Wenqing Zhu receives 2026 Dr. Sandra Murawski Award for Mentoring Excellence

Head shot of Wenqing Zhu
 As a chemistry major at Nanjing University in China, Wenqing Zhu was mentored by a Ph.D. student who helped her develop technical research skills but also taught Zhu how to manage her time, how to consistently read scientific literature and how to network with others.“I benefited so much from...

RSC undergraduate excellence awards: Jacob Strand and Yi Yang

Strand and Yang in graduation regalia on an orange Block I background
Two senior undergraduates in chemistry, Jacob Strand and Yi Yang, have been selected as the 2026 recipients of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC, United Kingdom) Certificate of Undergraduate Excellence Award.The RSC awards recognize students who have excelled in the chemical sciences and...

Jonathan Bajko, the 2026 Gary Schuster Mentoring Scholarship recipient

Head shot of Jonathan Bajko
Graduate student Jonathan Bajko was one of the first Ph.D. students to join the research group of Joomyung “Vicky” Jun, who joined the Illinois Chemistry faculty in August 2024.“From day one, he had to be a mentor,” Jun wrote in her nomination of Bajko for a mentoring award. “Johnny has played a...

T.S. Piper Award goes to Jubyeong Chae for Outstanding Inorganic Ph.D.

Head shot of Jubyeong Chae.
 When Jubyeong Chae decided to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry, he said he wanted to do more research and take on new challenges with great faculty members and colleagues.Working under the advisement of Prof. Liviu Mirica, Chae has explored new challenges as a graduate student in his research...

Vito Failla looking forward to medical school

Head shot of 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...

Sky is the limit for Michaela Klein

head shot of 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...
Subscribe to