LSU Chemistry Students Recognized at Choppin Honors Convocation
May 10, 2024
At the close of each spring semester, the College of Science and its departments celebrate the achievements of students, faculty, and staff at the Arthur R. Choppin Honors Convocation. This year, LSU Chemistry students were distinguished for their exceptional academic performance, research, and service to the College. Congratulations to the 2024 Chemistry Honorees for their remarkable accomplishments and contributions.
Department of Chemistry Student Awards
Dr. Benjamin Pierre Boussert Outstanding Student Award
The Dr. Benjamin Pierre Boussert Outstanding Student Award is given to a graduating chemistry major with exceptional academic performance and research accomplishments.
Peyton Meares
Peyton is a graduating senior and conducted undergraduate research in Professor Rendy Kartika’s laboratory. His research focused on developing new organic reactions under catalytic conditions to create complex molecules, aimed for drug discovery screening. Peyton has successfully defended his Honors Thesis and will graduate with College Honors distinction. After graduation, he plans to pursue his Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Texas at Austin, with aspirations to become a research chemist in the pharmaceutical industry.
Sadie Noble
Sadie is a graduating senior and conducted undergraduate research in the lab of Assistant Professor Amy Xu. Her research centered on understanding how proteins behave in crowded, cell-like environments. The insights from her work are crucial for developing a deeper understanding of protein pathology, where undesired protein phase separation can lead to conditions such as Alzheimer's Disease. Sadie has also co-authored a recent paper in the journal Biomacromolecules. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Dr. Linda Allen Excellence in Academics and Research Award
The Dr. Linda Allen Excellence in Academics and Research Award is given to chemistry majors who demonstrated excellence in academics and research. The recipients are selected by faculty members from each division in the Department of Chemistry.
Tai Hua
Tai is a junior working in the laboratory of Associate Professor Kenneth Lopata where he has developed an introduction to the dynamics of electrons in atoms subjected to intense laser fields. His work makes challenging topics in time-dependent quantum mechanics accessible to chemists. Upon completing his undergraduate studies, Tai plans to embark on a Ph.D. journey in computational chemistry.
Katy Knecht
Katy is an Ogden Honors College graduating senior and MARC scholar. She joined the research group of Assistant Noémie Elgrishi in Fall 2021, contributing to the lab’s work on water denitrification at the interface of inorganic and analytical chemistry. Katy is also the recipient of the ACS Inorganic Award in 2023. This May, Katy will graduate with honors and the LSU Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher designation. In fall 2024, Katy will be pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Sarah Napier
Sarah, a graduating senior, has been involved in research in Associate Professor Semin Lee’s lab, where she synthesized novel ligands for molybdenum-based alkyne metathesis catalysts. Sarah presented her research at several conferences and was named a recipient of the ACS Division of Organic Chemistry Award. Following graduation, Sarah will pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry at Indiana University.
Starlyn Pickett
Starlyn is a graduating senior who conducted research in the laboratory of Assistant Professor Matthew Chambers. Her research sought to develop stable ligand platforms supporting molybdenum dioxo complexes to mediate photocatalytic hydrocarbon functionalization, with the goal of creating new sustainable methods for petrochemical upcycling using renewable energy. Before applying to Ph.D. programs, Starlyn is interested in acquiring industrial experience.
Ayesha Weerakoon
Ayesha is a junior conducting research in the laboratory of Professor Donghui Zhang, working on the synthesis of amino acid-derived N-carboxy anhydride monomers and investigates their polymerization behavior. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, Ayesha aspires to pursue an M.D./Ph.D., aiming to combine medical practice with scientific research as a physician-scientist.
College of Science Recognitions
Student Ambassadors - Recognition of Service Awards
College of Science Student Ambassadors contribute to planning and executing recruitment events for prospective and admitted students. They also conduct personalized family tours and participate on presentation panels. To excel in these roles, the ambassadors must display exemplary verbal and written communication skills and effectively collaborate with their peers, staff, and faculty.
Alexandra Barton
Alexandra is a graduating senior and will be will awarded degrees in Chemistry and Psychology, specializing in Cognitive Neuroscience, from the College of Humanities & Social Sciences this May.
Katy Knecht
Katy is a graduating senior of the Ogden Honors College and a MARC scholar. She is also a recipient of a Dr. Linda Allen Excellence in Academics and Research Award. Katy will graduate this May with honors and the LSU Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher designation. This fall, she will pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry.
College of Science SCI Lead Student Council
The SCI Lead Student Council, housed within the College of Science Office of Academic Innovation & Engagement, is dedicated to enhancing the professional, leadership, and communication skills of students. SCI Lead emphasizes promoting diversity and inclusion and members engage in a variety of professional and community activities, which are designed to facilitate networking and equip students for their future careers in science.
Lilia Lopez Medina
Lilia is a sophomore conducting research on artificial molecular machines under the guidance of the García-López Research Group. Last summer, she secured an internship at the Western Hemisphere Analytical Lab in Honduras, where she worked under the nutrition and pesticides departments. Her ultimate goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry.