Past FLICE Awardees

*indicates Audience Choice Winner. The Audience Choice Award is for the best Soundbite, which is a two-minute overview of their work presented as one slide to the audience.

Brandon Tapia
“Simulations to Predict Temperature and Plasticization Effects for Gas Separation in 3D CANAL Ladder Polymers”
Virginia Tech

Camila Cersosimo
“Development and characterization of spray-dried quercetin-loaded nanocomposite microparticles (Q-nCmP) for the mitigation of pulmonary inflammation”
University of Rhode Island

Dien Nguyen
“Interfacial competition between surfactant and polymer excipients on a drug nanocrystal surfaceInterfacial competition between surfactant and polymer excipients on a drug nanocrystal surface”
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Duncan Hill
“Evaluating the Mesh Size of Block Copolymer Gels via Dynamic Light Scattering”
Bucknell University

Emily Carpenter
“Real Time Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Analysis on Anaerobic Electrochemically Active Bacteria Using Optimized Python Predictions”
University of South Carolina

Gigi Wang*
“PAL 2.0: A Physics-Driven Bayesian Optimization Framework for Material Discovery”
Johns Hopkins University

Hannah Snider
“Characterizing the Claisen Condensation of Diethyl Succinate”
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Hannah Uhl
“Separation of HFC-32 and HFC-125 Using Imidazolium Based Ionic Liquids + Polyvinyl Acetate Ionic Liquid Polymer Membranes”
University of Kansas

Katie Traynelis
“High Throughput Mapping of Epigenetic Enzyme Activity”
North Carolina State University

Luisa Dell
“Investigating Configurations of Two Quorum Sensing Systems”
University of California – Berkeley

Matt Mellor
“Synthetic, Compartmentalized Colloids for Tunable, Biomimetic Structures”
University of Rhode Island

Mia Sisul
“Comparing Corrosion Rates of Bio-Graphene Coated Metals Using Electrochemical Analysis and Experimental Weight Loss Testing”
The University of Tulsa

Nicole Babineau
“Towards greener production of complex molecules: enhancing triterpenoid production in yeast via PAH1 gene mutation”
University of Minnesota – Duluth

Matthew Zhang
“Engineering Peptides and Hydrogels with Controlled Degradation for Biological Applications”
University of Delaware

Ryan Mann
“Melt-Blended Ternary Polymer-Clay Composites for Additive Manufacturing”
Virginia Tech

Sara Olsen
“Investigating the Effects of Surface Stiffness and Viscoelasticity on Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Immunomodualtory Potenial”
Clarkson University

Sofia Luna
“The impact of matrix stiffness on the drug response of brain metastatic breast cancer spheroids”
The University of Alabama

Saurav Padhye
“Using in silico and in vitro techniques to model aerosol behavior in pediatric upper airways”
University of Delaware

Tiba Hamza
“Design of Hydrogels Containing Acoustic Cavitation-Induced Mechanochemistry”
California Institute of Technology

Timilehin Oluwole
“Determining the Oil Content of Seaweeds Native to Connecticut for Biofuel Production”
University of New Haven

Titus Szobody
“Developing Ionic Liquid-Based Mirrors for Next Generation Space Telescope Optics”
North Carolina State University

Walker Radford
“Peptide synthesis optimization of Alzheimer’s Abeta42 and designer peptide assemblies”
Georgia Institute of Technology

Warren Callen
“Using lipophilic dyes to examine lipid nanoparticle structures with and without nucleic acid loading”
Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Zihan Lin
“Designing W-SiC compositionally graded films for extreme irradiation environments”
Princeton University

Christopher Allen
“Engineering Improved Bipartite Repressors for CRISPR-Based Gene Regulation in Cancer Cells”
Georgia Institute of Technology

Karim Al Zahabi
“Rheological Evaluation of Artificial Saliva Formulations and Substitutes”
University of Illinois – Chicago

Anastacia De Gorostiza
“Understanding the Nucleation and Growth of CsPbI3”
University of Texas – Austin

Ethan Frey
“Laser Patterning of an Egaln-Graphene Composite for Stretchable Electronics”
NC State University

Andrea Goertzen
“Systems-level Modeling Illustrates Metabolic Landscape of Diseases”
University of Nebraska – Lincoln

Mariel Gomez
“Synthesis of Novel α-1,3-Glucan Polymer Derivatives for Amorphous Solid Dispersion Technologies”
Virginia Tech

Ishika Govil
“Rational Design of Molecular Glues for Targeted Protein Degradation”
University of Delaware

Richard Huang
“Elastic Turbulence Homogenizes Fluid Transport in Stratified Porous Media”
Princeton University

Winnie Huang
“Determining Sequence – Structure Relationships of Calcium-Responsive Repeat Proteins”
Stanford University

Aubry Hymel
“Lignin-Zein Composite: Synthesis, Three-Dimensional Printing, and Microbial Degradation”
Louisiana State University

Aidan Kindopp
“Aggregation Reduces Subcellular Localization and Cytotoxicity of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes”
University of Rhode Island

Teng-Jui Lin
“Quantifying Microglia Morphology Across Neuroinflammatory Rat Models with Unsupervised Machine Learning”
University of Washington

Samuel Mercer
“Plasmonic Effects Direct Gold Catalysts for Photocatalytic Methane Oxidation”
University of New Hampshire

Jason Ogbebor
“Ultrasonic Study of Water Confined in Nanoporous Glass”
New Jersey Institute of Technology

Stephanie Pecaut
“Efficient Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia on Novel Catalyst Ruthenium-dispersed Copper Nanowires”
Rice University

Maxwell Polanek
“Investigating the Effect of Mineralized Collagen Scaffolds on the Immunomodulatory Capacity of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Under Varying Co-culture Conditions”
University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign

Michelle Quan
“Analysis of Iron(iii) Doped Silica Nanorods Synthesized with Various Iron Reagents”
The University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Alyssa Rorie
“Wastewater Remediation: Comparing the Direct and Indirect Oxidation of Phenol”
North Carolina A&T State University

Malena Rybacki
“Ligand Removal Energetics Control CO2 Electroreduction Selectivity on Atomically Precise, Ligated Alloy Nanoclusters”
University of Pittsburgh

Jasmine Tran
“Predicting Octanol/Water Partition Coefficients for the SAMPL7 Challenge Using SM12, SM8, and SMD Solvation Models”
Miami University

Donovan Vincent Jr.
“Optimization of Microfluidic Droplet System for Single-Cell Encapsulation”
Manhattan College

David Webster
“The Impact of Ceramic Particles on Ionic Conductivity in Composite Polymer Electrolytes”
University of Notre Dame

Ke Wen
“Engineering Stiffness Tunable Methacrylated Gelatin Hydrogels to Model Glycocalyx-Expressing Endothelium”
Northeastern University

Victoria Yang
“Surface Requirements for Optimal Biosensing with Disposable Gold Electrodes”
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

* indicates Audience Choice winner. The Audience Choice award is for the best soundbite, which is a two-minute overview of their work presented as one slide to the audience.

** indicates Audience Choice Runner-Up winner.

Michael Bibbey
“Photocrosslinkable Affibodies for Efficient Cancer Treatment and Proliferation Inhibition”
University of Colorado Boulder

Carrie Bishop
“Epigenetic Effects of Extracellular Matrix Stiffness on Cardiac Fibrosis”
University of Colorado Boulder

Quinn Gallagher
“Modulating Heterochromatin Formation for Direct Cell Reprogramming”
University of Pennsylvania

Lauren Gerbereux
“Optimizing Hypoxia-Inducing Cryogels for Hypoxic Cell Culture Conditions”
Northeastern University

Cyrus Haas
“Identifying escape mutants on the SARS-CoV-2 Spike receptor binding domain using yeast screening”
University of Colorado Boulder

Daniel Haller
“Inducible Directed Evolution (IDE) of Complex Phenotypes in Bacteria”
North Carolina State University

Jacob Hewes
“Formulation Design in Histone Peptide Nanocarriers”
University of Delaware (Honors College)

Isaac Hopwood
“Mechanical characterization of Cu and Ni based metals produced via hydrogel enabled additive manufacturing”
University of Arkansas

Melanie T. Huynh
“Adsorbed xenon propellant storage: are nanoporous materials worth the weight?”
Oregon State University

Olivia Irvin
“Developing a Diversifying Base Editor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae”
Georgia Institute of Technology

Sonia Li“
Aquatic Photochemistry of Plastic Debris Materials: Oxidation of Polypropylene and Polyethylene”
University of Minnesota- Duluth

Julia Miller
“Engineering Stem Cells with CRISPR to Improve β-Cell Differentiation In Vitro”
Washington University in St Louis

Edward Neves
“Biomaterial-based tumor models to analyze the role of glioma extracellular matrix in therapeutic efficacy”
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Greta Olsen
“Physical Property Characterization of Ionic Liquids Using a High-Pressure View Cell”
University of Kansas

Nicholas Sbalbi
“Solvent-Assisted Reshaping of Multicomponent Colloids”
University of Massachusetts Amherst

Ava Self
“Human Manganese Superoxide Dismutase-Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide for Cancer Therapy”
Pennsylvania State University

Aditya Shah
“Elucidating Structure-Function Relationships for Carbon Capture Materials Using Data Mining and Machine Learning”
The University of Texas at Austin

Julia Simon**
“Optimizing Electrochemical Stripping Reactor Components for Wastewater Treatment and Sensing Applications”
Stanford University

Nicholas Snyder
“Modeling electrode geometry changes in zinc-based batteries using COMSOL Multiphysics”
University of California, Los Angeles

Hrishikesh Srinivasan
“Tin Oxide-Carbon Composite Anodes for High-Capacity Lithium-Ion Batteries”
The University of Texas at Austin

Alexis Voulgaropoulos*
“Effects of early geometric confinement on the transcriptomic profile of human cerebral organoids”
North Carolina State University

John Weiss
“Pyrolysis of Co-N-C Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction”
University of South Carolina – Columbia

Cindy Wong
“Energy Storage with Seawater Electrolysis: Ability of Oxide Coatings to Manipulate Selectivity Towards Oxygen/Chlorine Evolution at a Buried Interface”
Oregon State University

Maxim Zhelyabovskiy
“Phase-Transitional Catalyst-Assisted Membraneless ZnI2 Aqueous Battery”
Georgia Institute of Technnology

Lucas Attia
“Evaluation of UiO-66 Nanoparticles as Pulmonary Drug Delivery Vehicles”
University of Delaware

Elizabeth Bury
“Characterization of the Mechanical and Electrical Behavior of Galinstan Dispersions and Host Matrices”
University of Alabama

Chi Cao
“V8C7 as a Catalyst for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction”
The University of Texas at Austin

Caitlin Carmody*
“Ballistic Seed Dispersal in Leafy Spurge”
Montana State University

Ivy Chen
“Engineering Yarrowia lipolytica for Production of Medium Chain Methyl Ketone”
University of Wisconsin, Madison

Emily Doyle
“Polysulfide Dissociation Mechanisms and Self-Discharge within Magnesium Sulfur Batteries”
The University of Notre Dame

Sydney Floryanzia
“Fabrication of a 3D Microfluidic Co-culture Model of the Blood-Brain Barrier”
North Carolina State University

Amous C.H Goh
“Process safety incidents across 14 industries”
Purdue University

Mira Khare
“Methane Absorption Simulation Benchmarking in Metal Organic Framework Compounds”
Oregon State University

Kathy Feng Liu
“Harnessing chiral self-assembly for helical mesogenic actuators”
Stanford University

Joshua McGee
“Microfluidic Synthesis and Purification of Protein Nanoparticles”
University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Emma Peterman
“Integrating Computational and In Vitro Modeling Techniques to Elucidate Mechanisms of Pulmonary Drug Delivery”
University of Delaware

Lauren Simitz
“Rheological Characterization of Oxidized Carbon Black Suspensions in Aqueous Salt Solutions for Use in Flowable, Capacitive Deionization Electrodes”
Northwestern University

James Sinoimeri
“Hypoxia-Inducing Cryogels for Preclincial Anticancer Drug Screening”
Northeastern University

Pranav Thacker#
“Towards the engineering of robotic tactility”
North Carolina State University

Hansen Tjo
“Charge Density Roles in Polyelectrolyte-Micelle Self-Assembly”
University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Luke Tomasovic
“Designing a Broadly-Neutralizing S. aureus Vaccine by Nanopatterning Cytotoxic Antigens”
Georgia Institute of Technnology

Luis Mario Trevisi
“Controlling Silica Encapsulation of Iron Oxide Magnetic Nanoparticles via Modified Stöber Strategies”
University of Oklahama

James Wang
“Investigation of Non-ribosomal Peptide Synthetases and Chlorinases in the Ochratoxin A Biosynthetic Pathway”
University of California, Los Angeles

John White
“Novel Electrodeposition Methods for Palladium-Zinc Alloys as Catalysts for Ethanol Oxidation”
University of Alabama

Brendan Wirtz
“Detection of lithium plating on graphite electrodes in lithium-ion batteries using differential voltage profiles”
University of California, Berkeley

Juliana Yang
“Application of a Novel Electrochemical Biosensing Platform ESSENCE for Breast Cancer Detection”
New Jersey Intitute of Technology

Andee Beierle
“Passive resonant sensors for wireless detection and quantification of ionic compounds in opaque systems”
Iowa State University Research advisor: Nigel Reuel

Michael Bowen
“Mind Over Matter: Intelligent Quantum Dot Synthesis Enabled by a Modular Continuous Flow Reactor”
North Carolina State University Research advisor: Milad Abolhasani

Jamie Chuvalo-Abraham
“Identification of RNA oxidation as a novel biomarker of air pollution exposure”
The University of Texas at Austin Research Advisor: Dr. Lydia Contreras

Thomas Colburn
“High performance roll-to-roll printed PTB7-Th:PC71BM organic solar cells enabled by rapid additive removal”
Stanford University Research advisor: Prof. Zhenan Bao

Kasie Coogan
“Fabrication of Microporous Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels through Salt Leaching”
The University of Alabama Research advisor: Shreyas Rao

Derek Dardzinski
“Surface Reactivity of MoS2 with Varying Defect Densities Studied by Ambient Pressure X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy”
Oregon State University Research advisor: Gregory Herman

Bhavish Dinakar
“Controlling CO2 Adsorption Capacity in Diamine-Functionalized Metal-Organic Frameworks”
University of California, Berkeley Research advisor: Jeff Long

Madison Driskill
“Nanofabrication Using Self-Assembled Monolayers”
University of Arizona Research advisor: Anthony Muscat

Noah Eckman
“Direct Laser Writing of Three-Dimensional Graphene-Laden Microstructures and Further Applications”
University of Maryland, College Park Research advsior: Ryan Sochol

Madeleine Goedegebuure
“Development of a Luminescent Insulin Secretion Reporter Platform for High-Throughput Drug Screening for Diabetes”
Washington University in St. Louis Research advisor: Jeffrey Millman

Marola Issa
“Charged Nanoparticles Quench the Propulsion of Active Janus Colloids”
Cleveland State University Research advisor: Christopher Wirth

Daniel Krajovic
“Recyclable Shape-Memory Elastomers”
University of Rochester Research advisor: Mitchell Anthamatten

Magdelene Lee
“Super-Resolution Visualization of Peptide Self-Assembly with Alexa-488 Dye”
University of Alabama Research advisor: Rein Ulijn

Kristine Loh
“Understanding Time-Dependent Light-Matter Interactions of Mo2TiC2 MXene Films”
Drexel University Research advisor: Jason Baxter

Georges Motchoffo Simo
“Surfactant Choice Determines Toxicity and Uptake of Biodegradable Nanoparticles in the Brain”
University of Washington, Seattle Research advisor: Elizabeth Nance

James Owens
“Silver Nanoparticle Pulsed Synthesis and Attachment to Cellulose Nanocrystals”
Virginia Tech Research advisor: Dr. Michael Bortner

Thomas Porter
“Compact Surface Modification of Quantum Dots for Applications in DNA Nanotechnology”
The Ohio State University Research advisor: Jessica Winter

Priyanka Raghavan
“Optical Room Temperature Nanodiamond Hyperpolarizer and its Performance Optimization”
University of California, Berkeley Research advisor: Ashok Ajoy

Mahmoud Ramadan
“Mitigating Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion of An Oilfield Biofilm Consortium on Carbon Steel in Hydrotest Using 2,2-Dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide (DBNPA) Coupled with A Chemical Synthesized 14-mer Peptide”
Ohio University Research advisor: Tingyue Gu

Sanjna Shah
“Investigating Metal Oxide Supported Cu as Catalysts for the Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to Hydrocarbon and Oxygenates”
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Research advisor: Paul Kenis

Soham Sinha
“Addressing age related hearing loss through engineering accessible and affordable hearing technology”
Georgia Institute of Technology Research advisor: Saad Bhamla

Henry Squire
“Solvation and Mobility of Organic Redox Active Species in Deep Eutectic Solvents”
Case Western Reserve University Research advisor: Burcu Gurkan

Gavin Yeung
“Combinatorial Synthesis of MgxZn1-xO thin films for use in CdTe solar cells”
Colorado School of Mines Research advisor: Colin Wolden

Grace Anderson
“Attainable Volumetric Targets for Adsorption-Based Hydrogen Storage in Porous Crystals: Molecular Simulation and Machine Learning”
Colorado School of Mines Research advisor: Diego A. Gómez-Gualdrón

Matthew Burroughs
“Examination of the Binding Interaction Between Piperine and the Regulatory Light Chain of Myosin Protein”
North Carolina State University Research advisor: Dmitri Tolkatchev

Michael Doane
“Optimization of Biomass Pretreatment Using Lignin-Modifying Enzymes and Ionic Liquids”
University of Massachusetts – Lowell Research Advisor: Prakash Rai

Holly Ekas
“CRISPR-PIN: Modifying Gene Position in the Nucleus via dCas9-mediated Tethering”
The University of Texas at Austin Research advisor: Hal Alper

Jesse Hinricher
“Cost-Effective Polysulfide and Polyiodide Inexpensive Redox Flow Battery for Large-Scale Energy Storage”
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research advisor: Fikile Brushett

Seth Kriz
“Non-Specific Virus Detection Using Gold Nanoparticle Aggregation”
Michigan Technological University Research advisor: Caryn Heldt

Zvikomborero Machikiti
“Development of Green Production of Bioplastics”
Lafayette College Research advisor: Lindsay Soh

Shawn Mengel
“Cathodic Deposition of Metal-Capped Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide”
Drexel University Research advisor: Aaron Fafarman

Emily Moschella
“Porous Matrimid^® Support Membranes for Organic Solvent Separations”
Georgia Institute of Technology Research advsior: Ryan Lively

Hyeonji Oh
“Enhancement of membrane proteins extraction and post-purification”
Pennsylvania State University Research advisor: Manish Kumar

Ivan Pires
“Quantification of Active Apohemoglobin Heme-Binding Sites via Dicyanohemin Incorporation”
Ohio State University Research advisor: Andre Palmer

Gabrielle Rabadam
“Electrospun Drug Release Film for the Targeted Delivery of Chemotherapeutic Agents”
Northeastern University Research advisor: Thomas Webster

Vinod Raman
“Performance drop-off due to heterogeneous surface absorption in thermophotovoltaic devices”
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Research advisor: Andrej Lenert

Morgan Seidler
“Crosslinked, Single-Ion Conducting Polymer Electrolytes for Post-Lithium Ion Batteries”
University of Notre Dame Research advisor: Jennifer Schaefer

Nicole Sempertegui
“A combined compression molding, heating, and leaching process for fabrication of micro-porous polycaprolactone scaffolds”
The University of Alabama Research advisor: Shreyas Rao

Alexander Shearer
“Stimuli-Responsive Nanoscale Hydrogels for the Controlled Intracellular Delivery of Chemotherapeutic Agents”
The University of Texas at Austin Research advisor: Nicholas Peppas

Devan Shell
“Design and Fabrication of a Soft, Flexible Antenna System for Wearable Biomedical Devices”
Catawba College Research advisor: Michael Dickey

Allison Tang
“Regenerating Inactivated Carbene Transfer Heme Enzymes”
Caltech Research advisor: Frances Arnold

Eric Wang
“Molecular structure of the long periodicity phase in the stratum corneum”
University of Maryland Research advisor: Jeffery Klauda

Nathan Wang
“Synergistic Enhancement of Beta-Peptide Antifungal Activity Against C. albicans Biofilm Formation”
University of Wisconsin – Madison Research advisor: Sean P. Palecek

Trent Weiss
“The Use of Selective Polymerization of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) for Oxide Deposition onto Nanowire Transistors”
Georgia Institute of Technology Research advisor: Michael Filler

Jacob Baltzegar
“Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles as Novel Alzheimer’s Therapeutics”
University of South Carolina Research advisor: Melissa Moss

Brandon Clark
“Inorganic Nanowire-Modified Polyelectrolytes for Vanadium Flow Battery Membranes”
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Research advisor: Amy Peterson

Marlow Durbin
“Synthesis and Mechanical Testing of Polyimide and Polyimide-Ionic Liquid Composite Polymer Filaments”
University of Alabama Research Advisor: Jason Bara

Andrew Kristof
“Single-Cell Analysis on the Effects of Fluid Shear Stress on Cancer Cell Deformability and Migration”
North Carolina State University Research advisor: Adam Melvin

Sierra Lear
“Discovering Cre expression patterns under different C. elegans neuron-specific promoters”
Tulane University Research advisor: Anne Robinson

Kyle Lennon
“Towards Efficient Photon Upconversion in CdSe(Te)/CdS/CdSe Nanostructures for High-Efficiency Photovoltaics”
University of Delaware Research advisor: Matthew Doty

Daniel Lundberg
“Silicon Quantum Dots for Luminescent Solar Concentrators”
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Research advisor: Uwe Kortshagen

Ryan Morelock
“Electrodeposition of Palladium Alloys for Catalytic Conversion”
University of Alabama Research advisor: Qiang Huang

Clare Murray
“Engineering Y. lipolytica”
University of Texas at Austin Research advsior: Hal Alper

Ramadoss Gokul
“Engineered Biomaterials Enable Cell Replacement Therapy to Restore Motor Function in Parkinson’s Disease Model Rats”
University of California – Berkeley Research advisor: David Schaffer

Rebecca Slotkowski
“A high-throughput growth-based screen for CRISPR PAMs reveals novel SpyCas9 targeting rules in bacteria”
North Carolina State University Research advisor: Chase Beisel

Adarsh Suresh
“Visible Light Induced Activation of Diamond Semiconductor for Chemical Photoreduction”
University of Wisconsin, Madison Research advisor: Robert Hamers

Aristotle Zervoudakis
“Weak Polyelectrolyte Complexation Driven by Associative Charging”
University of Notre Dame Research advisor: Jonathan Whitmer

Brian Zhong
“Alpha-helical, Hydrolysis-mediated Polymer-drug Conjugates derived from Poly(propargyl-L-glutamate)”
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research advisor: Paula Hammond