UConnChem 2021 Undergraduate Commencement Program

2021 COMMENCEMENT UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

WELCOME

Dear Graduating Class of 2021: I wish I could personally extend a warm welcome to all the graduating Chemistry students and their family and friends! But these are not normal times, and so I have to extend an equally warm – albeit digital – welcome!

On behalf of the entire Department of Chemistry, congratulations to all of our great students!

There are few days in a Department Head’s year that are as enjoyable and memorable as Commencement Weekend. It is always a pleasure to mark and celebrate this important milestone in a student’s education that we all worked so hard to achieve. I regret that you are all being deprived of the formal reception we usually hold in the Department. However, this does not make the degree you are receiving any less celebrated or enjoyable! You earned your Chemistry degree over several years of dedicated work. It is certainly not going to be defined by the pandemic in the final year of your academic career!

You are about to become a certified professional with all duties and responsibilities that come with this. Your degree will open doors to greater specialization, will be the entryway to graduate or professional schools, or lead you wherever else you desire. You can always rely on this firm foundation for your future aspirations.

We are honored that you chose UConn for your undergraduate education and are proud to have been a part in shaping this momentous chapter of your life. Savor the degree, and channel the strength and joy of the moment of conferral into your further endeavors!

Thanks to your families and friends as well! While only you sat in class and wrote the lab reports, an extended support network was sitting behind you.

It takes a village, indeed!

Our best wishes from all of us at the Department of Chemistry! May you and your families emerge healthy and more resilient from the current crisis, ready for an exciting career path ahead of you!

Congratulations again,

Christian Brückner Department Head, UConn Chemistry

C O N G R AT S TO OUR GRADUATING SENIORS

WISHING OUR GRADUATING STUDENTS THE VERY BEST IN THEIR FUTURE PROFESSIONAL & PERSONAL ENDEAVORS. — UCONN CHEMISTRY FACULTY & STAFF

KAREN AVILA

QINZHE LI

GRACE BALDAUF

GUILHERME LIMA

ROBERT BERTEKAP III

VICTORIA LIVINGSTON

RYAN BJORKLUND

DIANA LOOK

ETHAN BROWN

JUSTIN MESCIA

MENG CHEN

ROSE NGUYEN

RYAN CLEAVES

MATTHEW PICKETT

JOSEPH COMIA

THOMAS PRAISNER

ALYSHA DEGENNARO

AHMAD RAHIAB

JORDAN FARLEY

MORGAN RHINEHART

GRACE GREENE

JOELA SHURDHO

JACOB HERSKOWITZ

MATAS SIMUKAITIS

ALEXANDRA HESSBERGER

MINSANG SONG

OLIVIA HYUN

COLE STEARNS

SARAH KARASIK

DAVID TSE

MARISSA KAUFMANN

GABRIELLA TUXBURY

EMMA KELLY

QINGYUE YANG

SKYLAR KNESKI

SPENCER YANG

MEGAN KRUZYK

ALLISON ZUPAN

SCHOLARS & AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY (ACS) AWARD PRESENTED TO THE TOP GRADUATING SENIOR

EMMA KELLY ACS DIVISION OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY AWARD PRESENTED TO A STUDENT WHO DISPLAYS AN APTITUDE FOR A CAREER IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY

SLAWOMIR PIELA ACS DIVISION OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY AWARD RECOGNIZING ACHIEVEMENTS BY AN UNDERGRADUATE IN INORGANIC CHEMISTRY PURSUING A CAREER IN CHEMISTRY

GUILHERME LIMA ACS DIVISION OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY AWARD RECOGNIZING ACHIEVEMENTS BY AN UNDERGRADUATE IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY PURSUING A CAREER IN CHEMISTRY

COLE STEARNS

& AWA R D E E S ACS DIVISION OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY AWARD PRESENTED TO A STUDENT WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED EXCELLENCE IN PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS BASED ON RESEARCH, COURSEWORK, AND IS COMMITTED TO A CAREER IN CHEMISTRY

EMMA KELLY AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTS AWARD PRESENTED TO AN OUTSTANDING SENIOR

MATTHEW PICKETT ROLAND WARD THESIS AWARD THIS AWARD IS GIVEN TO THE BEST THESIS. IT WAS ESTABLISHED THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF THE ROLAND WARD FAMILY TO ENCOURAGE GREATER UNDERGRADUATE PARTICIPATION IN RESEARCH AND TO FOSTER BETTER WRITING SKILLS AS PART OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS.

RECIPIENT TO BE ANNOUNCED

RESEARCH

THE RESEARCH OUTLINED BELOW EXHIBITS A SELECTION OF THE MANY IMPRESSIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS CONDUCTED BY OUR GRADUATING STUDENTS.

RYAN BJORKLUND worked with Drs. Provatas and Stuart at the Center for Environmental Science & Engineering (CESE) on a project focused around trace compound analysis.

ETHAN BROWN studied the generation and shape of quantum dots while working in Dr. Zhao’s laboratory.

RYAN CLEAVES worked with Dr. Parnas on a project focused around conversion of grease and waste sludge to biodiesel.

ALYSHA DEGENNARO worked both in research groups at UConn in data compilation and polymer science, and as an intern at ITW Graphics in Manchester, CT, where she studied the chemistry of heat-transfer labels, inks, and adhesives.

GRACE GREENE worked with Drs. Provatas and Stuart at the Center for Environmental Science & Engineering (CESE) developing methods for quantifying levels of polyfluorinated compounds (a class of industrial chemicals) in animals.

EMMA KELLY used computational chemistry tools while working in Dr. Gascon’s research group.

MEGAN KRUZYK undertook several projects in the area of nanoscience, one of which was published in 2019. This reported an improved selectivity of metal nanoparticles for activation of carbon dioxide.

VICTORIA LIVINGSTON was involved in preparing and studying the properties of a class of capsule compounds in Dr. Pinkhassik’s group.

MATTHEW PICKETT has been involved in a number of catalysis-focused projects in Dr. Suib’s group as well as exploring his own research idea for a class of compounds for organophosphate decontamination.

THOMAS PRAISNER worked on a project focused around inorganic materials chemistry in Dr. Suib’s group.

MORGAN RHINEHART prepared biologically-relevant organic compounds in Dr. Howell’s laboratory.

JOELA SHURDHO studied the catalysis of metal oxide materials in Dr. Suib’s laboratory and had the opportunity to collaborate with a research group at Tufts University.

COLE STEARNS has prepared and studied the properties of a range of metal complexes while working on several projects in Dr. Ung’s research group.

ALLISON ZUPAN has worked in Dr. Pinkhassik’s group on projects directed around the encapsulation of molecules, and then transitioned to Dr. Quardokus’ group where she has been involved in surface science and has developed an educational tool that can be used by schools.

FUTURE PLANS A SELECTION FROM THIS YEAR’S GRADUATING CLASS I will be pursuing a career in industry in Orlando, Florida.

— KAREN AVILA In the Fall, I will be attending UConn Law in pursuit of becoming a patent attorney.

— ROBERT BERTEKAP III I have accepted a position working at Travelers Insurance in their Industrial Hygiene and Forensics Laboratory.

— RYAN CLEAVES Since graduating in December, I began working at King Industries as a Production Chemist.

— JOSEPH COMIA I am working in the field of Engineering at Rogers Corporation.

— JORDAN FARLEY In the Fall, I will be attending Purdue University to pursue my doctorate in analytical chemistry.

— GRACE GREENE I am continuing my education at UConn through NEAG. My goal is to obtain my Master’s in Education and to become a high school chemistry teacher.

— MEGAN KRUZYK I will be commissioning into Active Duty Air Force and utilizing my placement in the Health Professionals Scholarship Program to attend medical school.

— VICTORIA LIVINGSTON I have enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Florida to pursue a Ph.D. I hope to have a career in academic/industry organic chemistry research.

— COLE STEARNS I am pursuing my Ph.D. in Chemistry at Tufts University.

— ALLISON ZUPAN

MEMORIES & MUSINGS: OF MEMORIES & MUSINGS A SELECTION WHAT DID YOU MOST ENJOY ABOUT YOUR TIME AS A CHEMISTRY MAJOR AT UCONN?

WHAT DID YOU MOST ENJOY ABOUT YOUR TIME AS A CHEMISTRY MAJOR AT UCONN?

The professors and TAs were incredibly helpful, and the labs gave me a good amount of experience. The program is fantastic!

RYAN BJORKLUND Using high-tech equipment like the NMR and HPLC for class was very interesting. I also made like-minded friends who were there to help each other succeed!

ETHAN BROWN UConn Chemistry was one of the absolute best choices I’ve made in my life thus far. I have a strong feeling this program will set myself and everyone else graduating up for a very bright future!

RYAN CLEAVES I am thankful this program allowed me to make new friends and learn an abundance of information. Freshman year, I met four amazing people in my Chemistry FYE and we have been friends ever since. UConn gave me the opportunity to create a lot of great memories!

ALYSHA DEGENNARO I like to challenge myself, and the chemistry course curriculum certainly met that expectation. I also made some great friends through the chemistry program!

EMMA KELLY I liked getting involved in research most. Research helped me develop as a scientist and expand my interests, but also made my classes more engaging. I could physically see the application of the topics taught in class and felt that it was integral to my time at UConn.

MATTHEW PICKETT I enjoyed our laboratory courses and the hands on learning that I was able to do. The seminars were also very interesting and helpful in learning new material, networking, and finding what area of chemistry fits me and what I want to do after graduation.

MORGAN RHINEHART The TAs, professors, and advisors made the Chemistry Building feel like home. I couldn’t have done it without their support!

JOELA SHURDHO Being a chemistry major was challenging, but the best part of it was having that lightbulb moment! Finally understanding something that you have put so much time and effort into is incredibly rewarding.

GABRIELLA TUXBURY

CHEMISTRY UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM University of Connecticut Department of Chemistry 55 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269-3060 P: 860.486.2012 | F: 860.486.2981 | E: chemdept@uconn.edu CHEMISTRY.UCONN.EDU

WE INVITE YOU TO SHARE THIS SPECIAL DAY WITH US @UCONNCHEM

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