Abigail Calixto
In August, Abby Calixto starts her new job as a scientist for Eli Lilly and Company in the Manufacturing Science Department in Indianapolis.
“I am so excited to be crossing the finish line of my undergraduate years here at Illinois,” said Calixto, a Class of 2026 chemistry graduate.
Mary Choy
Getting involved in research completely changed the trajectory of Mary Choy’s undergraduate experience at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
“I cannot emphasize enough how meaningful that experience has been for me,” Choy said.
A senior majoring in chemistry and earth, society, and environmental sustainability, Choy graduates in May and will pursue her Ph.D. in polymer chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University
Vito Failla
An aspiring physician who wants to do Alzheimer’s research, Vito Failla describes graduating as bittersweet.
“Being able to make my family proud by reaching this milestone in my life feels great. It does feel a little sad with this chapter closing in my life, but I am excited to see what the next chapter has in store for me,” said Failla, a chemistry major in the Class of 2026 who will continue working as a Laboratory Technician on campus this summer until he moves on to medical school.
Michaela Klein
A chemistry major in the Class of 2026, Michaela Klein won’t miss the Illinois campus after graduation, because she will be pursuing a second degree in Atmospheric Sciences at Illinois.
“There are many routes my future can take, but currently, my career goals are becoming an aviation meteorologist and obtaining a pilot’s license,” said Klein, who was a member of Outdoor Adventure Club (OAC) at Illinois.