Alumni
Former Participants
Since its inception in 1987, the NSF-sponsored KU Chemistry REU Program has hosted over 300 undergraduates from Universities & Colleges across the US. They've been joined by numerous undergraduate researchers from KU and other schools.
Scroll down for information about each summer cohort.
2024 Participants
| Name/Funding | School | Mentor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braden Allphin NSF CHE-2349329 | Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS | Steve Soper | Pursuing PhD in Biochemistry at Kansas State U. (starting FA25) |
| Roberto Aponte NSF CHE-2349329 | Pontifical Catholic University, Ponce PR | Jon Tunge | |
| Chase Courbot | University of Kansas | Chris Elles | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at NC State (starting FA25) |
| Audrey Davis NSF CHE-2349329 | Drury University, Springfield, MO | Ward Thompson | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at Purdue University |
| Dylan Ford NSF CHE‐1950293 | Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA | Tim Jackson | Research Assoc. Synoligo Biotech, North Carolina. |
| Emily Gordon NSF CHE-2349329 | Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO | Cindy Berrie | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at KU (starting FA25) |
| Sophie Juliana NSF CHE-2349329 | Lindenwood University, St. Charles, MO | Meredith Hartley | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at KU (starting FA25) |
| Birendra Karki | Maryville University, St. Louis, MO | Chris Elles | |
| Mike Kim (Landgrebe Scholarship) | University of Kansas | Heather Desaire | Senior at KU |
| Jonah Ludiker | University of Kansas | Brian Laird | Senior at KU |
| Darya Moiny | University of Kansas | Rachael Farber | Senior at KU |
| Trisha Nair | University of Kansas | Rebecca Whelan | Pursuing MD (starting FA25) |
| Neel Patel NSF CHE-2349329 | University of Tennessee, Chattanooga | Rachael Farber | |
| Jeshua Ruiz NIH U-RISE (5 T34 GM 145525-02) | University of Puerto Rico, Humacao | Aaron Teator | |
| Rene Sabala NSF CHE-2349329 | California State University, Chico | Misha Barybin | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at KU (starting FA25) |
| Ibrahim Sufi | University of Kansas | Ward Thompson | Senior at KU |
| Colleen Thach | University of Kansas | James Blakemore | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at Brown U. (starting FA25) |
| Aidan Thomas NSF CHE-2349329 | Mid‐America Nazarene University, Olathe KS | James Blakemore | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at KU (starting FA25) |
| Karissa Wilson NSF CHE-2349329 | Bethel College, North Newton, KS | Michael Johnson |
2023 Participants
| Name/Funding | School | Mentor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broxterman, Claire 2112707‐906 | Bethel College, North Newton KS | Paul Hanson | Pursuing MD at KU-Wichita starting Fall 2025 |
| Elliott, Ashlynn NSF CHE‐1950293 | State University, Lake Charles LA | Meredith Hartley | Pursuing PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at KU |
| Ferris, Bridget NSF CHE‐1950293 | Austin College, Sherman TX | Ward Thompson | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at Washington U. in St. Louis |
| Fore, Kathryn NSF CHE‐1950293 | Le Tourneau University, Longview TX | Rachael Farber | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at Florida State U. |
| Graf, Gabriel NSF CHE‐1950293 | Austin College, Sherman TX | Tim Jackson | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at Duke University |
| Herrera, Gabriella NSF CHE‐1950293 | Southwestern College, Winfield, KS | Rebecca Whelan | Research Assistant at UT Southwestern Medical Center |
| Kearney, Jodie 2112703‐906 | Dublin City University, Dublin Ireland | Mike Johnson | |
| Lin, Tan NSF CHE‐1950293 | Appalachian State University, Boone NC | Jon Tunge | |
| Moro, Nathalie NSF CHE‐1950293 | Cameron University, Lawton OK | Cindy Berrie | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at Baylor University |
| Oyebadejo, Anjolaoluwa (Favour) 2112719 & Richter Grant (Hanover) | Hannover College, Hanover IN | Minae Mure | |
| Paranjothi, Cecilia Landgrebe Scholarship | University of Kansas, Lawrence KS | James Blakemore | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at CalTech (starting FA25) |
| Shippy, Reagan 2112008‐099 | University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg MO | James Blakemore | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at KU (starting FA25) |
| Surtan, Javan NSF CHE‐1950293 | Mid‐America Nazarene University, Olathe KS | Steve Soper | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at KU (starting FA25) |
| Weghorn, Carben NSF CHE‐1950293 | University of Wisconsin—La Crosse, La Crosse W | Misha Barybin | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at KU (starting FA25) |
| Will, Matthew NSF CHE‐1950293 | John Brown University, Siloam Springs, AR | Aaron Teator | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at Duke University |
2022 Participants
| Name/Funding | School | Mentor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eleazar Abraham Landgrebe Scholarship | University of Kansas, Lawrence KS | Teruna Siahaan | Pursuing PhD in Cancer Biology & Genomics at U. Southern California |
| Jaina Bemis NSF CHE-1950293 | Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau MO | Aaron Teator | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill |
| Claire Broxterman NSF CHE-1950293 | Bethel College, North Newton KS | Paul Hanson | Pursing MD at KU-Wichita starting Fall 2025 |
| Nathanael (Ian) Campbell NSF CHE-1950293 | Hendrix College, Conway AR | Ward Thompson | Software Developer |
| Michel Evertsen NSF CHE-1950293 | Grand View University, Des Moines IA | Meredith Hartley | Inside Sales Manager at Eurofins Nutritional Analysis Center (Des Moines, IA) |
| Brian Faintich Landgrebe Scholarship | University of Kansas, Lawrence KS | Marco Caricato | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at U. Chicago |
| Natalie Lind NSF CHE-1950293 | Fort Lewis College, Durango CO | James Blakemore | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at University of Kansas |
| Brandon Nguyen | University of Kansas, Lawrence KS | Tim Jackson | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at UC Berkeley (starting Fall 2025) |
| Kelise Reddish NSF CHE-1950293 | Clayton State University, Morrow GA | Misha Barybin | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at University of Kansas |
| Russell Rhoads NSF CHE-1950293 | University of St. Mary, Leavenworth KS | Heather Desaire | Staff Scientist at ARA (Albuquerque, NM) |
| Audrey Rips‐Goodwin KINBRE Fellowship | University of Kansas, Lawrence KS | Lisa Sharpe‐Elles/Tera Fazzino | Pursuing PhD in Computational Neuroscience at Washington U (St. Louis) |
| Ian Smith NSF CHE-1950293 | Bradley University, Peoria IL | Jon Tunge | Research Technician at Midwest Bioprocessing Center (Peoria, IL) |
| Isabel Solowiej NSF CHE-1950293 | Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH | Paul Hanson | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at University of Michigan |
| Jamie Somers | Dublin City University, Dublin Ireland | Chris Elles | Third year Applied Physics major at DCU |
| Nyla Weatherington NSF CHE-1950293 | Alabama State University, Montgomery AL | Steven Soper | HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. Plans to be a pediatrician. |
| Gavin Wolfmule NSF CHE-1950293 | University of Kansas, Lawrence KS | Sue Lunte | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at Purdue University |
2021 Participants
| Name/Funding | School | Mentor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bartlett, Elizabeth NSF CHE-1950293 | College of Saint Benedict St. Joseph Minnesota | Ward Thompson | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at University of Kansas |
| Benitez, Gabriel NSF CHE-1950293 | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction Colorado | James Blakemore | Pursuing PhD in Applied Chemistry at Colorado School of Mines |
| Campbell, Nicholas NSF CHE-1950293 | Georgia College & State University Milledgeville Georgia | Meredith Hartley | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at University of Florida |
| Castaneda, Robert | University of Kansas Lawrence Kansas | Chris Elles | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at University of North Carolina |
| Chua, Aleesa NSF CHE-1950293 | Colorado College Colorado Springs Colorado | Heather Desaire | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at University of Kansas |
| Cosner, Emma Landgrebe Scholarship | University of Kansas Lawrence Kansas | James Blakemore | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at CalTech |
| Dopp, Claire Beckman Scholarship | University of Kansas Lawrence Kansas | James Blakemore | MS Chemistry 2024 (University of Rochester) |
| Faintich, Brian Landgrebe Scholarship | University of Kansas Lawrence Kansas | Misha Barybin | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at University of Chicago |
| Foley, Mac | Newman University Wichita Kansas | Carey Johnson | Planning to attend Dental School |
| Gideon, Anthony NSF CHE-1950293 | Clayton State University Morrow Georgia | Misha Barybin | Biochemist at Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories - Planning PhD studies starting Fall 2024. |
| Goeks, Julia NSF CHE-1950293 | Ripon College Ripon Wisconsin | Chris Elles | MS Materials Science & Engineering (2023) U. Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
| Gordon, Mattalyn NSF CHE-1950293 | University of Central Arkansas Conway Arkansas | Steven Soper | MS Chemistry (2025) University of Kansas |
| Lininger, Alec NSF CHE-1560279 | Rockhurst University Kansas City Missouri | Paul Hanson | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at University of Kansas |
| McEntee, Caitlin NSF0077087 | Northwest Missouri State University Maryville Missouri | David Weis | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at University of Kansas |
| Noga, Sarah Beckman Scholarship | University of Kansas Lawrence Kansas | Joanna Slusky | Seeking PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering - University of Wisconsin-Madison |
| Sanford, Grace NSF CHE-1560279 | University of Saint Mary Leavenworth Kansas | Tim Jackson | Pursuing JD at Washburn University School of Law |
| Smith, Emma NSF CHE-1950293 | Bethel University Saint Paul Minnesota | Jon Tunge | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at Yale University |
2019 Participants
| Name/Funding | School | Mentor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide, Darragh NIH NIGMS P20GM1000372 / Hamilton Access Scholarshop & DCU/KU Lunte Prgm 2112703 | Dublin City University, Dublin Ireland | Mei He | County Councilor, Dublin |
| Anderson, Micah NSF- CHEM 1560279 | Jackson State University, Jackson Mississippi | James Blakemore | PharmD (2024) UMKC |
| Barybin, Anton Adams KUEA 32373-CLASDP0006 | University of Kansas, Lawrence Kansas | Sue Lunte | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at MIT |
| Gonzalez, Phasin NSF-CHEM 1560279 | Stetson University, Deland Florida | Steven Soper | MD (2024) |
| Feden, Lauren NSF-CHEM 1560279 | Hastings College, Hastings Nebraska | Misha Barybin | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at University of Minnesota |
| Grande, Ashley NSF-CHEM | University of Kansas, Lawrence Kansas | David Weis | Scientist at Simtra BioPharma Solutions (Bloomington, IN) |
| Hendricks, Dylan NSF-CHEM 1710613 & NSF-CHEM 1560279 | Northwestern College, Orange City Iowa | Carey Johnson | MS (2023) U. Iowa College of Public Health |
| Hessefort, Logan NSF-CHEM 1560279 | University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg Missouri | Tim Jackson | PhD Chemistry (2025) Arizona State U. - Currently Founder of Stealth Startup. |
| Hunt, Christian NSF-CHEM 1560279 | Southern Nazarene University, Bethany Oklahoma | Cindy Berrie | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at Oklahoma State U. |
| Joseph, Khayla NSF-CHEM 1560279 | Tabor College, Hillsboro Kansas | Kristin Bowman-James | Research Technician at UT Southwestern Med. Ctr. |
| Landry, Patrick NSF-CHEM 1560279 | Louisiana Tech University, Ruston Louisiana | Ward Thompson | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
| Lynam, Delaney NSF-CHEM 1560279 | Northwest Missouri State, Maryville Missouri | Marco Caricato | Pursuing master's in music performance at University of Nebraska - Omaha |
| McQuillan, Tara NSF-CHEM 1560279 | University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth Kansas | Jon Tunge | PhD in Neuroscience (2025) University of Kansas Medical Center |
| Negron, Samantha NSF-CHEM 1560279 | California State University, San Marcos California | Sue Lunte | |
| Nguyen, Tyler DCU/KU Lunte Exchange Program 2112703 | University of Kansas, Lawrence Kansas | Blanaid White | |
| Plouch, Eleda NSF-CHEM 1560279 | Hope College, Holland Michigan | Paul Hanson | PhD Chemistry (2025) Emory University. Currently Patent Scientific Advisor at Smith Gambrell Russell |
| Snyder, Alexa NSF-CHEM 1710613 & NSF-CHEM 1560613 | Augustana University, Sioux Falls South Dakota | Carey Johnson | PhD Biochemistry (2025) Emory U. School of Medicine |
| Stiel, Jonah KU Beckman Scholars Award 1000900 | University of Kansas, Lawrence Kansas | James Blakemore | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at UC Irvine |
| Super, Jon Salary Release Funds 2112009-099 | University of Kansas, Lawrence Kansas | Jon Tunge | Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at UNC Chapel Hill |
| Vander Laan, Katherine NSF-CHEM | University of Kansas, Lawrence Kansas | Marco Caricato |
2017 Participants
| Name/Funding | School | Mentor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arvidson, Jacob | University of Kansas, Lawrence KS | Misha Barybin | PhD Chemistry (2023)- University of North Texas. |
| Borkowski, Ashley | Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville GA | Cindy Berrie | PhD Chemistry (2023) University of Kansas - Currently Postdoc at Argonne National Lab |
| Craven, Mark | Dublin City University, Dublin Ireland | Kristin Bowman-James | PhD Pharm. Chem. (2024) - University of Kansas - Current - postdoc at KUMC |
| Davis, Cara (Loomis) | University of Kansas, Lawrence KS | Audrey Lamb | PhD Biol. Chem. (2024) U. Michigan Medical School |
| Eades, Austin | Fort Lewis College, Durango CO | Michael Rubin | PhD Cancer Biology (2024) U. Kansas Medical Center |
| Gavin, Sarah | University of Kansas, Lawrence KS | Hui Zhao | BS Physics (2018), University of Kansas |
| Guadalupe, Karina | California State University, San Marcos CA | Carey Johnson | PhD Biochemistry (2025) - University of California, Merced |
| Harmon, Whitney | University of Kansas, Lawrence KS | Chris Elles | PhD Chemistry (2023) University of Iowa - Current Postdoc at Lawrence Livermore National Lab |
| Keister, Mattea (Miller) | University of Kansas, Lawrence KS | Lisa Timmons | MD (2024) Johns Hopkins SOM. |
| King, Daniel | St. Olaf College, Northfield MN | James Blakemore | MS (2020) U. Minnesota; PhD Chemistry (2024) U. Chicago |
| Lorenzo, Emmaline | University of Kansas, Lawrence KS | Brian Kelleher (DCU) | PhD Chemistry (2023) Northwestern U. |
| Maldonado, David | University of Texas Permian Basin, Odessa TX | Misha Barybin | |
| Neal, Treavor | Westminster College, Fulton MO | Brian Laird | Pursuing BS in Aeronautial Engineering - M.U.S.T |
| Rivera, Travis | Worcester State University, Worcester MA | Tim Jackson | R&D Technician at Incom Corporation, Boston area |
| Kyler, Ross | Southern Nazarene University, Bethany OK | Caricato/Kuczera | Laboratory Technician at Versum Materials in Broken Arrow OK |
| Schoneich, Sonia | University of Kansas, Lawrence KS | Sue Lunte | PhD Chemistry (2023) University of Washington |
| Stewart-Jones, Eleanor | University of Kansas, Lawrence KS | Tim Jackson | PhD Chemistry (2025) Yale University |
| Uhlir, Rachel | University of Mary, Bismarck ND | Yong Zeng | MS Chemistry (2021) St. Louis University |
| Vasquez, Bryan | University of Kansas, Lawrence KS | Mario Rivera | Senior Assoc. Scientist at Catalent Pharma Solutions |
| Walker, Nicole | Western Illinois University, Macomb IL | Michael Johnson | Seeking PhD in Chemistry - University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill |
| Wood, Zachary | University of Kansas, Lawrence KS | Misha Barybin | PhD Chemistry (2024) U. Southern California. Current: Senior Analytical Scientist at DOD Technologies |