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, where she hopes to get involved in the design of well-defined, functional polymers that enable more sustainable end-of-life outcomes.
“I also have broader interests in developing catalysts for polymer synthesis as well as polymer characterization,” said Choy, who came to Illinois as a freshman considering pre-law or chemistry. “Funny enough, I ended up choosing chemistry on a whim, which I’m so glad I did.”
Choy added a double major in environmental sustainability to complement her research in sustainable materials development.
“I’ve challenged myself by taking materials science and civil engineering classes that count for my environmental sustainability major, and it’s really helped me see both the technical and social sides of sustainability,” she said.
Since her sophomore year at Illinois, Choy has participated in undergraduate research in Prof. Jeffrey Moore’s lab.
“Opportunities like co-authoring my first research paper and presenting my research helped me feel like a scientist for the first time,” said Choy, who was mentored by Ben Suslick, a postdoctoral research associate in the Moore group.
Choy contributed to the group’s work designing polymer networks and thermosets that can be selectively degraded and then repolymerized, essentially breaking down plastic material in a way that allows for its reformation into useful material. The larger goal is material circularity, which minimizes waste and environmental impact by keeping resources, like plastic, in use rather than discarding them at the end of their life.
Beyond technical skills, Choy said participating in research taught her how to think more independently.
“One thing my mentor told me that has really stayed with me is that science is only as meaningful as your ability to communicate it. Research also showed me that failure is part of the process and that real growth comes from how you respond to setbacks,” she said.
Choy said she feels very lucky to have had so many wonderful professors, mentors, and peers support her along the way. She said Professor Moore has such a warm and welcoming attitude toward students and Suslick really pushed her to take ownership of her work.
“Their mentorship made such a difference in my growth and is a big part of why I want to support others in the same way,” said Choy, who seized opportunities to get involved in other ways on campus.
She served as President and Academic Chair of the American Chemical Society chapter on campus, as well as President, Secretary, and Event Coordinator of Best Buddies, a student organization that promotes friendship, leadership, and inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Choy also served as Treasurer of Women in Chemical Sciences.
Choy also interned at Argonne National Laboratory during the summer of 2025, working to develop a closed-loop chemical recycling pathway for polyethylene waste and using it to create new polyethylene-like plastics with improved biodegradability.
“Your undergraduate experience really is what you make of it,” Choy said.
Illinois has amazing research opportunities in chemistry, she said, and there are many different student organizations to get involved in and meet new people.
“I think it's important to be proactive about seeking out opportunities, while also remembering that someone else’s achievements don't take away from your own worth. Classes can be grueling, so finding balance outside of the lecture hall or lab is just as important,” she said.
Graduating is such a surreal feeling, Choy said.
“My college experience has taught me so much about myself, and I feel so grateful for all the people I’ve met who have helped shape me into the person I am today,” she said.