Boluwatife Olubusoye, a doctoral student in chemistry, places bags of biochar, or specially heated biowaste, at the head of a runoff tunnel. Olubusoye and a team of Ole Miss and USDA researchers found that biochar can filter more than 92% of microplastics from runoff water. Submitted photo
Using treated plant waste as a filter reduced the presence of harmful microplastics in agricultural runoff by more than 92%, according to a new study authored by a University of Mississippi research team.
Biochar is a type of charcoal made from plant material that has been heated or burned in an oxygen-limited environment.
Boluwatife Olubusoye, a doctoral student in chemistry, collects a sample of agricultural runoff water in the Mississippi Delta. Submitted photo
“Microplastics in the environment stem in part from the degradation of larger plastic by natural physical, chemical and biological processes,” said James Cizdziel, professor and interim chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
“They pose an enormous challenge as they are widespread, persistent and can accumulate in plants and wildlife, leading to detrimental effects on certain organisms and, potentially, on humans who consume them.”
Microplastics in agriculture come from two primary sources, said Boluwatife Olubusoye, an Ole Miss doctoral student in chemistry and an author of the study. Sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants, which is used as a fertilizer, and plastic mulch and row covers, which insulate plants and promote growth, both bring measurable amounts of microplastics to agricultural areas.
“When these plastic sheets break down in the field, they become very tiny and that’s how you get microplastics in the agricultural fields,” the Lagos, Nigeria, native said. “What happens is that when there is a heavy rainfall, there will be a wash of this agricultural field, which can lead to agricultural runoff.
“And this runoff can transport microplastics, and other pollutants, from the farm into aquatic environments – such as rivers, lakes and oceans – where microplastics can pose threats to organisms like oysters and small fishes.”
They tested the water for microplastics in Cizdziel’s microplastic research laboratory at Ole Miss, and passed the runoff through biochar to determine how effective it was at capturing the microplastics.
“We also observed that in addition to agricultural runoff, urban stormwater runoff is a prominent source of microplastics pollution,” Olubusoye said. “Our research is trying to reduce the influx of these contaminants from these runoff events into downstream water bodies.”
Using biochar reduced the amount of microplastics in samples of runoff by between 86.6% and 92.6%. Because of the success of the initial tests, the researchers are scaling up efforts to test biochar in the field.
The researchers will present their findings at three upcoming conferences, including:
A microscopic look at biochar shows microplastic particles that were caught and removed from agricultural runoff in the Mississippi Delta. Submitted photo
“Our findings underscore the potential of biochar to be a cost-effective adsorbent for the removal of microplastics from runoff,” Cizdziel said. “As such, scaled-up field studies are underway and preliminary data show a marked decrease in microplastics, including tire wear particles, after the runoff passes through large filter socks filled with biochar.
“Our work could result in new agricultural and stormwater management practices to mitigate microplastic pollution stemming from farms and urban runoff in order to safeguard environmental and human health.”
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Mississippi, located in Oxford, Mississippi, invites applications for a tenure track faculty position at the ASSISTANT PROFESSOR level in the area of ANALYTICAL or PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY to begin in August 2025. Click Here to apply.
Individuals with expertise in any area of analytical or physical chemistry, including experimental or computational/theoretical chemistry and those complementing active research programs in the Department (e.g. astrochemistry, forensic chemistry, nanomaterials, chemical physics, energy, and environmental chemistry) are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Department has 19 tenured and tenure-track faculty, 9 teaching faculty, and a vibrant graduate Ph.D. program. A new $175M STEM education facility on campus has just opened that will foster interdisciplinary opportunities to fulfill our commitment to inclusive excellence in chemical education. Details of this facility can be found on the departmental website (chemistry.olemiss.edu).
The successful candidate is expected to establish a nationally recognized, externally funded research program; provide mentorship for graduate and undergraduate researchers; demonstrate excellence in teaching; and perform service to the department, college, university, and community (visitoxfordms.com)
Position Details
Appointment: 9 Month
Assignment Type: Tenure Track
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must have a Ph.D. and relevant experience beyond the Ph.D. in analytical or physical chemistry (broadly defined) or a closely related field.
Application Procedures
Review of applications will begin October 15th, 2024 and continue until an adequate applicant pool is established. Applications must be submitted online (careers.olemiss.edu) and should include a cover letter, a current CV, research plans, and a teaching philosophy statement.
Because the University of Mississippi and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry are committed to building an inclusive and diverse university community, applicants should specify within their application how their teaching, scholarship, and service will contribute to a diverse and inclusive community. During the online application process, applicants will be prompted to provide the names and email addresses of three professional references that will provide letters of recommendation.
About the University of MS & Oxford, MS
Founded in 1848, the University of Mississippi (UM), affectionately known to alumni, students and friends as Ole Miss, is Mississippi’s flagship university. Included in the elite group of R-1: Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity by the Carnegie Classification, it has a long history of producing leaders in public service, academics and business. The University of Mississippi, consistently named by The Chronicle of Higher Education as a “Great College to Work For,” is located in Oxford, MS, which is ranked one of the “Top 10 Best College Towns.” With more than 24,000 students, UM is the state’s largest university and is ranked among the nation’s fastest-growing institutions. The University of Mississippi, which has aggressively implemented many health and wellness initiatives for its more than 2,900 employees, has consistently been named one of Mississippi’s Healthiest Workplaces.
Touted as the “Cultural Mecca of the South”, creativity abounds in Oxford as musicians, artists and writers alike find inspiration in Oxford’s rich history, small town charm and creative community. Oxford is a one-hour drive south of Memphis, TN and is known as the home of Nobel Prize winning author William Faulkner. Over the years Oxford has also been known for offering exceptional culinary experiences and as the home of the University of Mississippi and the Ole Miss Rebels, there is always something here to immerse yourself in. Oxford has also been featured as a literary and arts destination in such publications as The New York Times, Southern Living, Condé Nast Traveler, and GQ. Among other cultural activities, annual events include the Oxford Film Festival, a thriving local music scene, and the Ford Center Performing Arts Series. Oxford is a vibrant university town, filled with unique shops and galleries, eclectic restaurants and clubs, historic landmarks, and comfortable inns.
Background Check Statement
The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.
EEO Statement
The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.
Amy Lynn Rosen will join the University of Mississippi Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry as an Instructor and the Associate Coordinator of Undergraduate Labs on August 1st. Ms. Rosen received her Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2001, a Masters of Science from Indiana University in 2003, and a Masters in Arts in Science Education from Columbia University Teachers College in 2004. She was a US Presidential Scholar Distinguished Teacher in 2021 and Outstanding Teacher of the Year for the Lafayette County Soil & Water Conservation District in 2023.
Her professional interests lie in chemistry education, development of curricular materials, inclusive practices in undergraduate education, training secondary science educators, and community outreach.
Dr. Sujay Ray will join the University of Mississippi Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry on August 1st. Dr. Ray received his Bachelor of Science from Calcutta University, India, in 2007, a Masters of Science from Indian Institute of Technology, India, in 2009, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Physics from Kent State University in 2015. He then served as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan from 2015-2020 and Harvard University from 2020-2022, and then as a senior research assistant at the University of Michigan before joining the faculty at UM. His interests center around nucleic acid-protein interactions in the context of cellular stress responses, DNA/RNA- nano structures, molecular robotics, single molecule biophysics/biochemistry, fluorescence microscopy, and force spectroscopy.
His research group at the University of Mississippi will study how biological systems work at the nanoscale, focusing on cellular stress response. He will look at how certain structures made of DNA/RNA help cells manage resources and adapt to challenging stress conditions by prioritizing essential functions. He aims to understand how these complex DNA/RNA structures interact with different proteins to manage the demands of the cell. His goal is to clearly link between structural attributes and functional response and ultimately harness these insights for biotechnological innovations and clinical intervention. To accomplish this, he will develop and apply novel single-molecule manipulation and detection techniques, and nanoscale engineering. His research projects will combine approaches from a variety of disciplines including chemistry, physics, molecular biology, and engineering we collaborate with researchers from these various disciplines.
Dr. Jinchao Lou will join the University of Mississippi Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry on August 1st. Dr. Lou received her Bachelor of Science from Northwest Normal University, China, in 2016, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from the University of Tennessee in 2022. She then served as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Tennessee before joining the faculty at UM. Her interests center around bio-organic chemistry, chemical biology, nanomaterials, drug delivery, and synthetic organic chemistry.
The emerging fields of nanomedicine and biomaterials have the potential to significantly impact human health by improving the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases. However, despite significant attention and investment, the clinical adoption of nanoparticle-based therapeutic and imaging agents faces substantial biological, immunological, and translational challenges. Dr. Lou’s research group aims to address these critical challenges in nanomedicine and biomaterials by developing responsive materials that can effectively navigate complex biological environments through organic chemistry approaches. She strives to contribute significantly to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, ultimately improving human health and well-being. Dr. Lou’s research interests include 1) developing multi-stimuli-responsive peptide-based programmable materials to enhance the responsiveness and target specificity of nanomedicine; 2) creating short and ultrashort peptide small molecule materials that have the unique property of self-assembling in situ upon exposure to specific stimuli, thereby amplifying nanomedicine tissue penetration ability; and 3) developing chemical biology tools to better understand peptidoglycan synthesis in various bacteria cells, ultimately aiming to improve the efficacy of bacteria-targeted therapeutics.
Abby Boyd, Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Dr. Abby Boyd will join the University of Mississippi Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry on August 1st. Dr. Boyd received her Bachelor of Science from Mercer University in 2017, a Masters of Science from Clemson University in 2021, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from Clemson University in 2023. She then served as a Teaching Assistant Professor at the Colorado School of Mines before joining the faculty at UM. She was an NARST Early Career Scholar in 2024. Her interests center around recruitment and retention in science disciplines, accessibility of science, and environmental chemistry.
Dr. Boyd’s research interests include student recruitment and retention in science disciplines and improving the accessibility of science for all students. Many of her current and past projects surround engaged learning experiences such as undergraduate research and incorporating new technologies into chemical education. Additionally, she explores environmental chemistry research topics such as trace metal and microplastic analysis in estuarine environments.
Dr. Penghao Li will joined the University of Mississippi Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry on August 1st. Dr. Li received his Bachelor of Science from Nankai University, China in 2011, a Masters of Science from Boston University in 2014, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from the University of Oregon in 2017. He then served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Northwestern University before joining the faculty at UM. His interests center around the synthesis of carbon nanoarchitectures, organic electronics, molecular recognition, self-assembly, general organic synthesis, and physical organic chemistry.
Dr. Li’s research group aims to gain precise control over the spatial arrangement of π-conjugated molecules by means of covalent and non-covalent linkages to create functional entities with tailored physical properties. They rely on physical organic and supramolecular principles to guide the design of novel molecular, supramolecular, and macromolecular materials with unique optoelectronic, magnetic, and recognition behaviors for the development of enabling technologies related to energy, sustainability, and human health. Additionally, they seek to implement high-throughput and automated synthetic methods based on sustainable and green protocols. Major thrusts of his research group include (1) precise synthesis of graphene-based carbon nanoarchitectures, (2) molecular recognition of curved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and (3) discovery of porous materials though hierarchical self-assembly
Vignesh Sundaresan, Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Dr. Vignesh Sundaresan will join the University of Mississippi Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry on July 1st. Dr. Sundaresan received his Bachelor of Technology from Central Electrochemical Research Institute in Karaikudi, India in 2014 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA in 2018 under the direction of Prof. Katherine A. Willets. He then joined as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Notre Dame under the mentorship of Prof. Paul W. Bohn before joining the faculty at UM. His group will use and develop coupled electrochemical and optical techniques for studying the behavior of single entitles such as nanoparticles, molecules, and enzymes to not only answer fundamental questions but also to develop ultra-sensitive chemical and biosensors.
Imaging electrochemical reactions and biological phenomena at the nanoscale and single entity level can provide rich details on 1) heterogeneity in the system and 2) enhanced mechanistic insights that are not possible with traditional electro- and bio-analytical tools. The Sundaresan Lab vision is to use and develop high-throughput multimodal imaging techniques such as optical, electrochemical, and electron imaging to understand electrochemical and biological phenomena at the single entity level and utilize the obtained insights to design better performing catalytic and biological systems at the ensemble level. Accordingly, the group will focus on interfacing novel high-resolution optical imaging techniques, including super-resolution imaging, with electrochemical techniques that can address fundamental scientific questions in the fields of electrocatalysis, materials science, and biology. Additionally, the developed methodology can be used to design ultra-sensitive chemical and biosensors.
Kwang S. Yun (1929-2022), an award-winning chemistry professor who taught at UM for 30 years, was known for his creative teaching methods and dedication to students. He received the Cora Lee Graham Outstanding Teacher of Freshmen award from the College of Liberal Arts, the 1981 Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award for the University (now known as the Elsie M. Hood Award), and the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society’s Outstanding Teacher Award. Prof. KwangYun joined the Department of Chemistry in 1968 and taught general chemistry, physical chemistry, and graduate courses in quantum chemistry and statistical thermodynamics for 31 years. He was loved by his students and retired in June 1998, but still participated in physical chemistry divisional activities up until 2020.
Prof. Emeritus Kwang S. Yun (1929-2022)
Originally from Seoul, Korea, Yun received a B.A. in chemistry from Seoul National University before serving in the Republic of Korea Army from 1953 to 1955 and earning a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Cincinnati in 1960. “I had the great pleasure of teaching the freshman chemistry course,” Yun said. “Students in this class were mostly pre-med, pre-pharmacy or engineering students who were well motivated and eager to learn new and advanced concepts in chemistry. For more than 30 years of teaching this course, I have nothing but good memories.”
Prof. Emeritus Kwang S. Yun at a University of Mississippi commencement
Yun had several memorable moments from the classroom. “I gave weekly live demonstrations related to the subjects of the week,” he said. “Students enjoyed the demonstrations, but I had a few embarrassing moments with burning hair, burning neckties, falling from ladders and so on.”
The effectiveness of Yun’s teaching is evident. “More than 6,000 students passed through my freshman classes during my years of teaching, which generated many well-known doctors and pharmacists,” Yun said a few years ago. “I see them often.”
It was indeed a high priority for Yun to successfully convey the material that he was teaching. “I held weekly help sessions and enjoyed the recitations because it was a ‘free question-and-answer period’ where students felt comfortable asking any questions,” he said. “Because my main interest in teaching was to provide students knowledge and excitement in science, I always approached students not in terms of my level of understanding but at the student’s level. I used to say to myself, ‘If a student does not comprehend an idea, it is my fault and not the student’s.’” Prof. Randy Wadkins had Yun as a teacher while he was at Ole Miss as an undergraduate and a graduate student. Wadkins recently indicated that “What might not be appreciated is that Dr. Yun also taught math. I kept all the notes from his class all these years.” It is evident Dr. Yun holds a special place in the hearts of his former students and was well respected by his colleagues. He taught chemistry and helped many students prepare to pursue their careers in medicine, pharmacy, science, and other fields. He was a favorite teacher because he really cared about his students and was always willing to help them succeed.
Profs. Nathan Hammer and Kwang Yun in 2018
Prof. Dan Mattern was a colleague of Yun for a number of years in the department. Mattern recently said “I too am saddened by the loss of Kwang, who was always upbeat, enthusiastic, and smiling. He was also very precise in his teaching of chemistry, and his classes appreciated his careful explanations, and his consideration for his students. After he retired, he took up oil painting, with landscapes and scenes around Oxford–quite a switch from physical chemistry. A couple of years ago, he told me about his schooling under the Japanese occupation of Korea. All the instruction was in Japanese, and the teachers were rigid, but not mean. One day he went to school, and the entire teaching staff was gone. Japan had withdrawn from Korea, and that included leaving the schools, overnight. I’m always impressed with people who have to switch languages when they immigrate. Kwang had to switch from Korean to Japanese, and then to English. We will miss him.”
Long after his official retirement from the University in 1998, Yun continued to come to campus and check out books from the library to read. Prof. Nathan Hammer shared that Dr. Yun also continued to perform spectroscopy experiments alongside undergraduate and graduate students in his lab up until just a few years ago. Hammer said “Prof. Yun loved science and being in the lab. He gave lectures to our Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program on classical physical chemistry concepts and really enjoyed attending physical chemistry division social event. The students loved learning from his lifelong experiences and always looked forward to him bringing watermelons to our end of summer REU party.”
REU Faculty in Summer 2016 with Prof. Yun in the center.
Dr. Yun was also interviewed in 2019 by Bonnie Brown for HottyToddy.com and this interview is below.
Brown: Where did you grow up? Please talk about your childhood, family, and siblings.
Yun: I was born in Seoul, South Korea in 1929. I remember that I lived with my grandparents and my parents with five sisters. My sisters and I all emigrated to the United States. Two sisters are deceased. One lives near Chicago, one in Long Island, and the other in Detroit. My wife and I have one daughter who lives in Portland, Oregon.
Brown: Where did you go to school?
Yun: In 1936, I entered an elementary school near my home in Seoul several blocks away. I enrolled in a middle school (7th to 10th grades) which was about two miles away from my home. Those are from 1942 to 1946. Since Korea was a colony under the Japanese, we have to take the Japanese educational system; everything was taught in Japanese but I learned Korean from my parents.
Dr. Yun’s Family – April 1936 with his sisters, his parents (back row), Grandparents (middle row); Dr. Yun is pictured standing in the center.
In 1946, after the end of World War II, we became independent from Japan. I entered a preparatory school which was a part of the Seoul National University. This prep school was similar to a German gymnasium system (a type of school with a strong emphasis on academic learning) enforcing math and foreign languages. I had two years of high school just after the Japanese left Korea.
I advanced to an undergraduate program as a chemistry major and finished my undergraduate degree in 1952 which was during the Korean conflict. I was drafted and served two and a half years in the South Korean Army and was discharged in 1955.
I was admitted to the University of Cincinnati in 1956 and completed a Ph.D. degree in 1961.
Brown: How did you choose the University of Cincinnati?
Yun: From 1946 until 1952, Korea depended on U.S. aid in the national public schools. Much of that aid was in the form of army supplies—educational manuals used in the military. My freshmen through senior high school years, we studied English text. I didn’t know anything about the various colleges. But in my sophomore year, I took organic chemistry and the textbook author was from the University of Cincinnati, so I thought that would be a good place to study.
Brown: What subjects were hardest for you in school?
Mrs. Yun with Dr. Yun on the occasion of his retirement in 1998.
Yun: The difficult subjects for me were physics and mathematics.
Brown: Who influenced your career choice?
Yun: My father, who suggested that I should study science but not law. My father was a merchant who had two years of college. I was 27 when I started my graduate work at the University of Cincinnati. My wife went to LSU but later attended Ohio State.
Brown: Tell us how/when your Ole Miss “story” began? Who hired you? How long did you work at Ole Miss?
Yun: I had two post-doctoral positions—one at the University of Maryland and the second one at the Research Council Lab in Canada. Since the post-doctoral positions were not renewable, I began to look for a teaching position. I had several offers, but the offer from Ole Miss was the best. Dr. Robert B. Scott, Jr, Chair of the Chemistry Department hired me. Dr. Andrew Stefani recommended me. Dr. Scott was my Department Chair but he also became my friend. He and his wife, Russell, helped me and my wife a lot, teaching us about Southern culture. I joined the Department of Chemistry in 1968 and taught general chemistry, physical chemistry, and graduate courses in quantum chemistry and statistical thermodynamics for 31 years. I retired in June 1998.
Brown: What did you know about Ole Miss before you accepted a position here?
Yun: The only information I had was the information provided by the American Chemical Society. So I didn’t know much about the university before I arrived. When I came to Oxford, there were about 5,000 students. My wife and I lived in Northgate Apartments on campus (faculty and staff housing). I remember the first person who helped me was Mrs. Margaret Fields. She was very kind and very helpful.
L-R, Mrs. Yun, Dr. Yun, Connie Flake (Oxford artist) and her husband, Tim Flake.
Brown: Describe your most memorable days at work.
Yun: Teaching a large class of freshmen, fresh from their high school was challenging. That was some experience! For the first two years, I was assigned smaller classes because I was less experienced. However, after that I got the large freshmen classes.
Brown: What do you consider to be the highlight of your career?
Yun: In 1981, I received the Elsie M. Hood Outstanding Teacher Award. I also received the Cora Lee Graham Outstanding Teacher of Freshmen award from the College of Liberal Arts and the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society’s Outstanding Teacher Award.
Brown: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Yun: Teaching! There have been more than 6,000 students who went through my classes during my years of teaching, which generated many well-known doctors and pharmacists.
Brown: If there was something in your past you were able to go back and do differently, what would that be?
Yun: Be nice to under-prepared students. I didn’t mind repeating answers to questions. Repetition in the explanation is a virtue. I was willing to repeat it until the students understood the concept.
Brown: What is the best advice you ever received?
Dr. & Mrs. Yun pictured with one of his oil paintings. He has sold over 60 paintings.
Yun: Be patient and don’t jump to conclusions.
Brown: If you could have an all-expenses paid trip to see any famous world monument, which monument would you choose?
Yun: I’d travel to the Canadian Rockies. It’s so beautiful there! I lived in Canada and Boulder, Colorado. I loved visiting Estes Park and other sites each weekend.
Brown: What do you do to improve your mood when you are in a bad mood?
Yun: Listen to classical music.
Brown: Tell us something about yourself that not many people may know.
Yun: I used to do oil painting, landscapes. I took lessons from Oxford artist Connie Flake around 1985. I also enjoyed getting to know Clarksdale native Jason Bouldin, son of portrait artist Marshall Bouldin. Jason was a freshman in my chemistry class and came to me to tell me at the end of his freshman year that he was going to Harvard to major in art history. Jason has followed in his father’s footsteps and has become a noted artist in his own right. I no longer paint but I enjoyed it very much.
Brown: What gives you great joy?
Yun: Reading and listening to music. I like reading old classics. I like German novels of the 18th and 19th centuries. I like reading about human history, the creation of the university, etc. And I love listening to classical music.
Ethan Lambert, of Corinth; Reinhard “Matt” Knerr, of Paducah, Kentucky; and Alexandria “Ally” Watrous, of Lexington, Kentucky, all members of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, have become the university’s 19th, 20th and 21st winners.
The Goldwater is one of the oldest and most prestigious national scholarships in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. It supports exceptional sophomores and juniors who show promise in becoming the next generation of research leaders in these fields.
This year, the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation awarded 417 scholarships from a pool of 1,242 outstanding undergraduates nominated by 433 institutions.
“Ethan, Matt and Ally have all presented an incredible commitment to a career in research, and a genuine display of intellectual curiosity,” said Vivian Ibrahim, director of the UM Office of National Scholarship Advisement. “This is the first time UM has had three Goldwater scholars. We couldn’t be more excited for them.”
In recent years, the office has had steady success in recruiting competitive students for the Goldwater, Ibrahim said.
Ethan Lambert, a junior from Corinth, is studying light-induced electron transfers to help improve solar energy technologies. He has been awarded a 2022 Goldwater Scholarship to support his studies and research. Photo by Thomas Graning/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
An Annexstad scholar, Lambert is set to graduate in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with an emphasis in chemical physics and a minor in mathematics.
“I am thrilled to be named a Goldwater Scholar but this accomplishment would not have been possible without the incredible people around me in the lab,” he said. “They taught me new techniques, proofread and answered my questions at 2 a.m. when I couldn’t sleep.
“I would be a fraction of the person I am without them around me.”
Lambert hopes to apply for a graduate research fellowship from the National Science Foundation next year to fund a doctorate in chemistry with a focus on studying how to use light to induce electron transfers between small molecules. This work has potential real-world applications in solar energy conversion.
Already first author on three published research papers and co-author of a book, Lambert has been working with Nathan Hammer, UM professor of chemistry and biochemistry.
“It has been a joy mentoring Ethan in the lab,” Hammer said. “He truly has the love for science and the aptitude for research. I expect great things from him for the remainder of his time with us at UM and beyond.”
Knerr is a Stamps scholar who is pursuing a degree in biochemistry, with minors in neuroscience, biological sciences, environmental studies and psychology.
“I am fascinated by aging,” he said. “My time abroad – in Spain, Costa Rica and the Netherlands – has really shed light on different ways to approach how we age.
“In the future, I want to be able to look at aging from a scientific angle as well as a moral and humanistic one.”
Knerr has four published articles and has worked Joshua Bloomekatz, an assistant professor of biology.
“Matt is a dynamic student with a passion for research, who shows great promise as a physician scientist,” Bloomekatz said.
Ally Watrous, a sophomore from Lexington, Kentucky, already has published three peer-reviewed papers in computational chemistry. Her Goldwater Scholarship will provide funding for her junior and senior years at the university. Photo by Thomas Graning/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
Watrous is the only Ole Miss sophomore to be awarded a Goldwater, which will provide funding for her junior and senior years at the university. She is pursuing bachelor’s degrees in chemistry with a chemical physics emphasis, in physics and in German with minors in French and mathematics.
In the long term, Watrous is interested in collaborating internationally while conducting research in computational chemistry.
“The whole national scholarship and Goldwater process reaffirmed that grad school is something I want to do and can achieve,” she said.
Watrous has three peer-reviewed papers and one cover article to date as part of the UM Computational Astrochemistry Group, headed by Ryan Fortenberry, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry.
“Ally is an absolute joy to have in our group, and I count myself lucky to be on her team through her education,” Fortenberry said. “Most often, about the time that students get trained, they leave. However, she’ll be around for a few more years, and I look forward to continuing my collaboration with her.”
For more information on the Goldwater Scholarships and how to apply for them, contact the Office of National Scholarship Advisement at onsa@olemiss.edu.
