ISABELLE SCHUSTERCo-PresidentIsabelle is a fourth year Ph.D. student in Professor Peter Qin’s lab. Her research focuses on exploring the impacts of DNA topological constraints on CRISPR-Cas9 target specificity. During her free time she enjoys watching movies, reading books, and attending concerts. She is excited to have the opportunity to lead and work with the WiC board as Co-President this year.
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Kai KnightCo-President.Kai is a 4th year graduate student in Professor Megan Fieser's lab, working on the development of sustainable plastics and plastic depolymerization for a more circular plastics economy. Kai is a proud LA native with a passion for education and all things related to games and puzzles
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FRANCES YAUTreasurerFrances is a third year PhD student in Professor Mark Thompson’s lab, where she studies thermoresponsive polymers to be used in wound healing. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and cooking. She is excited to help support women in the USC chemistry community as the treasurer for WiC this year.
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DanaEvents CoordinatorDana is a fourth year PhD student in Professor Megan Fieser's group where she works on making biodegradable and sustaianble plastics, with a focus on their physical properties. She loves animals, exploring the outdoors, eating lots of different food, traveling, games, and fantasy. She's looking forward to working with everyone and making some great events happen for WiC!
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Germany Diaz de la cruzEvents CoordinatorGermany is a third year Ph.D. student in Professor Sri Narayan’s lab. Her research focuses on developing and testing viable electrocatalysts for water electrolysis, as well as exploring the properties of conducting polymers for battery applications. Some of her hobbies include traveling, crocheting, and fashion. She is excited to use her passion for community building to organize events that recognize and appeal to the diverse interests and needs of women in the chemistry department.
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EUNICE CASTROSocial Media CoordinatorEunice Castro is a second year Ph.D. student in Professor Megan Fieser's lab. Her research focuses on the development of sustainable catalytic methods to depolymerize the third most produced plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Outside of the lab, she enjoys traveling, playing video games, and trying new food. Eunice is most excited about building stronger connections and creating a supportive environment with other women in the Chemistry department.
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Smaranda MarinescuFaculty MentorSmaranda is an Associate Professor in the Chemistry Department at USC. Her group’s research focuses on the development of novel catalytic systems for efficient solar-to-fuel technologies. Inspired by biological systems, she designs molecular catalysts that involve hydrogen bonding networks capable of small molecule activation through multiple proton and electron transfers.
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Kate WhiteFaculty MentorKate is a Gabilan Assistant Professor in the Chemistry Department at USC. Her group focuses on insulin chemistry and the multi-scale structure function relationships of pancreatic beta cells. She is excited to participate in book club and work on mentoring the women in the department.
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