Each year the Department of Chemistry acknowledges our top students in the Honors General Chemistry series, the Honors Organic Chemistry series, and the Physical Chemistry series.
The P. C. Cross Award for the top student in Physical Chemistry has been awarded to Nathan Ballinger.
Nathan Ballinger is a senior chemistry major from Redmond, Washington. For the past year, Nathan has worked in the group of Associate Professor Al Nelson creating 3D-printable gels that exhibit stimuli responsive behaviors. Nathan plans on graduating next fall and continuing research in the Nelson Lab through the duration of the year. After graduation, Nathan plans on pursuing a PhD in chemistry likely focused on materials chemistry.
The Hyp Dauben Award for the top students in Honors Organic Chemistry has been awarded to Meg Takezawa and Aaron Weaver.
Meg Takezawa is a rising junior majoring in biochemistry. For the past two years, she has been conducting research with Assistant Professor Ashleigh Theberge to integrate microfluidics to novel cell culture platforms and diagnostic tools. Meg plans to pursue a graduate degree in chemistry to study molecular mechanisms of diseases to contribute to the advancement of medicine.
Aaron Weaver is a junior majoring in chemistry. He is interested in clean and renewable energy and how chemistry can be used to develop solutions to the climate crisis. After graduating, he hopes to attend graduate school and pursue a career in physical or inorganic chemistry. Currently, Aaron is conducting research in the group of Professor David Ginger on perovskite solar cells.
The Honors General Chemistry Achievement Award for the top students in Honors General Chemistry has been awarded to Haley Parrett and Samuel Perkowski.
Haley Parrett is a first-year biochemistry major with aspirations of entering the field of genetics. She is researches with Professor Celeste Berg in the Department of Genome Sciences studying elements of Drosophila melanogaster oogenesis. Haley is also a member of the UW Women’s Rugby Club team who were league champions and competed in regionals during the 2021-2022 season.
Samuel Benjamin Perkowski is a sophomore majoring in biochemistry. He is interested in understanding the fundamentals of the biochemical pathways that our bodies use to perform vital functions. Sam is currently working in the group of the Assistant Professor Andrea Wills (Biochemistry) studying the regenerative ability of Xenopus tropicalis tadpoles. In the future, he hopes to pursue a PhD in biochemistry.
Congratulations to our top scholars!
These awards are made possible through individual philanthropy supporting undergraduate study in the Department of Chemistry. Thank you to our alumni and friends who give generously to the University of Washington.
If you have questions about giving to the University of Washington or how you can support students studying chemistry and biochemistry, please contact Diana Knight, advancement & communications manager.