Thanks to our generous donors, 44 undergraduate students will have the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in our faculty labs as research fellows.
The 2024 Chemistry & Biochemistry Undergraduate Research Fellowships were presented to our students at our annual departmental awards ceremony on May 21, 2024. Congratulations to all the recipients listed below!
One of the unique benefits of attending UCLA as an undergraduate is the opportunity to participate in meaningful research guided by eminent faculty. This is also an essential step along the path to graduate school and beyond. However, research opportunities are often limited by the availability of funds to support the hourly cost of an undergraduate intern. These fellowships make it possible for budding scientists to gain invaluable research experience and pursue their dreams.
We are incredibly grateful to our donors whose generous gifts make these fellowships possible.
ARTHUR FURST AWARD FOR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
This annual award honors chemistry or biochemistry majors who have done outstanding laboratory research projects.
Giselle Brown
CHEMISTRY & BIOCHEMISTRY ALUMNI RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP
Sponsored by the Bruman and Boschan families, and other alumni donors.
Jiayi “Bonnie” Qian and Rebecca Lee (not pictured)
CHEMISTRY & BIOCHEMISTRY UNDERGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
Anne Nguyen and Keira Okada, Mike Rebelo and Sydney Robinson (not pictured).
DANIEL ATKINSON AND CHARLES WEST UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
This award honors Professors Daniel Atkinson and Charles West, the two UCLA chemistry faculty who were largely responsible for the development of biochemistry within the department. This award honors the significant contributions of both men to research, education, and the strength of the UCLA academic community.
Peter Fernandez, Celeste Medina-Seymoure, Kasey Parks, Jasmine Winter, and Anna Yan
DANIEL KIVELSON UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
The family of UCLA Chemistry & Biochemistry professor Dr. Daniel Kivelson (1929-2003) established these fellowships in his honor so that his legacy would live on and help educate young scientists.
Asta Li and Nilya Moushiabad
EVELYN PAN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
Established by Walter and Shirley Wang, these fellowships honor Shirley’s mother, Evelyn Pan.
Zhuoxi “Michelle” Chen, Haley Gauer, and Nathan Palmer (not pictured)
LORRAINE AND MASUO TOJI UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
These fellowships were established in 2019 thanks to a $1 million gift from the estate of Lorraine and Masuo Toji.
Aimee Han, Arnav Jhawar, Claire Nocon, Ethan Poladian, Isabel Rosales, and Lucy Liu.
PAUL BOYER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
These fellowships were established in 2018 by Prof. Richard Cross (Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York) to honor his former postdoctoral mentor Nobel Laureate Professor Paul D. Boyer.
Daria Rego
RAMSEY UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
This fellowship is named in honor of Professor Emeritus James Blaine Ramsey (1892-1965) and is awarded to outstanding undergraduate students in the UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.
Maximilian Floridia and Linus Murphy (not pictured)
DR. RAVI AND APARNA BIKKINA FAMILY UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP
These scholarships were established in 2017 by Ravi ’94 and Aparna Bikkina to support scholarships for chemistry and biochemistry students.
Hiran Jayasekara and Aila Shibao, Samik Ghosh (not pictured)
RAYMOND AND DOROTHY WILSON UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
These fellowships were established by alumnus Raymond A. Wilson (’43) and his wife Dorothy as a tribute to the UCLA chemistry professors who, more than seventy years ago, had such a profound impact on Raymond when he was a bright young chemistry student.
Tania Peymany and Anneke Talke
ROBERT E. BISKOWSKI UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
These fellowships were established in 2019 by the Estate of Geraldine Biskowski.
Ella Ghazinouri, Brandon Van, Sheida Shayegani, Jasmine Xu, and Malachi Warneke (not pictured)
SUSAN ELIZABETH BAUMGARTEN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
Susan Baumgarten (B.S.’ 73, M.S.’ 76, M.B.A. ’79) established this fellowship in 2019 to support chemistry and biochemistry undergraduate students.
Vanlinh Nguyen and Lauren Van Auken
TRUEBLOOD UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
This fellowship honors Professor Kenneth Trueblood who was a leading scientist and teacher at UCLA.
Megan Chen (not pictured)
VERNE SCHUMAKER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
Established by his family, friends, and UCLA colleagues, this fellowship honors Professor Verne Schumaker who was a member of the UCLA biochemistry faculty from 1965 until his passing in 2017.
Helen Elmer and Isabella Yang
WEILLER FAMILY UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
Bruce and Shari Weiller and their family endowed this scholarship to support outstanding undergraduate students majoring in chemistry.
Mariama Salami
WHITCOME SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS
This fellowship honors the late Dr. Philip Whitcome who received his Ph.D. in 1974 from UCLA and went on to a successful career in the biotechnology industry.
Meixuan “Coco” Li and Suzy Matinyan
The Department is extremely grateful to our generous donors and alumni whose support makes these many fellowship programs possible.
To contribute to our student departmental award funds or to establish a new named award or fellowship, please contact the Chair’s office, chair@chem.ucla.edu, (310) 825-3958. Your gift of any size will directly impact one of our world-class students and aspiring scientists!
Article by Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penny@chem.ucla.edu.
