Each year, the Department of Chemistry recognizes the exemplary achievements of seven graduating students during the May Convocation ceremony. All the awards were established by a gift to the department, and some are in memory of an individual. All of the awards include a $1,000 monetary gift to the recipients and recognize specific student achievements, including scholarship, research, teaching and more.
This year, six undergraduate students and one graduate student were honored as Convocation award recipients during the May 17, 2026, ceremony.
Undergraduate Awards
Jacob Strand — John C. Bailar Award for excellence in undergraduate research
Jacob Strand, the John C. Bailar Award recipient, worked in the laboratory of Prof. Walter Klemperer. Jacob is a Specialized Chemistry major who conducted undergraduate research for 2½ years on computational investigation of the temperature-dependent structural phase transitions in Keggin anion salts. He also synthesized and experimentally studied one of these salts. Prof. Klemperer praised Jacob for his strong ability to work independently, while also seeking guidance from more senior students and other faculty to advance his research. In the fall, Jacob will attend Stanford University to earn his Ph.D. in chemistry.
Shangheng Zhong — Reynold C. Fuson Award for excellence in undergraduate research
Shangheng Zhong, the Reynold C. Fuson Award recipient, worked in the laboratory of Prof. Scott Denmark, Fuson Professor of Chemistry. Zhong is a Specialized Chemistry major who conducted research for over two years in the area of synthetic organic chemistry, specifically, the copper(II)-bisoxazoline-catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of 3-substituted 1,4-oxazepanes. Denmark said that Zhong is open to constructive criticism, eager to learn practical laboratory and analytical methods while always respecting safety considerations and shows tenacity and resilience in his desire to improve synthetic protocols. After graduation, Zhong will continue his research on a post-baccalaureate basis for a year, with the intention to earn his Ph.D. in chemistry.
Yi Yang — Carl S. Marvel Award for excellence in undergraduate research
Yi Yang, the Carl S. Marvel Award recipient, worked in the laboratory of Prof. Wilfred van der Donk. Yang is a Specialized Chemistry major who has done his undergraduate research for three years on chemical approaches to studying and modulating lanthipeptide biosynthesis. His research has included small molecule synthesis, solid-phase peptide synthesis, expression and purification of enzymes, and enzymatic assays. He is coauthor of two peer-reviewed research publications in the van der Donk lab, with another forthcoming. Prof. van der Donk said Yi is among the best undergraduates ever in his lab with regard to commitment, resilience, and intellectual ability. In the fall, Yi will attend the University of Chicago to earn his Ph.D. in chemistry.
Lucia Urbain — Dr. Eugene Kent Borchart Memorial Award in Chemistry for an outstanding graduating senior in chemistry
Lucia Urbain, recipient of the Dr. Eugene Kent Borchart Memorial Award in Chemistry, was nominated by Prof. Lisa Olshansky. Lucia is a Specialized Chemistry major who conducted research for a year and a half developing and characterizing photoswitchable copper complexes for applications in solar energy conversion, and she will be coauthor on an upcoming publication. Prof. Olshansky describes Lucia as one of the most hard-working and determined scholars she has ever known. After graduation, Lucia intends to apply to Ph.D. programs to continue her scientific career.
Kenneth Chen — Worth H. Rodebush Award for academic merit
Kenneth Chen, the Worth H. Rodebush Award recipient, worked in the lab of Prof. Paul Hergenrother. A Specialized Chemistry major, Chen participated in undergraduate research for over three years, synthesizing complex and diverse compounds from adrenosterone, seeking compounds that stimulate immune cell infiltration into tumors. As noted by Prof. Hergenrother, Kenneth demonstrated considerable proficiency in learning the new skills and techniques required for his synthetic work, and he showed the capacity to go beyond what is observed from a typical undergraduate researcher. Chen is still determining exactly what career path he will pursue after graduation.
Nikhil Cowart — John David Barnwell Memorial Award
This year, the John David Barnwell Memorial Award recipient was nominated by Prof. Anastasia Manesis and is Nikhil Cowart. Prof. Manesis notes that Niku was a founding member of her laboratory when she joined the Illinois Chemistry faculty in Fall 2023. As a BSLAS major, Cowart is proficient with a wide range of bioinorganic and biochemical techniques, including protein expression, heme assays, protein crystallography, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. He is coauthor of an upcoming manuscript based on his research, and in the fall, he will attend Ohio State University to earn his Ph.D. in chemistry. In addition to his academic and research achievements, Cowart is greatly involved with the chemistry student group REACT (Reaching and Educating America's Chemists of Tomorrow), leading chemistry demonstrations for elementary school students. Last year he studied abroad in Paris, where he was a Teaching Assistant for an English class at a culinary/hospitality school. He avidly plays both tennis and piano, and in April, he completed his first marathon in Champaign-Urbana. His marathon time was well under 4 hours. Cowart's all-around achievements in the classroom, research laboratory, and the world beyond exemplify the life of John David Barnwell, in whose memory this award is founded.
Graduate Student Award
Blake Ocampo — P3 Medal for Graduate Research Excellence
This year’s recipient of the ACS Presidential P3 Medal was nominated by his advisor Prof. Scott Denmark and is Blake Ocampo. In his Ph.D. studies, Ocampo developed a computational chemoinformatics workflow to improve the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation reaction, which included collaborative work with an experimental colleague to validate his model. Ocampo also worked with the Process Research group at Hoffmann-La Roche in Basel, Switzerland, to discover new ligands for the Buchwald-Hartwig C–N coupling reaction, again collaborating with experimentalists (including spending three months in Basel) to extend and refine his modeling. Throughout his Ph.D. studies, Ocampo has exemplified the key partnership aspect of the P3 Medal. After graduation, Ocampo will be doing postdoctoral research, with the longer-term goal of an industrial position that uses his expertise in both organic chemistry and artificial intelligence and machine learning.