Meet the 2025 Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars
The Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars Program pairs promising undergraduates with research mentors — graduate students, postdocs, and faculty members — immersing them in a 12-month, comprehensive research experience in Knight Campus-affiliated labs.
These young scientists are taking on independent research projects in a diverse set of fields and connecting with mentors throughout the Knight Campus and across the UO. This year's cohort are majoring in neuroscience, biochemistry, human physiology, biology, computer science and data science, physics, psychology and chemistry. Here are some other statistics about this year's group of outstanding, next generation researchers:
- Gender: 25% Male; 75% Female
- Ethnicity: 55% students of color; 45% white
- 20% are first-generation
- 25% are transfer students
- 55% are enrolled in the Clark Honors College
- 70% are Oregon residents (graduate from an Oregon High School)
Read more below about this year's cohort of next generation leading researchers.
Tom and Cathy Hui Scholars
Class: Freshman (with junior standing)
Major: Neuroscience (Clark Honors College)
Mentor: Dominique Granville
Lab: Willett Lab
“During my first term here at UO, I’ve connected with several seniors and grad students possessing experience in the Knight Campus and the iGEM club (which I intend to join next term). These conversations opened my eyes to the fields of bioengineering and synthetic biology and their relation to neuroscience. I believe the skills gained through research within the Knight Campus will be instrumental to me discerning the kind of graduate program I’d like to pursue.”
Tom and Cathy Hui Scholars
Class: Junior
Major: Neuroscience (Clark Honors College)
Minor: Global Health
Mentor: Hiro Uehara
Lab: Ambati Lab
"In the future, I hope to join an M.D./Ph.D program with the focus on connecting research with the clinical setting. The Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars program will aid me in achieving my career goals and professional aspirations by providing the resources necessary for me to learn and articulate my findings, as well as aid me in determining my specific interests in medicine. I will gain a greater understanding of how scientific research is conducted and how this knowledge can impact change in communities through treatments and a better understanding of healthcare."
Tom and Cathy Hui Scholars
Class: Junior
Major: Biochemistry
Mentor: Monique Demuth
Lab: Rapp Lab
“The KCUS fellowship will be a strong investment in my future, providing me with the chance to perform excellent research without financial burden and enhancing my undergraduate experience with KCUS professional development programs.”
Tom and Megan Wuest Scholar
Class: Junior
Major: Human Physiology (Clark Honors College)
Minor: Chemistry
Mentor: Baila Shakaib
Lab: Ambati Lab
"Working in the Ambati lab aligns with my career goals as it allows me to focus on medical research that works towards culpable solutions for patients suffering from vision problems such as Fuchs dystrophy, agerelated macular degeneration, and keratoconus. The KCUS scholarship would allow me to pursue further research into the intersection between female pregnancy hormones, primarily estrogen, and keratoconus, a field of research which is quickly growing."
Tom and Cathy Hui Scholars
Class: Junior
Major: Neuroscience
Minor: Spanish & Latinx Studies Minor
Mentor: Corey Wadlsey
Lab: Greenhouse Lab
“By receiving this award, I will gain additional skills and take on greater research responsibilities that will help me toward becoming a clinical neuropsychologist, aiding me to work with other medical professionals, allowing me to work with and improve practices and contribute positively to bridging the gap in healthcare and education for communities that have been historically marginalized.”
Thermo Fisher Scholar
Class: Junior
Major: Biology
Minor: Chemistry and Environmental Studies
Mentor: Patrick Horve
Lab: Guillemin Lab
"The Knight Campus Undergraduate scholars program will give me valuable skills that will make me a desirable candidate for PhD programs in biomedical sciences leading to my ultimate goal of working to study pathogenic microbes at the CDC or NIH to expand our knowledge of human health."
Tom and Cathy Hui Scholars
Class: Sophomore
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Bioengineering
Mentor: Sanique South
Lab: Willett Lab
“This program represents a unique opportunity to work alongside leading experts in regenerative medicine, access state-of-the-art resources, and contribute to groundbreaking research with real-world applications. My goal is to develop therapies that heal and empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. With my interdisciplinary expertise, innovative mindset, and unwavering commitment to equity, I am eager to contribute to this program and push the boundaries of scientific discovery to create a healthier, more equitable future.”
Tom and Cathy Hui Scholars
Class: Junior
Major: Human Physiology
Minor: Bioengineering, Chemistry
Mentor: Malvika Singhal
Lab: Hettiaratchi Lab
"I want to be on the forefront of both patient care and clinical research to improve the ways we go about treating illness in addition to bringing new knowledge to the field. The Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars Program would help me explore new avenues within my research project this year and give me an opportunity to kickstart a career in bioengineering and medicine."
Kip Leonard and Jody Miller Scholar
Class: Junior
Major: Biochemistry (Clark Honors College)
Mentor: Nicole Kurhanweicz
Lab: Libuda Lab
“The Knight Campus’s focus on regenerative rehabilitation and human performance interests me because it emphasizes invention and development of technological solutions to problems that have the potential to not only heal the sick, but also protect the healthy. Natural selection and the evolution of fundamental biological processes does not result in perfectly efficient organisms; instead, bodies inherently possess flaws that lead to wear, disease, and reduced physical performance. It is important to me that these fundamental mechanisms are addressed to better understand, protect, and ultimately repair damaged tissues.”
Tom and Cathy Hui Scholars
Class: Junior
Major: Human Physiology (Clark Honors College)
Minor: Chemistry
Mentor: Helia Megowan
Lab: Dreyer Lab
"The research focus area that intrigues me the most is Regenerative Rehabilitation and Human Performance. I find scientific research most compelling when it has direct clinical applications. My mission as a researcher is to make direct, measurable improvements in the physical health and quality of life of all individuals through the lens of human physiology."
Kip Leonard and Jody Miller Scholar
Class: Sophomore
Major: Computer Science and Data Science (Clark Honors College)
Minor: Mathematics
Mentor: Justin Svendsen
Lab: Hettiaratchi Lab
“The Biomaterials research focus at the Knight Campus perfectly aligns with my passion for applying my interdisciplinary skillset to biomedical engineering; a field that continuously pushes the boundaries of innovation by developing new materials and structures can ultimately transform solutions to clinical challenges. I am excited to do work that tackles significant real-world problems in creative and impactful ways, especially when it comes to developing materials that enable streamlined healing to musculoskeletal trauma.”
Seeyan Lam Scholars
Class: Junior
Major: Neuroscience (Clark Honors College)
Minor: Legal Studies
Mentor: Michael Silverstein
Lab: Peters Lab
"The Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars Program will provide me with the resources, mentorship, and research opportunities necessary to deepen my understanding of both neuroscience and medical ethics. With the abundance of biomedical research being completed on our campus, I aim to contribute to improving how scientific discoveries are conveyed to the public, shaping the future of medical practice and policy."
Tom and Cathy Hui Scholars
Class: Junior
Major: Biology (Clark Honors College)
Minor: Biochemistry, Brewing Innovation
Mentor: Hannah Wilson
Lab: Libuda Lab
“The Biomaterials research focus at the Knight Campus perfectly aligns with my passion for applying my interdisciplinary skillset to biomedical engineering; a field that continuously pushes the boundaries of innovation by developing new materials and structures can ultimately transform solutions to clinical challenges. I am excited to do work that tackles significant real-world problems in creative and impactful ways, especially when it comes to developing materials that enable streamlined healing to musculoskeletal trauma.”
Tom and Cathy Hui Scholars
Class: Junior
Major: Physics
Mentor: Diana Ostojich
Lab: Gardner Lab
"The research area I find most interesting is the Medical Sensors and Devices. I have performed soft matter research at the Material Science Institute and I am curious to see how it could connect to the medical field. I always found new medical technology to be incredibly interesting and I would love to be able to participate in researching it."
Seeyan Lam Scholars
Class: Junior
Major: Neuroscience and Psychology (Clark Honors College)
Minor: Biology and Chemistry
Mentor: Gabriella Lindberg
Lab: Lindberg Lab
“Among the Knight Campus’ six research focus areas, I am most captivated by Neural Engineering. My interest in neural tissue engineering aligns closely with the mission and work of multiple Knight campus labs. Furthermore, I am fascinated by the possible benefits of treatments in localized areas, such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, to improve memory and brain functioning. I love to hypothesize new ways to modify neural circuits to slow cognitive decline or enhance neural activity.”
Ken and Kenda Singer Scholar
Class: Junior
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Spanish
Mentor: Lia Strait
Lab: Guldberg Lab
"I believe exploration of regenerative rehabilitation and human performance is a worthwhile investment because it has the potential to yield significant benefits across all domains of life, from young to old, healthy to sick, and from average to elite. Developing and integrating new technologies to enhance rehabilitation and performance can not only address immediate health concerns of individuals but also contribute to their long-term well-being."
Kip Leonard and Jody Miller Scholar
Class: Senior
Major: Human Physiology (Clark Honors College)
Minor: Chemistry and Political Science
Mentor: Helia Megowan
Lab: Dreyer Lab
“I am deeply interested in Regenerative Rehabilitation and Human Performance, particularly due to my extensive work in the Dreyer Lab, where we explore the "prehabilitation" potential of muscle cells. Our research focuses on exploring how essential amino acid supplementation and blood flow-restricted low-load isokinetic contraction exercises optimize muscle resilience and muscle cell function before injury or surgery. This work aligns directly with the goals of regenerative rehabilitation, as it seeks to harness the body’s inherent regenerative capabilities while integrating rehabilitation techniques that improve functional outcomes.”
Clark Honors College Scholar
Class: Sophomore
Major: Neuroscience (Clark Honors College)
Minor: Bioengineering, Chemistry
Mentor: Felix Deku
Lab: Deku Lab
"Participation in the Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars program aligns perfectly with my goal of becoming a physician-scientist specializing in clinical neuroscience. The program’s year-long immersion in cutting-edge research provides an unparalleled opportunity to expand my expertise in neuro-engineering while gaining critical research skills. Its emphasis on fostering innovative, interdisciplinary approaches aligns with my vision of integrating advanced technology with neuroscience to address neurological disorders. This experience would be instrumental in building the foundation necessary for pursuing an MD/PhD and developing impactful solutions in healthcare."
Bryan and Maureen Wolf Scholar
Class: Junior
Major: Chemistry
Minor: Bioengineering
Mentor: Cameron Moore
Lab: Benoit Lab
“I’m particularly drawn to the area of biomaterials due to their applications in pharmaceutical chemistry, with a particular focus on advancing drug delivery systems. Through my work thus with polymers, I have developed an initial foundational understanding of how nanoparticles can be engineered for therapeutic purposes. My experiences so far have inspired me to deepen my expertise in this area, as I am particularly motivated by the potential of these materials to revolutionize treatments for challenging medical conditions, such as internal bleeding.”
Tom and Cathy Hui Scholars
Class: Junior
Major: Chemistry
Mentor: Vi Baird
Lab: Jasti Lab
"The opportunity to work in a real research lab has been fantastic and having access to things like NMR spectroscopy just down the hall, and knowledgeable graduate students all around me, has made a huge difference in my learning of practical lessons and skills in organic chemistry. I’m also particularly motivated to make contributions in the area of novel materials that can be used in bio imaging."