S T U D E N T ganic chemistry’s undergraduate
scientifically throughout the challenges
poster award (one of only five).
of his research projects and his ability to
The conference allowed her
independently solve scientific problems,
to explore other areas of chem-
while staying enthusiastic and engaged.
istry, and has helped her hone
He has repeatedly demonstrated
in on bioinorganic chemistry
himself to be eager to face and conquer
for her Ph.D. She clearly is a
scientific challenges with high ambition
chemist who is off to a fantastic
and strong work ethics. Danny’s dissertation
research career!
work displays effectiveness in managing
Alison is a first-generation Chinese
multiple projects with different reaction
American, having lived all over the US
mechanisms and materials undergoing
before graduating high school in Utah. In
optical and structural heterogeneities that
addition to her studies and research, Alison
are often difficult to elucidate. Driving these
ALISON WANG - CHEMISTRY
works at the Utah Lions Eye Bank and as a
complex projects to completion illustrates
2022-2023 Goldwater Scholar
waitress. In her spare time, she enjoys rock
his organizational skills, self-motivation, and
climbing, eating at Osteria Amore, and is
independent nature.
Alison enrolled at the U in 2019 and declared chemistry as her major, with her eyes set on going to medical school. However,
helping to train a guide dog. In addition to the Goldwater scholarship
Danny was actively engaged with the Lassonde School of Entrepreneurship during
her honors general chemistry professor, Luisa
Alison has also received the Laya F. Kesner
his graduate studies. It is quite rare that
Whittaker-Brooks, encouraged her to seek a
and Leon Watters Memorial Award, and the
graduate students will pursue extracurricular
research opportunity in Caroline Saouma’s lab
Undergraduate Research Scholarship from the
activities given the difficulty and attention it
as a first-year-student.
University of Utah Department of Chemistry.
requires, yet Danny not only participated but excelled in this area. I have to say that Danny
Unfortunately the pandemic delayed Alison’s start to lab work until fall of her sopho-
DANIEL POWELL - CHEMISTRY
is a very talented scientific communicator.
more year, but she came to love research–so
Outstanding Graduate Student
Often, his papers were ready for submission
much so that she now is planning to enroll in either an M.D./Ph.D. or Ph.D. program.
I was extremely thrilled when Danny joined my research group in the spring of
without much addition from my end! Danny recently defended his PhD work
2016. I was in desperate need of a student
and will be joining Blackrock Neurotech (a
studies for the electrocatalytic reduction to
with strong organic synthesis skills that could
company housed in Research Park dealing
CO2 to CO or formate at Mn centers. She was
push the development of solution-process-
with the development of implantable neu-
a UROP scholar (twice), and participated in the
able and high efficient organic electronics
rological devices). At Blackrock Neurotech,
department of chemistry’s NSF-funded REU
to another level and Danny
program last summer.
certainly delivered!
Her research is focused on mechanistic
These opportunities helped Alison gain
6
S U C C E S S
As Danny’s
he will be responsible for seeking both federal and investor funding
valuable skills in communicating science,
Ph.D. mentor,
which she refined in February at the Utah Con-
I have had
I am confident
ference on Undergraduate Research (UCUR).
the oppor-
he will be
She secured funding through the Office of
tunity to
successful
Undergraduate Research (OUR) to present
experience
in his
a poster at the spring national American
first-hand
future
Chemical Society (ACS) meeting in San Diego
how he
endeavors.
in March, where she won the division of inor-
has grown
for the company.
Daniel Powell and Luisa Whittaker-Brooks
