2008 Student Research
Research Project: Exquisite nanoscale shape control of conducting polymers
Graduate Mentor: Henry Tran
Faculty Mentor: Richard Kaner
UCLA Department: Chemistry & Biochemistry
School/Major: University of Pennsylvania, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Bio: I am a rising senior at the University of Pennsylvania and will be graduating with a major
in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and minors in Mathematics and
Nanotechnology. Through the NanoCER program, I am working with conducting
polymers in the Kaner Group at UCLA this summer. When not in the lab I enjoy playing
and following sports (Yankees/Football Giants), exploring, and long walks on the beach.
Poster | Abstract
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Peter Beltramo
U. of Penn
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Research Project: Solution-processed copper indium selenide solar cell
Graduate Mentor: William Hou
Faculty Mentor: Yang Yang
UCLA Department: Materials Science & Engineering
School/Major: Harvard, Physics
Bio: For several years now I have been interested in the energy problems that have begun to
loom over most of the world.s industrialized countries. If a solution is to be eventually
reached, it will likely be a tremendous international effort that may require everyone in
the world to change the way they live their lives. That said, a little help from advances in
energy technology would be a welcome surprise. I have largely focused my attention on
photovoltaic energy conversion devices as a field with room for scientific advancement
and which would greatly benefit society if their cost-effectiveness could be improved
from its current state. Beyond research, I am a fan of badminton, and have been involved
in clubs or teams for a few years now.
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Brion Bob
Harvard
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Research Project: West Nile Virus DNA Detection via Rolling Circle Amplification on Nanoscale Electrodes
Graduate Mentor: Eric Schopf
Faculty Mentor: Yong Chen
UCLA Department: Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
School/Major: Stanford University, Materials Science & Engineering
Bio: I come from Syracuse, NY and just finished my sophomore year at Stanford University.
I haven.t declared a major, but am interested in studying Materials Science &
Engineering and Computer Science. After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan
to attend graduate school and study Bioengineering. In my free time, I enjoy traveling,
running, and spending time with friends.
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Micol Marchettit-Bowick
Stanford
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Research Project: Protection of Magnesium Anodes for Secondary Batteries
Graduate Mentor: Grant Umeda
Faculty Mentor: Bruce Dunn
UCLA Department: Materials Science & Engineering
School/Major: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Bio: For the past year I have been conducting research at Cal Poly Pomona on the bactericidal
effectiveness of the cutting edge materials, magnesium oxide aerogels. This project has
been very fulfilling, and I am very excited that a new group of students will be carrying
on the research into next year. I am currently studying chemical engineering as a major,
and materials engineering as a minor, but prefer the materials engineering side of things.
When I'm not at school (which is not very often), I love camping, fishing, seeing lots of
movies, playing Mariokart Wii, and just hanging out with friends. In the winter,
whenever I get a chance I go snowboarding locally at Mount Baldy or any other
mountains with good snow coverage that southern California has to offer.
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Danielle Casillas
Cal State Polytech, Pomona
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Research Project: Surface Modification of Parylene-Coated Microfluidic Devices
Graduate Mentor: Steven Ma
Faculty Mentor: Robin Garrell
UCLA Department: Chemistry & Biochemistry
School/Major: Texas State University - San Marcos, Chemistry
Bio: I was born in McAllen, TX (VERY South Texas), but was brought up in Austin. I actually enjoy
being taken out of my comfort zone as much as possible and being thrown into these completely
berserk settings that I've never been confronted with before. I think it makes my life more
interesting and helps me to appreciate the good times.
As for my hobbies.... I love people. I love mint-chocolate chip ice cream. I was brought up
playing the piano (of the classical persuasion), which some how led me into Chemistry. I'm not
exactly sure how those two are connected but I knows there's some kind of connection because
I'm here researching Microfluidics. I enjoy watching Alias.
Poster | Abstract
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Rebecca Flores
Texas State University - San Marcos
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Research Project: The Computational Design of a Diels-Alderase
Graduate Mentor: Jason De Chancie
Faculty Mentor: Kendall Houk
UCLA Department: Chemistry & Biochemistry
School/Major: Swarthmore College, Biochemistry
Bio: I grew up just outside of Boston, and am currently a rising senior at Swarthmore College, majoring in
biochemistry. After graduation I plan on working for a year or two before graduate school, and I hope to
study the chemistry of microbes. My hobbies include backpacking, folk dance, and board games.
Poster | Abstract
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Alexander George
Swarthmore
College
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Research Project: Nano Neuromorphic Circuits
Graduate Mentor: Lei Zhang
Faculty Mentor: Yong Chen
UCLA Department: Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
School/Major: Alfred University, Electrical Engineering
Bio: I'm an electrical engineering student in the Kazou Inamori School of Engineering at
Alfred University in New York. I have been involved in research in several fields
including material science, computer science, and nanotechnology. I enjoy playing
soccer and performing in sketch comedy. I hold the prestige of being a library card
holder in Richland County since the age of six.
Poster | Abstract
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Frederick Gertz
Alfred University
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Research Project: Engineered Vaults to Bind Heavy Metal Ions
Graduate Mentor: Benny Ng
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Tolbert
UCLA Department: Chemistry & Biochemistry
School/Major: University of Pennsylvania, Biomedical Engineering
Bio: I am a Materials Science and Engineering major at University of Pennsylvania, minoring
in Chemistry, Math, and Economics. My scientific interests lie mostly in the biological
sciences, particularly in microbiology and protein engineering. I hope to eventually
pursue a Ph.D. in bioengineering. Outside of academics, my hobbies include playing
basketball and tennis, hiking, and listening to music. My favorite television shows are
Entourage and Flight of the Concords, and my favorite ice cream flavor is Haagen Daaz
Dulce de Leche.
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Derrick Hsu
U. Penn
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Research Project: Synthesis of Substituted Alpha-Amino Acid Monomer to Prepare Brush Copolypeptides
Graduate Mentor: Zhibo Li
Faculty Mentor: Tim Deming
UCLA Department: Bioengineering
School/Major: Northwestern University, Chemical Engineering
Bio: I am a rising senior majoring in chemical engineering and biology at Northwestern
University. My academic interests span many different fields. In biology, I am most
interested in neurobiology and biochemistry. However, I am not only focused
in engineering and biology, as I hold a great interest in organic chemistry. When I'm not
studying or in lab, I like to spend my time going to the gym or karaoking the night away
(sometimes both at the same time). I'm also interested in dance, but have never really
learned. I plan on learning salsa, swing, and maybe some street dancing in the near
future.
Poster | Abstract
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Joe Phan
Northwestern University
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Research Project: Synthesis of a Photolabile Macromer and its Two-Photon-Photolysis
Graduate Mentor: Don Griffin
Faculty Mentor: Andrea Kasko
UCLA Department: Bioengineering
School/Major: University of Oregon, Chemistry
Bio: I am a chemistry major at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon. Right now,
Eugene is a center of attention, as it is hosting the 2008 Olympic track trials. I went to
high school in Eugene, but I grew up in Seattle, which makes me have a thing for big
cities. I have been enjoying LA because of this reason. I play the cello, and I enjoy doing
artwork. I enjoy painting and drawing and have also explored ceramics. I got hooked on
chemistry in my first year of high school chemistry, which inspired me to take AP
chemistry and go on to major in chemistry. I am also considering taking some college art
classes. I am in the Honors College at the U of O, which has small, interesting classes
that forgo the general university requirements. In my free time I like to go to yard sales,
hang out at coffee shops, shop at Goodwill and St. Vincent de Paul's, read books, and
watch Alias. Yes, I should become an Alias Anonymous member. I have seen all the
seasons so many times that I lost track of the count. My Alias mania is so much that I
started watching other shows with former Alias actors. I also go bowling a lot, and
although I have not hit the 200 mark, my high score is 158.
Poster | Abstract
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Lily Robertson
University of
Oregon
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Research Project: Synthesis and Photodecarbonylation of Solid State Cyclopropenes
Graduate Mentor: Greg Kuzmanich
Faculty Mentor: Miguel Garcia-Garibay
UCLA Department: Chemistry & Biochemistry
School/Major: John Hopkins University, Chemistry; Writing Seminars
Bio: I'm a rising senior at Johns Hopkins University. I'm from New York City, but would like
to move out to the west coast. After undergrad I would like to go to graduate school for
chemistry.
Poster | Abstract
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Geeta Vadehra
Johns Hopkins University
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Research Project: Developing Aligned Conducting Polymer Nanofibers
Graduate Mentor: Robert Kojima
Faculty Mentor: Richard Kaner
UCLA Department: Chemistry & Biochemistry
School/Major: University of Perugia, Chemistry
Bio: I was born in east China, near Shanghai, but at the age of 8 I went to Italy where I have just
finished my third year of university with GPA of 4.0.
My major is chemistry and I want to continue my studies after I graduate in a Ph.D. program, also
abroad if I become fluent enough in English (unfortunately it is only my fourth language). I am
interested in almost all fields of chemistry and the science in general, from the theory to
applications, due to my insatiable curiosity.
At the moment I am spending my summer at UCLA as a international exchange student. My
assigned project is on the developing of conducting polymer nanofibers and their application in
catalysis and sensors, thanks to which I could have had the honor to meet professor Kaner and his
group.
My hobbies are: board games, ping pong, manga, anime, videogames, travel, painting, etc...
Poster | Abstract
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Yilei Wu
University of Perugia, Italy
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