Inaugural cohort of Barbara J. Burger Chemical Sustainability Scholars embarks on 15-month paid research experiences.
A cohort of University of Rochester undergraduate chemistry and chemical engineering students will gain crucial paid research experience through a new scholars program established by a Rochester trustee. The inaugural group of Barbara J. Burger Chemical Sustainability Scholars will conduct research at the forefront of sustainability under the guidance of Rochester faculty.
Established this spring through a gift from Rochester Trustee Barbara J. Burger ’83, the program will provide a new pathway for exploring professional interests during a 15-month research project.
“Too often, bright and aspiring students have to make hard decisions between pursuing unpaid research opportunities they are passionate about and taking jobs to support themselves financially,” says Burger. “Through the paid research opportunities the Chemical Sustainability Scholars program provides, I hope to make undergraduate research more attainable for a broader range of students.”
The gift will support three cohorts of four students. The first cohort of scholars includes:
- Eva Ciuffetelli ’27 (chemical engineering)
- Justin Hao ’27 (chemistry)
- Jay-Brian Randone ’26 (chemical engineering)
- Sameeha Sultana ’28 (chemistry)
Additionally, the program inspired alumnus David J. Brezner ’62 to provide funding to give a fifth student with similar support over the next 15 months—Sophia Dmytruk ’27 (chemical engineering).
Eva Ciuffetelli
With a strong desire to lead a life that leaves a positive impact on the planet, Eva Ciuffetelli ’27 is maximizing her undergraduate research opportunities so that she can pursue a PhD and study non-polluting energy or biodegradable materials.
“I hope to devote my career to improving environmental health with PhD-level education and research experience,” says Ciuffetelli. “The Chemical Sustainability Scholars program will provide me with a foundation in sustainability-related research and the skills needed to continue into a higher education program.”
Working under the guidance of Marc Porosoff, an associate professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Ciuffetelli will investigate tungsten carbide catalysts that support water electrolysis reactions for clean fuel.
No stranger to a research lab, Ciuffetelli spent last summer conducting research at the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine through the University of Pittsburgh, where she investigated how the regenerative qualities of tissue can be used to develop treatments for battle wounds. Outside the lab, she keeps balanced by serving as deputy secretary of sustainability for Rochester’s Students’ Association Government and as a peer mentor for Rochester’s chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Sophia Dmytruk
Coming from a long line of medical doctors, Sophia Dmytruk ’27 wants to improve the world in a different way that leverages her strengths in physics, math, and chemistry. She credits her 8th grade teacher Mr. Rose with fostering her interest in sustainability and helping her discover the positive impact that chemical engineers can have.
“I now understand more than ever how our planet is evolving negatively due to climate change, and how harmful products are damaging our environment,” says Dmytruk. “As a chemical engineering major, I have committed myself to sustainability in an effort to help reverse these effects.”
Dmytruk will work in the lab of Gang Fan, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering. Fan’s lab explores how the combination of microbial and chemical engineering can develop greener plastics and help improve the polymer industry.
Dmytruk is also a member of the varsity women’s swimming and diving team and serves as public relations vice president for Gamma Phi Beta.
Justin Hao
Justin Hao ’27 notes that 2023 held the record as the Earth’s hottest year—until 2024 surpassed it—and he wants to stop this trend. To this end, he sought out research labs where he could help to address these environmental challenges.
In 2024, Hao joined Assistant Professor Brandon Barnett’s Organometallics and Materials Group, which focuses on advancing greener, sustainable chemistry to help protect the planet. The group develops biologically inspired organometallic transition metal complexes to mimic nature’s strategies for catalyzing challenging chemical transformations.
“I aim to apply my research to advance sustainable catalysis, driving innovation toward an environmentally responsible chemical industry,” says Hao.
When he’s not studying organometallic chemistry, Hao enjoys tutoring at the Undergraduate Chemistry Society and baking treats for his friends.
Jay-Brian Randone
Jay-Brian Randone ’26 believes his responsibility as a chemical engineer is to innovate and address the mounting environmental challenges that modern industries face. Growing up in more than a dozen countries—from Thailand to Italy—he has witnessed firsthand the uneven effects of technology on the environment across the globe, and wants to solve problems that could be applied in the real world.
He joined the lab of Yasemin Basdogan, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, which combines molecular simulations and quantum chemistry calculations to generate smart, reliable, and efficient computational data. This data will inform molecular design and leverage artificial intelligence to design new materials for sustainability and energy applications.
“I want to ensure that sustainability is not just a compromise but an opportunity for advancement and growth in the world,” says Randone. “This scholarship won’t just be an amazing financial support but will provide me with the resources and network to deepen my understanding of the industry and refine my skills so that I will be able to contribute meaningfully to the field of sustainability.”
In his free time at Rochester, Randone plays on the men’s club volleyball team and serves as the lead events coordinator for the Asian Student Union.
Sameeha Sultana
As a high school student in Houston, Texas, Sameeha Sultana ’28 got her first taste of chemical sustainability research by participating in Rice University’s TAPIA STEM program, where she learned about carbon capture and storage. The experience sparked her interest in chemistry and a desire to dive deeper into designing cleaner materials used for energy storage, energy production, and carbon capture.
In January, Sultana joined the lab of Agnes Thorarinsdottir, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry. The research group studies how to optimize the design and structures of covalent organic frameworks for various catalytic and energy applications.
“Getting an opportunity to work in the Thorarinsdottir laboratory alongside graduate students will surely help me understand what scientific research and graduate school entails,” says Sultana. “This experience will ultimately allow me to gain the mentorship and tools to explore applications I cannot simply study in my college curriculum and prepare me for a future career in chemistry.”
Beyond her work in the lab and classroom, Sultana serves as a Friends of Strong Memorial Hospital volunteer.
