Ipshita Roy (she/her)

The Ohio State University

Advisor: David Nagib

"Chiral Pyrrolidines via an Enantioselective Hofmann-Löffler-Freytag Reaction"

Born in Kolkata, India, Ipshita earned her Bachelor’s degree in Science in 2018, majoring in Chemistry and minoring in Physics and Mathematics. She then pursued a Master’s degree in Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, where she investigated the diversityoriented synthesis of small-molecule libraries under the guidance of Professor Samik Nanda. In 2021, she moved to the US to pursue a PhD in Organic Chemistry at The Ohio State University. There, she works with Professor David Nagib on developing hydrogen atom transfer-based radical relay strategies for synthesizing medicinally relevant motifs. Her research focuses on discovering methods for asymmetric C-H amination and achieving novel iterative C-H functionalization. In addition to her research, Ipshita advocates for the advancement of women in Science as the Vice President of Females of Chemistry Uniting Scientists (FOCUS), a student-led organization at OSU. In her free time, she enjoys reading and painting. 

Abiodun Samuel Oyedele (he/him)

Vanderbilt University

Advisor: Allison Walker

"Harnessing Machine Learning for Genome Mining: discovery of microbial bioactive secondary metabolites"

Samuel (Sam) is a PhD candidate in Chemistry at Vanderbilt University, working under Dr. Allison Walker. His research focuses on discovering bioactive natural products, particularly antibiotics, using machine learning methods for genome mining. Sam has identified promising biosynthetic gene cluster candidates for the synthesis of nocardicin analogs and has serendipitously discovered other compounds with antibiotic activity.  Sam holds a master's degree in chemistry from Tennessee State University and a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria. His research experience spans TSU, Vanderbilt University, Caltech, and Merck & Co., Inc. Samuel has co-authored a review in Natural Product Reports and contributed to two other manuscripts in Walker Lab. He has presented his research at prestigious conferences such as the American Chemical Society Annual Meeting, NOBCChE, and the Gordon Research Conference on Marine Natural Products. Samuel has received a few awards, like the 2025 SIMB-Diversity Travel Award, for his academic achievements in the field of chemistry and natural product discovery. 

Jess Fletcher (she/her)

The Ohio State University

Advisor: Christine Thomas

"Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity of Bioinspired H2ase Model Complexes Using a Tetradentate Bis(amide)bis(phosphine) Ligand"

Jess Fletcher is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at The Ohio State University. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Hampton University and now conducts research in the Thomas Lab, where she focuses on the development and characterization of novel catalyst for small molecule activation. As the OSU X-Ray Crystallography Lab Teaching Assistant, she maintains and operates one of the few variable-temperature Mössbauer spectrometers in the United States. Beyond research, Jess is passionate about promoting diversity in STEM, working to break down barriers and ensure equitable access to scientific opportunities. When she is not in the lab, she enjoys spending time at the park with her dog, Oscar.   

Emmanuel Bonsu (he/him)

University of Iowa

Advisor: Dave Martin

"Synthesis of Neuroprotective Limonoids and Analogs"

My name is Emmanuel Bonsu, and I was born and raised in Ghana, West Africa. I earned my B.S. and M.S. degrees in chemistry from the University of Ghana in Accra, Ghana. After my master's, I am pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Iowa. Currently, I am working with Professor Dave Martin, where I synthesize neuroprotective limonoid natural products and their analogs. In collaboration with Prof. Jonathan Doorn from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics at the University of Iowa, we test these synthesized compounds on PC-12 cell lines to evaluate their efficacy against glutamate excitotoxicity. After my PhD. program, I plan to work in the pharmaceutical industry, collaborating with other scientists to develop drugs that can effectively penetrate the blood-brain barrier to address various diseases. 

Josephine Bernard (she/her)

Emory University

Advisor: Mingji Dai

"Total Synthesis of Conidiogenone B"

My name is Josephine Bernard, and I am a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in Professor Mingji Dai's lab at Emory University. Growing up in Samoa with asthma was difficult, particularly because the cost of modern medicine was often out of reach. As a result, I relied on traditional Samoan healing practices to manage my condition and overcome this challenge. I became fascinated by the science behind natural remedies, which fueled my desire to immerse myself in STEM as I grew older. My research focuses on the total synthesis of Conidiogenone B, a potential treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections found in nature. Outside of my research, I am an Emory Diversifying Graduate Education Fellow, where I am dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM. As the eldest of five siblings, with my youngest sister soon entering a STEM graduate program, I am deeply motivated to pave the way for her and future generations to see limitless possibilities in science, particularly as an Indigenous scholar and woman in STEM. I am committed to breaking barriers and challenging traditional expectations, demonstrating that diverse voices, backgrounds, and perspectives are essential in shaping the future of science. Looking ahead, I aspire to contribute to the pharmaceutical industry by developing innovative therapeutics inspired by nature and advancing global drug discovery efforts. 

Ekta Verma (she/her)

Indiana University Bloomington

Advisor: Sara Skrabalak

"Bridging Colloidal and Electrochemical Syntheses of Metal Nanocrystals with Seeded Electrodeposition"

Ekta Verma is a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in materials chemistry at Indiana University, working with Prof. Sara Skrabalak. She earned her M.S. in chemistry in India, where she developed a strong interest in the field. Ekta's research focuses on the electrochemical synthesis and modification of shape-defined nanocrystals for high-throughput screening. During her time at Indiana University, Ekta has held leadership roles as Secretary and Vice President of the Materials Research Society. She is dedicated to making science accessible to all and has actively participated in various outreach events. In recognition of her leadership contributions, Ekta was awarded the Young Chemist Leadership Development Award in 2025 and attended the prestigious ACS Leadership Institute.