedeh Pourianejad
Funding: NSF Engineering Research Center for Quantum Networks | NSF EEC-1941583
Dawn San Luis
Dawn San Luis is a Materials Science Engineering student at the University of Central Florida. She was born and raised in the Philippines. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, work out, go to the beach, cook, scuba diving, fishing, and traveling.
Project: Understanding soft matter for manipulating light and heat
Mentors: Joanna Aizenberg, Raphael Kay, Jacopo Movilli
Funding: NSF Materials Research Science & Engineering Center at Harvard (MRSEC) | NSF DMR-2011754
Mohammed Sbai
Mohammed is a Moroccan born American, senior at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, where he is majoring in Mechanical Engineering with Robotics and Mathematics minors. He is very interested and passionate about Unmanned aerial systems, soft robotics, and bio-inspired robotics. Going on road trips is his favorite thing to do.
Project: Elastomer bistable jumper for soft robotics
Mentors: Katia Bertoldi, Yi Yang
Funding: NSF National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) | NSF ECCS-2025158
Greta Schultz
I am from San Diego California and am currently a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison pursuing my degree in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. My expected graduation date is spring 2025. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, hanging out with friends, and doing anything creative.
Project: Emergency mobile monitoring for California wildfire smoke
Mentors: Daniel Jacob, Loretta Mickley, Makoto Kelp, Drew Pendergrass
Funding: NSF Summer Program at Harvard in Earth and Environmental Research (SPHEER) | NSF AGS-2150290
Christopher Shin
Chris Shin is a junior at Brown University studying biomedical engineering. He plans to pursue an MD-PhD after graduation. Outside of academics, he is a passionate EMT, teacher, and trumpet player.
Project: Abnormal calcium release events as markers of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia at single-cell resolution
Mentors: Kevin Kit Parker, Kevin Shani, Yongjun Jang
Funding: Harvard University
Langelihle Siziba
Greetings! I'm currently an Electrical Engineering student at Harvard University, fervently interested in the intersection of technology, design, and social impact. Having a minor in Physics and experience with coding, including Python, C++, and JavaScript, alongside circuit design tools like Cadence Virtuoso and LTSpice, I enjoy finding the intersection between these skills.
As a Math Course Assistant at Harvard, I have had the opportunity to assist my peers in understanding intricate calculus concepts, further nurturing my problem-solving and communication skills. I've also been fortunate to apply my tech prowess in intriguing projects such as the 'Happy Smart Mask,' a blend of health technology and AR/VR simulations.
My technical endeavors don't overcome my commitment to social issues. I have enjoyed researching decolonization and Indigenous Land Partnerships at Harvard Forest and continue to explore my dedication to understanding and contributing to the societal implications of land and identity.
Beyond my academic pursuits, I'm a passionate Acapella singer, an enthusiast of African History, and a multilingual speaker conversant in Shona, Ndebele, and Zulu. I am intensely interested in housing and public service, embodying my belief in the importance of accessible and inclusive communities. I spend my free time volunteering at the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter.
Project: Beyond the commercial: affordable dichroism spectroscopy at your fingertips
Mentors: Sascha Feldmann, Antti Reponen
Funding: The Rowland Institute at Harvard
Gavin Smith
Gavin is a junior physics major at the University of New Hampshire, where he is also the president of the cycling team. He loves hiking and the outdoors, but also sitting inside with a good book on a rainy day. His research interests lie in the field of condensed matter physics, particularly material properties of 2D and quantum materials.
Project: Probing the impact of nanofabrication on transport properties of thin-film lithium niobate device interfaces
Mentors: Evelyn Hu, Marko Lončar, Matthew Yeh, David Barton
Funding: NSF National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) | NSF ECCS-2025158
Olivia Snapper
Olivia Snapper is a rising senior at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Biomedical Engineering. After graduation, she plans on obtaining an MD-Ph.D. to integrate her love of research and medicine. Olivia enjoys playing volleyball, traveling, and cooking in her free time.
Project: Design of superelastic anti-biofouling drug eluting stent
Mentors: Joanna Aizenberg, Haritosh Patel
Funding: NSF National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) | NSF ECCS-2025158
Alejandro Soledad
I am from Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. I am an undergraduate senior double majoring in Physics and Computer Science at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus. Outside of academics, I like spending time with my family and friends, traveling and sightseeing around the island, and watching a good comedy every now and then.
Project: Characterization and growth of GeO2 thin films via solid phase epitaxy
Mentors: Julia Mundy, Charles Brooks
Funding: NSF National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) | NSF ECCS-2025158
Felix Song
I am a rising junior at Tufts University studying physics with a minor in computer science and math. I am particularly interested in biophysics and machine learning for developing new technologies to further medical and biophysics fields. I am excited to work on projects to understand the mechanisms behind intercellular drug delivery. After graduation, I plan to pursue a PhD in Applied Physics. In my free time, I enjoy playing volleyball and basketball, playing music with friends, volunteering, and traveling.
Project: Differential growth in colloidal systems
Mentors: Frans Spaepen, David Weitz, Will Wang
Funding: Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering
Levi Taylor
I am a rising junior at the University of Arizona studying mathematics and computer science. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in either artificial intelligence or algorithms. Outside of school, I enjoy reading and taking long walks.
Project: Thin metal-film deposition and characterization using different PVD technologies
Mentors: Jiangdong Deng, Ed Macomber
Funding: Quantum Qué - NSF Collaborative Research: HSI Implementation and Evaluation Project: Transfer Students’ Success in Quantum Information Science and Engineering | NSF DUE-2150530 | NSF DUE-2150532
Bianca Todacheenie
I am from Many Farms, AZ and I am a Navajo Technical University student located at the Chinle, AZ site. I am a double major for an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing and a Bachelor in Biology. I aim to earn my MD/Ph.D. and become a Clinical Laboratory Scientist and experience and gain knowledge about being an RN in the Emergency Room. In my free time, I love spending quality time with my family and I enjoy hiking and exploring national parks.
Project: Diné tea extract-encapsulating microgels: microfluidics-based fabrication and their antibacterial effects
Mentors: David Weitz, Robinson Tom, Yan Liu, Rohan Thakur, Chuanhuan Liu
Funding: NSF Partnership for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) Vision for Excellence at Navajo Technical University for Research and Education in STEM (VENTURES) | NSF DMR-2122195
NSF Materials Research Science & Engineering Center at Harvard (MRSEC) | NSF DMR-2011754
Christopher Warren
Christopher’s dream of improving lives through medical innovation was sparked during childhood after his father, Rob, suffered a crippling heart attack. Luckily, angioplasty and a series of stents saved his father and reunited their family. For years Christopher’s dreams of medical innovation lay dormant, but, gradually, inspired by his experiences scouting, leading Marines, and serving his community in Orange County, NY, Christopher’s visions of improving medicine strengthened. Now, with a fully-fledged focus on improving lives worldwide with novel biotechnologies, Christopher looks forward to drawing strength from this non-traditional background.
During his service as a Marine KC-130T Flight Engineer, from the Arctic to the Equator, Christopher enjoyed talking with folks across the globe. From these conversations, a clear commonality appeared; everyone sought the best for their community. Naturally, he garnered a cliché yet motivating realization; we are all in this together. We all seek the health and happiness of our people.
In honor of the folks who have shaped Christopher’s understanding of the world—those who have crossed his path, thus altering its trajectory forever—he vows to eternalize their influence. With their guidance (and a touch of luck), his research will improve the human experience worldwide.
Project: Cyborg cardiac tissues with embedded electronics for intratissue recording of extracellular action potentials
Mentors: Kevin Kit Parker, Michael Peters, Justin Benton
Funding: NSF Materials Research Science & Engineering Center at Harvard (MRSEC) | NSF DMR-2011754
Katelyn Wilson
Katelyn Wilson is from Crownpoint, New Mexico. She is a recent graduate in the Biology program at Navajo Technical University located in Crownpoint, New Mexico. She wants to apply what she learned back to the Navajo Nation. She enjoys playing mobile games and on her free time she enjoys playing volleyball and tending to her families livestock.
Project: Bending dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs)
Mentors: David Clarke, Nikhil Deliwala
Funding: NSF Partnership for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) Vision for Excellence at Navajo Technical University for Research and Education in STEM (VENTURES) | NSF DMR-2122195
NSF Materials Research Science & Engineering Center at Harvard (MRSEC) | NSF DMR-2011754
Ling Xu
Ling Xu is a rising senior at the University of Pennsylvania studying mechanical engineering and mathematics. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. after graduation. In her free time, she enjoys playing badminton, trying new foods, and painting.
Project: Design space exploration and simulation for educational origami grippers
Mentors: Conor Walsh, Nicholas Bira
Funding: NSF Materials Research Science & Engineering Center at Harvard (MRSEC) | NSF DMR-2011754
Katherine Yang
Katherine Yang is a rising senior from Ambler, PA. She is pursuing a BA in chemistry from Williams College, and she hopes to continue doing research in environmental chemistry post-grad. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, exploring new places, and playing ultimate frisbee.
Project: Temporal trends in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Massachusetts drinking water
Mentors: Elsie Sunderland, Jahred Liddie, Faiz Haque
Funding: NSF Summer Program at Harvard in Earth and Environmental Research (SPHEER) | NSF AGS-2150290
Katherine Yang
Katherine Yang is a rising sophomore at Northwestern University, where she is planning on double majoring in computer ccience and music, with a minor in chemistry. She hopes to utilize computational techniques to advance research on sustainability and renewable energy. In her free time, she loves reading new books, writing music, playing badminton, and spending time with her friends and family.
Project: Using deep neural networks to learn subgrid-scale turbulence stresses for large eddy simulations of the atmospheric boundary layer
Mentors: Kaighin McColl, Yu Cheng
Funding: NSF Summer Program at Harvard in Earth and Environmental Research (SPHEER) | NSF AGS-2150290
Oliver Yellowhair
My name is Oliver Yellowhair. I am currently a student at Navajo Technical University. I am pursuing a Nursing degree with a minor in civil engineering. I am an enrolled Navajo with aspirations to fulfill my goals and give back to the community as a registered nurse. My mentor is my professor, Franklin Maloba. I am aiming for higher education to help younger generations to pursue their dreams and education as well.
Project: Diné tea extract-encapsulating microgels: microfluidics-based fabrication and their antibacterial effects
Mentors: David Weitz, Robinson Tom, Yan Liu, Rohan Thakur, Chuanhuan Liu
Funding: NSF Partnership for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) Vision for Excellence at Navajo Technical University for Research and Education in STEM (VENTURES) | NSF DMR-2122195
NSF Materials Research Science & Engineering Center at Harvard (MRSEC) | NSF DMR-2011754