Meet the 2022 Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars
The Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars Program pairs promising undergraduates with research mentors — graduate students, postdocs, and faculty members — immersing them in a 12-month, comprehensive research experience in Knight Campus-affiliated labs.
These young scientists are taking on independent research projects in a diverse set of fields and connecting with mentors throughout the Knight Campus and across the UO. Read more below about this year's cohort of next generation leading researchers.
Wuest Scholar
Class: Junior
Major: Biochemistry (Clark Honors College)
Mentor: Hiro Uehara, senior research associate at the Knight Campus
Lab: Ambati Lab
“My deep interest in cell biology, and its biochemical applications in medical research, was ignited when I joined the Ambati lab in the Knight Campus in February 2021. As a research assistant, I accrued skills pertaining to ophthalmology, molecular biology, cell biology, and animal experimentation. Admittance to the Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars is allowing me to closely collaborate with researchers who have extensive experience developing successful technologies in the private sector and implementing innovative treatment methods in patient care."
Thermo Fisher Scholar
Class: Sophomore
Major: Biochemistry (Clark Honors College)
Mentor: Parisa Hosseinzadeh, assistant professor at the Knight Campus
Lab: Hosseinzadeh Lab
“I believe a career in scientific research can benefit society in many ways – from helping treat disease to lessening the effects of climate change. I will strive to succeed in whatever career I end up having, but first I will focus on being successful in my education. Participation in the Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars Program aligns with my goal of going into research in the future, so it is very important for me. This program will prepare me for future research by teaching me about the research process, and by giving me hands-on experience."
William Fairey Scholar
Class: Senior
Major: Biology
Mentor: Cori Cahoon, postdoctoral scholar at the Institute for Molecular Biology
Lab: Libuda Lab
“My long-term goal is to obtain a Ph.D. and build a research career that is also devoted to effectively communicating science to both scientists and non-scientists. I believe that being able to effectively communicate science to students and non-scientists is important. The Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars (KCUS) program offers an unparalleled opportunity for me to expand upon my science communication skills and research experience. I am driven to participate in this program to develop my research skills and employ a diverse set of skills, tools, and approaches to research important, impactful subjects.”
Clark Honors College Scholar
Class: Sophomore
Major: Computer Science (Clark Honors College)
Mentor: Genevieve Romanowicz, postdoctoral scholar in the Guldberg Lab
Lab: Guldberg Lab
“My goal is to become a bioinformatics engineer in the hopes of revolutionizing the methods in which doctors evaluate diseases and treat patients. Through research at the Knight Campus, I hope to further expand my knowledge regarding machine learning algorithms, statistical analysis, and the vast network of biological systems that make up the human body.”
Human Performance Alliance Scholar
Class: Junior
Major: Human Physiology
Mentor: Christopher Chapman, postdoctoral scholar at the UO
Lab: Minson Human Cardiovascular Control Lab
“I aspire to be a physician who focuses on combating the ongoing racial and sex disparities in healthcare. I believe that the field of obstetrics & gynecology has some of the largest need for growth, specifically regarding the increasing maternal mortality rate for women in the United States. Participating in the Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars research program will greatly benefit my current education and future career.”
Clark Honors College Scholar
Class: Junior
Major: Biochemistry (Clark Honors College)
Mentor: Ethan Shaw, graduate teaching fellow at the Institute for Molecular Biology
Lab: Garcia Lab
“My interest in understanding how phenotypes in organisms can be caused by more than just alterations to the genetic code has led me to pursue research in the field of epigenetics. I hope to one day elucidate some of the epigenetic mechanisms responsible for diseased states in humans to make treatment of those diseases possible. The Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars Program is a great opportunity to learn how leading biological researchers apply basic scientific research in model organisms to impact human health."
Richardson Family Scholar
Class: Junior
Major: Biochemistry (Clark Honors College)
Mentor: Kelly O'Neill, Ph.D. candidate in the Dalton Lab
Lab: Dalton Lab
“My career goal is to obtain a master’s degree in public health and work in virology. The importance of virology and epidemiology has been demonstrated with the outbreaks of SARS, Ebola, Zika virus, and COVID-19 on a global scale. The opportunity to work on my own independent research project at this point in my career is a tremendous honor, and being a Knight Campus Scholar is enabling me to take my research to the next level."
Petrone Scholar
Class: Junior
Major: Chemistry
Mentor: James May, fifth-year graduate student in the Jasti Lab
Lab: Jasti Lab
“I fell in love with science for its never-ending complexity; the more I learn, the more I realize how much there is left to discover. I love observing a seemingly mundane process occur around me (like water condensing on a cold window, or oil and water not mixing), and being able to understand exactly what is happening on a molecular scale. The Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars program allows me to immerse myself in full-time work as a researcher, and obtain a better view of what direction I want to take when it becomes time to start my career."
Singer Scholar
Class: Junior
Major: Chemistry
Mentor: Veronica Spaulding, graduate student in Organic/Inorganic/Materials Chemistry
Lab: Hettiaratchi Lab
“It has always been a goal of mine to combine my passion for chemistry with my love of biology in novel ways. Through conducting research and learning about ways I can actively problem-solve to create therapeutics, I now see the possibility of continuing to do bioengineering research post-graduation with applications in reproductive health like cervical cancer research. Being a Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar this year means that I now have the resources to further my research, under the continued support of my mentor and my peers in the program."
Bryan and Maureen Wolf Scholar
Class: Junior
Major: Human Physiology
Mentor: Isaac Gomez, graduate student in the Action Control Lab
Lab: Greenhouse Lab
“My long-term goal is to obtain a Ph.D. and build a research career that is also devoted to effectively communicating science to both scientists and non-scientists. I believe that being able to effectively communicate science to students and non-scientists is important. The Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars (KCUS) program offers an unparalleled opportunity for me to expand upon my science communication skills and research experience. I am driven to participate in this program to develop my research skills and employ a diverse set of skills, tools, and approaches to research important, impactful subjects.”
Thermo Fisher Scholar
Class: Junior
Major: Human Physiology (Clark Honors College)
Mentor: Salil Karipott, postdoctoral scholar in the Ong Lab
Lab: Ong Lab
“If you ask my mother what I was like when I was younger, she will tell you that I was a wild child. I was fascinated by nature and often spent several hours a day outside examining every rock, leaf, and roly-poly bug I could find. Everything I saw around me was like a puzzle — elusive, mind-bending masterpieces that I wanted to spend more time exploring. Working in a bioengineering lab as a Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar, specifically with regard to precision medical technology, means that I am finally able to connect the dots between my academic and extracurricular pursuits with my future dream profession, all while feeding the passion for puzzles that I’ve had since I was a little girl."
Hulsey Family Scholar
Class: Junior
Major: Biochemistry (Clark Honors College)
Mentor: Calin Plesa, assistant professor at the Knight Campus
Lab: Plesa Lab
“My future goals as a scientist are to continue pursuing research of biological systems and rise to the role of a teacher instill a love for science in the next generation. Through my work with the Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar program, I have been driven to expand my skills both in the lab and in my communication with the research community. I am proud to be a member of the program because it places me within a group of motivated students who are prominent leaders in scientific research and engagement at the University of Oregon.”
Thermo Fisher Scholar
Class: Junior
Major: Biochemistry/Human Physiology
Mentor: Katie Fisher, Ph.D. candidate at the Institute for Molecular Biology
Lab: Grimes Lab
“There is nothing I love more than figuring out what makes us work. The great mystery of how we function has always driven my curiosity toward research. I found my true passion in biomedical research and took a specific interest in genetics. The Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar program will provide me with the opportunity to make significant strides in my research ability and knowledge, and through biomedical research, I can help improve the overall health of our society. I am passionate about my goals and know this program will be of great benefit."
Petrone Scholar
Class: Junior
Major: Biology/Neuroscience
Mentor: Emily Sweeney, research associate at the Institute for Molecular Biology
Lab: Guillemin Lab
“I want to contribute to the scientific community by making new discoveries and applying the findings to advancing the care and well-being of humans. The Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar program aligns with these goals by providing an opportunity for me to have a more intimate understanding of bench research and the scientific method. It allows me to be fully submerged in a research setting, surrounded by other students that have similar goals and interests, as well as mentored by professionals with rich knowledge and experience to share."
W. Chris Babcock Scholar
Class: Junior
Major: Biology/Data Science (Clark Honors College)
Mentor: Natanya Villegas, Biology Ph.D. candidate in the Knight Campus
Lab: Plesa Lab
“I hope to become a bridge for the scientific community and help others communicate the societal impact of their work. With that, I hope to combat misinformation through ethical data science and effective communication strategies. Ultimately, I want to make reliable information more accessible and strengthen the public’s trust in the scientific community. I am confident that the Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar program is the perfect opportunity for me to transform into a better researcher and communicator of science; one with the soft skills necessary to collaborate and present information to various audiences."
Guldberg Scholar
Class: Junior
Major: Environmental Science/Philosophy (Clark Honors College)
Mentor: Hope Healey, Ph.D. candidate in the Cresko Lab
Lab: Cresko Lab
“My engagement with numerous research communities at the University of Oregon has been exciting and rewarding. It has inspired my love for research and clarified my career goals. In particular, I am passionate about working with living organisms in a wet lab. I am still exploring fields of biological research and will greatly benefit from learning about different fields of research through the Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars program. It is enabling me to learn from and engage with leading researchers, and collaborate with other undergraduate researchers which are enriching and inspiring my own research."
