Undergraduate Student Awards

Peter T. Lansbury Chemistry Awardees:

Brandon Oligny

In the Benedict lab, Brandon synthesized halogen-containing diarylethene molecules. This exciting class of photoswitchable molecules changes shape and electronic structure upon exposure to light! The molecules were then used to form halogen-bonded crystalline solids – a relatively new class of solid-state materials that utilize an increasingly popular type of supramolecular synthons. 

Therese H. Wild

Therese Wild has been working in the Diver lab since early 2020, but her undergraduate research was interrupted due to the research pause. Nonetheless, she got back to lab work in the Fall of 2020 working with her graduate student mentor Larry Rohde to synthesize a series of conjugated dienes using phosphorus-containing alkenes. Phosphorus based reagents are broadly useful in organic synthesis of complex molecules. A more reactive Grubbs catalyst was needed for many of these syntheses. This experience taught Therese how to perform air sensitive reactions and how to work in an inert atmosphere glovebox. Her work was published in early 2021 in J. Org. Chem. (“Ene–Yne Metathesis of Allylphosphonates and Allylphosphates: Synthesis of Phosphorus-Containing 1,3-Dienes” Laurence N. Rohde Jr., Thérèse H. Wild, and Steven T. Diver J. Org. Chem2021, 86, 2, 1371–1384.) This Fall (2021), Therese will begin her PhD studies in organic chemistry at the University of Utah.

Albert Padwa Chemistry Awardee:

Elizabeth L. Stippell

Liz, in Prof. Morrow's group, has been studying the formation of “magnetic yeast cells”  that are produced upon incubation of yeast (Saccharomyces Cerevisiae) with paramagnetic metal ions including iron, cobalt, nickel and lanthanides. She monitors their magnetic properties through their attraction to magnets and also their effect on water proton relaxation. She is interested in the form of the metal ion and location in the yeast cells. This project is a collaboration with Prof. Paul Cullen in the UB's Biology Department. Liz will be going to graduate school in chemistry in Fall 2021.

New Award

Michael Detty Undergraduate Summer Research Award

Margaret Logan Detty, PhD, along with friends and family of the late Michael Detty, PhD, have created an endowed fund within the University at Buffalo Foundation, Inc. to be used for the purpose of supporting a student participating in a summer research opportunity with a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry.

Our department is grateful to Margaret Logan Detty and the other donors for establishing this award, which honors Prof. Detty’s legacy and highlights his longstanding dedication to mentoring research students.

Awards, Scholarships, and Fellowships are Made Possible Through the Generosity of Our Donors!

Undergraduate Student Awardees

American Institute of Chemists Award

  • James Wehrle

College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Senior Award

  • Alexander Manly

Jane C. Denton Scholarship

  • Lauryn A. Jerz
  • Caroline Peeples
  • Therese H. Wild

Joseph and Louise Tufariello Award

  • Alexander Manly
  • Jennifer Seidman

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship

  • Joshua Hazelnis

Ralph T. Theurer Scholarship Award

  • Christopher Barone
  • Benjamin Bartula
  • Luke DiFato
  • Audrey Hoyt
  • Lauryn A. Jerz
  • Katrina Ma
  • Caroline Peeples
  • Jake Toczek
  • Therese H. Wild

Senior Merck Award

  • Zuiru Lin

Taylor and Francis Award

  • Jaclyn Raymond

William E. Townsend Scholarship

  • Catherine Carter
  • Joshua P. Hazelnis

Academic Excellence in Chemistry Award

GPA of 3.75 – 4.0

  • Kyle R. Boyd
  • Joshua P. Hazelnis
  • Alexander Manly
  • Jennifer Seidman

GPA of 3.50 – 3.74

  • Alexis Cardarella
  • Samantha A. Galbo

GPA of 3.20 – 3.49

  • Alejandro Becerra, Jr.
  • Catherine Carter
  • Patrick Chung
  • Thomas J. Mellody
  • Ngoc Nguyen
  • Alexia R. Pezzino
  • James Wehrle

Academic Excellence in Medicinal Chemistry Award

GPA of 3.75 – 4.0

  • Zuiru Lin

GPA of 3.50 – 3.74

  • Dustin D. Youmans

GPA of 3.20 – 3.49

  • Madison K. Matheis
  • Ngoc Thi My Nguyen

Academic Excellence in Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry Award

GPA of 3.50 – 3.74

  • Hyein Kwon

American Chemical Society Chemistry Division Awards

  • Katrina Ma (Analytical Division)
  • Hyein Kwon (Inorganic Division)
  • Joshua P. Hazelnis (Organic Division)
  • Alexander Manly (Physical Division)

Western New York American Chemical Society Chemistry Award

  • Alexander Manly

Western New York American Chemical Society Medicinal Chemistry Award

  • Dustin D. Youmans

General Chemistry (Top 1% of 1st year) Awards

Ali Ahmad; Anish Avasthi; Cam Bass; Linda Chen; Sophia Cronk; Mikayla Dawes; Nate Dolan; Kateryna Fetsyak; Stephanie Flint; Lilly Freeman-Striegel; Jessica Jong; Maryam Kirch; Becka Konnayil; Sarah Lewis; Joel Mercado; Bryce North; Richard Pasternack; Laura Schultz; Shikha Shelat; Bryson Shunk; Abbey Tallman; Madison Waldron

Organic Chemistry (Top 1% of Sophomore) Awards

Elizabeth Chow; Jimmy Ellegate; Alaina Kenny; Morgan Mitchell; Sam Nelson; Will Roberts; Serena Tulley; Andrew Yarnell; James Zielinski