» Meet Our Beckman Scholars

photo of Emma Kocik '22

Emma Kocik '22

B.S. in Chemistry, minor in Environmental Science; Ph.D. candidate at University of Pennsylvania
As Chapman's first Beckman Scholar, Kocik '22 filled a key gap in marine research with a project to test nanoparticles as a tool for restoring ecosystems. She is now pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania.
photo of Benjamin Janda '23

Benjamin Janda '23

B.S. in Chemistry, minor in Spanish; Ph.D. candidate in Organic Chemistry at University of California, Los Angeles
Janda '23 worked towards developing more sustainable chemical processes. Working with Assistant Professor Allegra Liberman-Martin, they investigated organic catalysts they hope will be more sustainable and cost-effective replacements for precious metals. Janda is now pursuing his Ph.D. at UCLA.
photo of Ishaan  Shah ' 23

Ishaan Shah ' 23

B.S. in Chemistry, minor in Computational Science; instructor for Physical Chemistry I and II laboratory courses
Shah '23 worked with Assistant Professor Jerry LaRue throughout his entire time as an undergraduate, focusing on making hydrocarbon-based fuels more energy-efficient. Now Shah looks forward to advancing his own photochemistry research to address symptoms of severe asthma, a health concern he has lived with for seven years.
photo of Paul Rosa '24

Paul Rosa '24

Biological Sciences major, minor in Chemistry
Rosa '24 is using computational techniques to investigate how Lewis acidic salts activate sulfur-fluoride bonds.
photo of Kevin Nguyen '24

Kevin Nguyen '24

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major
Nguyen '24 is researching drought tolerance in chia by zeroing in on these plants at the genomic level. In addition to being a Beckman Scholar, Nguyen is also a Simon STEM Scholar and Goldwater Scholar.