The School of Molecular Sciences degree programs have opened access to students from a wide range of diverse backgrounds, and who have followed quite different pathways into academia. We are proud of our students and their successes, here are some of their stories. We look forward to you joining them and the rest of our community as a chemistry or biochemistry degree student.
Student Profiles
Cade Duckworth
BS Biochemistry and Neuroscience
Class of 2023
ASU Online student accepted into PhD program to pursue computational molecular dynamics
Aman Garg
BS Biochemistry
Class of 2023
ASU graduate lives lessons of leadership, community on path to medical school
Lauren Harstad
BS Chemistry and Biological sciences
Class of 2023
Madeleine Zheng
BS Biochemistry & Asian languages (Chinese)
Class of 2023
Chloe Leff
BS Biochemistry
Class of 2024
ASU honors student awarded Goldwater Scholarship for excellence in STEM
Kristen Krip
BS Biochemistry
Class of 2023
Kyle Polen
BS Biochemistry
Class of 2023
ASU graduate focuses on intersection of culture, community health
Eva Chen
BS Biochemistry
Class of 2023
ASU School of Molecular Sciences graduate passionate about biochemistry, awarded Dean's Medal
Lakeisha Ramona Brown
BS Biochemistry
Class of 2022
ASU graduate sets sights on cancer research
Ruwaida Jaylani Abshir
BS medicinal biochemistry
Class of 2022
Graduate overcomes barriers for community 
Claire Cerniglia
BS Biochemistry
Class of 2022
Important life lessons learned at ASU Dean's Medal
Eva Chen
Class of 2023
Major: Biochemistry
Accomplishments: ASU honors student Eva Chen is graduating in May with a B.S. in biochemistry and prestigious Dean’s Medal in honor of her scholastic achievements. Eva Chen is currently conducting research in Dr. Nicholas Stephanopoulos’ lab. She plans to attend Columbia University and obtain a PhD in Biomedical Sciences.
Holly Hemesath
Class of 2022
Major: Biochemistry
Accomplishments: Hemesath discovered coding as a first-year student in ASU’s School of Molecular Sciences and her math program but quickly moved to develop her own codes for molecular simulations and is now fully invested in the field of computational chemistry. Hemesath is a Barrett, The Honors College student and George M. Bateman Memorial Scholarship winner (fall 2020 and spring 2021) as well as the Therald Moeller Scholarship recipient for fall 2022.
Aaron Jafar Hernandez Flores
Class of 2022
Major: Chemistry
Accomplishments: During his time at ASU, he worked in the Anbar/METAL supergroup for three years as a student researcher and rapidly evolved into an advanced researcher performing beyond the capability of many graduate researchers. In January 2022, Flores was awarded the Safety Award for all of the School of Eartha and Space Exploration and in Fall 2021 received a Western Alliance to Expand Student Opportunities grant.
Michael Sauer
Class of 2021
Major: Biochemistry and computational mathematical sciences
Accomplishments: During his time at ASU, he conducted research with Professor Mark Hayes on dielectrophoretic particle capture and bolus sequestration of COVID-19 particles in a microfluidic device. For his outstanding contributions, he has won a number of awards and scholarships from SMS.
Ellen Streitwieser
Class of 2021
Major: Biochemistry
Accomplishments: Ellen is an ASU Online student interested in the field of neuroscience and advocating for women in science. She is the founder and president of the Inclusion, Diversity, Education, Advocacy in Science (IDEAS) Student Society, one of the largest student organizations at ASU with over 600 active members.
Elinor Sauer
Class of 2020
Majors: Chemistry (environmental) & biological sciences
Accomplishments: She is a Moeur Award winner, received two prestigious scholarships from the SMS, and a recipient of the NASA space grant fellowship. Sauer was in John Nagy’s research team focusing on the North American pika and worked in Professor Hilairy Hartnett’s Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics lab.
Madeleine Howell
Class of 2020
Major: Chemistry
Accomplishments: Howell has been extensively involved in undergraduate research at ASU in the interfaces of materials chemistry and health and co-authored several peer-reviewed, published papers. She is a Goldwater Scholarship recipient and was awarded the ACS Divisions of Physical Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry awards from the SMS.
Carolyn Clark
Class of 2019
Major: Biochemistry
Accomplishments: A recipient of the research-focused LEAP Scholarship for transfer students, Clark worked on a Mayo Clinic-funded project involving the synthesis of peptides and another project that aimed to develop artificial amino acids alongside Professor Giovanna Ghirlanda.
Zoe Liberman-Martin
Class of 2019
Major: Chemistry
Accomplishments: Liberman-Martin exited high school planning to become a professional musician. But after earning her associate degree in music and working as an EMT, she landed at ASU. Faculty members praise Liberman-Martin’s natural curiosity, analytical ability, and enthusiasm.
Alexis Ramirez
Class of 2018
Major: Biochemistry (medicinal chemistry)
Accomplishments: As a student in Barrett, The Honors College at ASU, his honors thesis focused on developing a dielectrophoretic method to separate gold nanoparticles.
Jonathan Vie
Class of 2017
Major: Biochemistry
Accomplishments: Vie joined the Marine Corps to help pay for college and has since discovered his passion for teaching. He has been a tutor for high school students while pursuing his degree and is dedicated to helping young students grow in the STEM fields within the Phoenix area.
Patrick Almhjell
Class of 2017
Major: Biochemistry
Accomplishments: Almhjell conducted research in Professor Jeremy Mills’s biochemistry lab and Professor M. Foster Olive’s psychology lab, where he would investigate amino acids and behavioral neuroscience. He maintained a perfect GPA as an honors student and served as a teaching assistant for upper-division chemistry and psychology courses.
Havell Markus
Class of 2016
Majors: Biochemistry, Mathematics
Accomplishments: Markus conducted extensive research as a Helios Scholar in the Center for Noninvasive Diagnostics at the Translational Genomics Research Center and multiple labs at ASU. His research and thesis work were presented in four conferences and resulted in a first author publication in the Journal of Young Investigators.
Sahba Zaare
Class of 2016
Major: Biochemistry
Accomplishments: Zaare was engaged in undergraduate research in the Center for Personalized Diagnostics at the Biodesign Institute. His first publication was accepted by the Journal of Visualized Experiments and he was the recipient of the Hypercube Award and the Merck Index Award.
Hallie Sussman
Class of 2015
Major: Biochemistry
Accomplishments: Sussman worked in Professor Neal Woodbury’s laboratory at the Biodesign Institute on projects involving photosynthetic reaction centers as part of her honors thesis. She is expected to be a co-author on at least one of the papers that result from the research and is the recipient of the SMS Biochemistry Award.
Goldwater
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 to serve as a living memorial to honor the lifetime work of Senator Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years in the U.S. Senate. By providing scholarships to college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering, the Goldwater Foundation is helping ensure that the U.S. is producing the number of highly-qualified professionals the Nation needs in these critical fields.
2024: Chloe Leff
Field of Study: Biochemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in immunology and conduct medical research pertaining to disease treatments, particularly cancer.
Read her story
2022: Lauren Harstad
Field of Study: Chemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. Planning to pursue a research career in the pharmaceutical industry.
Read her story
2020: Tal Sneh
Field of Study: Biochemistry and Physics;
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. Apply nanotechnology as a professor at a university to develop affordable tools that address diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in the field.
Read his story
2020: Alexis Hocken
Field of Study: Chemical engineering with a minor in biochemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. Conduct research in nanomaterials for biomedical applications.
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2019: Madeleine Howell
Field of Study: Chemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Physical and Biological Chemistry. Develop technologies for ultrafast and non-invasive imaging to answer fundamental biological and chemical questions as research faculty at a university.
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2018: Meilin Zhu
Field of Study: Biochemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Biological Engineering. Conduct research in global health engineering with an emphasis on point of care technologies and teach at a university.
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2018: Humza Zubair
Field of Study: Biochemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in biochemistry and biological sciences. Teach and conduct research to advance scientific knowledge.
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2014: Ryan Yue Muller
Major(s): Biochemistry, Molecular/Cellular Biology
Career Goals: Ph.D. in Synthetic Biology. Conduct research in biotechnology and teach at the university level.
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2011: John Benjamin Ingraham
Major(s): Biochemistry, Applied Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Computational Biology. Conduct research in genetic and cell regulatory processes and teach at the university level.
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2011: Michael James Kenney
Major(s): Chemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Chemistry. Conduct research in solar energy and teach at a university.
Read his story
2011: Erik Stout
Major(s): Biochemistry, Economics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Conduct research in spinal cord regeneration and neuronal plasticity or brain- machine interfacing.
Read his story
2009: Joshua Ryan Niska
Major(s): Biochemistry
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Cancer Biology. Conduct cancer research in both laboratory and clinical settings, and teach at the university/medical school level.
2009: Charles Benjamin Strauber
Major(s): Biochemistry/Linguistics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Conduct research on the neural bases of language, learning, and development, and teach at the university level.
2008: Charlene Bashore
Major(s): Biochemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Chemical Biology. Conduct research in biomedical science, particularly cancer research.
2008: Lara Cardy
Major(s): Biochemistry/Speech and Hearing
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Teach at the university level and conduct research regarding the neurological underpinnings of developmental disorders, specifically Autism Spectrum Disorders.
2006: James J. Cronican
Major(s): Biochemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Conduct research work on uncharacterized proteins, detailing the fundamental principles of enzyme catalysis for the purpose of applying this knowledge to address needs that exist now or in the future.
2006: Shannon P. Fortin
Major(s): Biochemistry
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Biochemistry/Computational Mathematics. Conduct research with an emphasis in cancer cell biology, integrating a clinical perspective.
Award Recipients
2023-2024
2023 Scholarships
George M. Bateman Memorial Scholarship | Robert Tobin, Chemistry
Therald Moeller Scholarship | Charlene Bernabe,
Biochemistry
Wayne W. Luchsinger Chemistry Scholarship | Rafael Ilang-Ilang,
Biochemistry
John Holloway Undergraduate Scholarship | Ronald Johnson, Chemistry
Edward B. Skibo Memorial Scholarship | Charles Howell, Chemistry
Arizona Society for Coatings Technology Scholarship | Annalise Stohr, Biochemistry
Ted Brown Memorial Scholarship | Jy’Zaree Barney, Biochemistry
SMS First Generation Scholarship | Natali Ruiz-Payan,
Biochemistry
SMS Veterans Scholarship | Matheus Santos Clorado Chuba,
Biochemistry
SMS Scholarship | Rylee James,
Chemistry
SMS Scholarship | Solomon Leatherwood, Biochemistry
SMS Women in Science Scholarship | Amy Cai, Biochemistry
SMS Women in Science Scholarship | Olivia Holman, Biochemistry (Medicinal)
Martin Hudson Scholarship | Eric Do, Biochemistry (Medicinal)
2023 Awards
Spring 2023 SMS Dean’s Medalist | Eva Chen, Biochemistry
Distinguished Biochemistry Merit Award | Kyle Polen, Biochemistry
Distinguished Chemistry Merit Award | Lauren Harstad, Chemistry
SAACS Organic Achievement Award | Faith Youkhana,
Biochemistry
ACS Analytical Chemistry Undergraduate Award | Lourdes Loera, Chemistry (Environmental Chemistry)
ACS Division of Organic Chemistry Undergraduate Award | Hyung Ji Lee, Chemistry
ACS Division of Inorganic Chemistry Undergraduate Award | Elizabeth March,
Chemistry (Environmental Chemistry)
ACS Division of Physical Chemistry Undergraduate Award | Jase Lehfeldt, Chemistry
2023 Goldwater Scholarship | Chloe Leff, Biochemistry; Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology
2022-2023
2022 Scholarships
George M. Bateman Memorial Scholarship | Bailey Holmes, Chemistry
Therald Moeller Scholarship | Holly Hemesath,
Biochemistry
Wayne W. Luchsinger Chemistry Scholarship | Viktoriya Looper,
Biochemistry
John Holloway Undergraduate Scholarship | Ikumi Ellis, Chemistry (Environmental)
Edward B. Skibo Memorial Scholarship | Andrew Garcia, Biochemistry
Arizona Society for Coatings Technology Scholarship | Bryan Lau, Chemistry
Ted Brown Memorial Scholarship | Odino Kesse Amedjrovi, Biochemistry
SMS First Generation Scholarship | Aleaha Evans,
Biochemistry
SMS Veterans Scholarship | Michael Steiger,
Biochemistry
SMS Scholarship | Aidan McClure,
Chemistry (Environmental)
Martin Hudson Scholarship | Riley Seminara, Biochemistry
2022 Awards
Spring 2022 SMS Dean’s Medalist | Aaron Jafar Hernandez Flores, Chemistry
Distinguished Biochemistry Merit Award | Edgar Ferrer, Biochemistry (Medicinal)
Distinguished Biochemistry Merit Award | Kira Devore, Biochemistry (Medicinal)
Distinguished Chemistry Merit Award | Paul Oftedahl, Chemistry
SAACS Organic Achievement Award | Garrett Storey, Chemistry
ACS Division of Organic Chemistry Undergraduate Award | Christopher O'Connor, Chemistry
ACS Division of Inorganic Chemistry Undergraduate Award | Nadya Soekardono, Chemistry
Royal Society of Chemistry Certificate of Excellence | Emil Ljunberg, Biochemistry
2022 Goldwater Scholarship | Lauren Harstad, Chemistry
2021-2022
Scholarships
George M. Bateman Memorial Scholarship | Rylee James, Chemistry
Therald Moeller Scholarship | Miriam Goras,
Biochemistry
Wayne W. Luchsinger Chemistry Scholarship | Ryan Korinek,
Biochemistry
John Holloway Undergraduate Scholarship | Gabriella Cerna, Biochemistry
Edward B. Skibo Memorial Scholarship | Lauren Harstad, Chemistry
Arizona Society for Coatings Technology Scholarship | Ethan Kelly Padilla, Biochemistry
Ted Brown Memorial Scholarship | Hilary Simpson, Biochemistry (Medicinal Chem)
SMS Women in Science Scholarship | Kristen Krip,
Biochemistry
SMS First Generation Scholarship | Missy Tran,
Biochemistry
SMS Veterans Scholarship | Cory Smith,
Biochemistry
SMS Scholarship | Chloe Gallello,
Biochemistry (Medicinal Chem)
Awards
Spring 2021 SMS Dean’s Medalist | Ellen Streitwieser, Biochemistry
Distinguished Biochemistry Merit Award | Jack St. Peter, Biochemistry
Distinguished Chemistry Merit Award | Cole Graham, Chemistry (Environmental)
SAACS Organic Achievement Award | Ahlea Reyes, Chemical Engineering
ACS Division of Organic Chemistry Undergraduate Award | Bryan Ugaz, Biochemistry
ACS Division of Inorganic Chemistry Undergraduate Award | Madeline Alzamora, Chemistry
Royal Society of Chemistry Certificate of Excellence | Waris Anderson, Biochemistry
2020-2021
Scholarships
George M. Bateman Memorial Scholarship | Holly Hemesath, Biochemistry
Therald Moeller Scholarship | Bryan Ugaz, Biochemistry
Wayne W. Luchsinger Chemistry Scholarship | Tia Swenty, Biochemistry
John Holloway Undergraduate Scholarship | Elinor Sauer, Chemistry (Environmental)
Edward B. Skibo Memorial Scholarship | Tal Sneh, Biochemistry (Medicinal Chemistry)
Goldwater Scholarship | Tal Sneh, Biochemistry (Medicinal Chemistry)
Arizona Society for Coatings Technology Scholarship | Brian Clark, Chemistry
Ted Brown Memorial Scholarship | Sam Bakotich, Biochemistry
SMS Women in Science Scholarship | Madeleine Zheng, Biochemistry
SMS Women in Science Scholarship | Madeline Alzamora, Chemistry
SMS Women in Science Scholarship | Elle Streitweiser, Biochemistry
SMS First Generation Scholarship | Jesus Peralta, Biochemistry
SMS Veterans Scholarship | Anthony Pacheco, Biochemistry
SMS Scholarship | David Reed, Biochemistry
Awards
Spring 2020 SMS Dean’s Medalist | Madeleine Howell, Chemistry
Fall 2020 SMS Dean’s Medalist | Elinor Sauer, Chemistry (Environmental)
Distinguished Biochemistry Merit Award | Sabrina Leung, Biochemistry
Distinguished Biochemistry Merit Award | Alexis Nichols, Biochemistry (Medicinal Chemistry)
Distinguished Biochemistry Merit Award | Paul Turack, Biochemistry
Distinguished Chemistry Merit Award | David Flesher, Chemistry
SAACS Organic Achievement Award | Anne Mcdaniel, Biochemistry
ACS Division of Organic Chemistry Undergraduate Award | Ellen Streitwieser, Biochemistry
ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry Undergraduate Award | William Knight, Chemistry (Environmental)
ACS Division of Inorganic Chemistry Undergraduate Award | Matthew Duplissa, Chemistry
ACS Division of Physical Chemistry Undergraduate Award | Brock Leland, Chemistry
Royal Society of Chemistry Certificate of Excellence | Holly Hemesath, Biochemistry