Rising Researchers
The UMass Amherst Rising Researcher program recognizes undergraduate students who excel in research, challenge their intellect, and exercise exceptional creativity.
The Rising Researcher recognition has been awarded to students from a wide variety of majors.
Faculty members are encouraged to nominate eligible students whom they advise/mentor. Calls for nomination will be issued twice a year at the beginning of spring and fall semesters.
The nomination period for the spring 2025 UMass Amherst Rising Researcher student award program is now closed.
Find more information on the nomination process, eligibility, and recognition.
Spring 2025 Class
The Spring 2025 Rising Researchers are proving that research is hardly confined to the inside of a science lab. The work they are pursuing, with passion and perseverance, holds promise to effect change—in the development of new life-saving drugs, on supermarket shelves, on the pages of major newspapers, on the theater stage, and at schools around the world. In the service of helping others, these undergraduates are learning about themselves, their passions, and their resilience as they tackle complex problems and find novel solutions. Learn more about their impressive accomplishments and the limitless opportunities to make a difference through research at UMass Amherst.
Shuli Rosenfeld’s [’25] research aims to improve the qualities of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives to make them more appealing to consumers.
Shakira Ebian ’25 studies Crithidia bombi, a common gut parasite that infects bumblebees, affecting their foraging behavior and reproductive success.
Chemical engineering major Yaozu Chen '25 creates microfluidics to determine the structure of proteins, a precursor to designing drugs to target certain proteins.
Lindsay Forauer ‘25 marries linguistics and theater research to inform her work as a dialect coach to actors performing in theater at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels.
Evan Owens ’25 conducts linguistics research to uncover the inner workings of languages and studies biases people may hold against certain languages or ways of speaking.
Mia Klotz '25 is helping students around the world gain access to educational information through her research and outreach work with the World Librarians club.
Carlie LaFauci ’25 studies the media’s depiction of trans individuals and gender-affirming care to identify opportunities to improve accuracy and reduce bias.
Fall 2024 Class
There is no doubt the Fall 2024 Rising Researchers are making a difference in the world—whether seeking solutions to improve diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, engineering a safer drinking water supply, designing a cutting-edge robot guide dog to help people who are visually impaired, or studying the public’s political opinions to work toward a more representative and equitable society for all. All their hard work has paid off: Beyond enriching their own education in countless ways, they have published papers, presented at national conferences, and received prestigious awards for their research. They have experienced immeasurable growth—both intellectually and personally—largely thanks to the dedication of their passionate faculty and graduate student mentors. Today, these Rising Researchers are leaders and role models as they guide other undergraduates in navigating the joys and anguish of conducting research.
Sarah DeAmicis ’25 conducts research on the brain of the sea slug Berghia stephanieae, which has implications for treating neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s.
Shiven Patel '26 is developing a robot guide dog to allow visually impaired individuals to navigate the world independently.
Bel Corder '25 is analyzing public polling data in order to understand contemporary racial attitudes among different racial groups.
Alexandra Katsoulakis ’26 conducts research to create flexible “nerve cuff electrodes” to help spinal nerves heal, offering promise for patients with spinal cord injuries.
Raul Vera III '24 studies how organic matter enters the water supply and seeks solutions to mitigate the presence of potential carcinogens in drinking water.
Thomas Truong '25 studies cross-linguistics semantics, investigating other languages to discover how they contribute to our knowledge of linguistic theory.
Lily Bigelow ’25 is developing process maps to understand how primary care clinicians diagnose diabetes in adults and gain insights to improve health care access and equity.
Spring 2024 Class
From the research lab to the theater stage, the Spring 2024 Rising Researchers are pushing boundaries and exercising their creative muscles. With curiosity and grit—and unwavering support from their faculty mentors and lab mates—they are taking what they’ve learned in the classroom and applying it to solve challenging real-world problems. The research conducted by these undergraduates may one day lead to more effective treatments for devastating diseases, new drugs to combat the rise of antibiotic resistance, or new plant-based foods to shift consumer preferences to more sustainable choices. Learn about the boundless opportunities UMass Amherst offers undergraduates to make a difference in the world through research, scholarship, and creative activity.
Ramita "Mimi" Dhamrongsirivadh ’24 analyzes data from wearable sensors to better understand movement patterns in stroke survivors to aid their recovery.
Adam Charest ’24 conducts research to develop new natural antimicrobial treatments to help combat the rise in antibiotic-resistant microbes.
Sophia Millan ’24 studies the role of circadian rhythms in bone regeneration to identify new potential treatment approaches.
Claudia Maurino ’24 has produced and directed two plays at the UMass Fringe Fest, including one she wrote herself.
Xiaoke Xiang ’25 uses a soft matter physics approach to develop plant-based meat and egg alternatives with realistic textures and comparable nutritional profiles to their animal-derived analogs.
Owen Hurlbut Lesk ’25 conducts research to improve understanding of protein folding in cells, with possible implications for treating diseases such as diabetes.
Fall 2023 Class
Whether studying disparities in preventative health care, using computing to advance an equitable energy transition, or exploring LGBTQ+ experiences through art, the Rising Researchers are helping to tackle real-world challenges and propel society forward. Their research and scholarship offer opportunities to put concepts learned in the classroom into action, explore different topics in depth, and discover passions to pursue after graduation. Often, their work takes them out of their comfort zones and beyond the bounds of campus, whether by presenting at conferences, participating in summer internships, or interfacing with community stakeholders. And for many students, the people they meet along the way inspire them, mentor them, and help them grow both personally and professionally. Learn more about how research, scholarship, and creative activity became an integral part of these students’ UMass experience—taking their education to the next level.
Anupama Sitaraman ’24 uses computer science tools to explore pressing issues facing humanity, including combatting climate change and promoting sustainability.
Dante Lamenza Naylor '24 studies natural physics systems—such as a bird wing moving through air or a fish fin in water—to explore potential enhancements to renewable energy technologies using soft materials.
Adam Forbes '24 studies a new, more efficient and cost-effective method of assessing how natural food colorants interact with iron, commonly used to fortify foods.
TJ LaLonde’s [’24] creative works span a range of artistic mediums—from 3D modeling, animation, and illustration, to graphic novels, film, poetry, and prose—and have been featured at artistic festivals and in literary magazines.
Charlotte Gilson ’25 studies healthcare disparities and has taken a leading role in a project examining pediatric fluoride varnish application patterns in Massachusetts.
Taras Nagornyy ’24 conducts research that seeks to minimize the release of harmful gases from vehicles with diesel engines, such as trucks, trains, ships, and military vehicles.
Spring 2023 Class
At UMass Amherst, undergraduates find ample opportunities to get involved in research, scholarship, and creative activity. These young scholars apply their intellectual curiosity and grit to solving challenging problems and sharing their talents for the benefit of society. Whether studying foodborne pathogens or the health-related effects of cigarette smoking, the earliest stages of star formation in distant galaxies or the evolution of communities on social media platforms, the Rising Researchers have contributed to projects that may just change the world. Along the way, they have learned new skills, gained new confidence, discovered new passions, and forged new pathways for discovery. Read on to learn more.
Sheikh Saqlain ’23 uses computational models and novel machine learning techniques to simulate physical systems for the benefit of science.
Helkin Sosa ’23 is a composer, musician, and music producer who released his debut album in 2022.
Isabella Boyack ’23 studies the effects of PFAS chemicals on the development of the exocrine pancreas, which is crucial for a healthy metabolism.
Julia Hershelman '23 studies a food-borne pathogen and its tolerance to sanitizers and antibiotics, for the benefit of public health.
Sean Bannon '24 conducts research on the effects of cigarette smoke on mitochondrial function, with important implications for public health.
Jasmine Mangat ’23 is a computer science and economics major who has carried out original research examining how communities, known as subreddits, evolve on the popular social media platform Reddit.
Timothy McQuaid ’23 is an astronomy and physics double major who studies the evolution of young star clusters using data from the Hubble Space Telescope.
Julietta Mascitelli ’23 is a plant and soil sciences major who studies fungal pathogens that affect grapes, with implications for vineyard management practices.
Bao Quang Gia Le ’23 is a chemistry major who works on the synthesis of molecules for cell surface modification, research with implications for a novel targeted approach to treat and image cancer.
Fall 2022 Class
By participating in research, scholarship, and creative activity, undergraduates have an opportunity to tackle challenging problems and push the frontiers of a field. They also have their overall educational experience, and personal development, enhanced in innumerable ways. The Fall 2022 Rising Researchers felt their work gave purpose to their classroom learning. They were better prepared and more willing to engage in class. They also developed important soft skills—like critical thinking, creativity, time management, collaboration, communication, and learning from failure—and confidence in themselves as scientists and scholars. As they grew increasingly skilled and independent, they even stepped up to mentor other up-and-coming researchers. Read below about all these students have gained through research, scholarship, and creative activity, and how they plan to apply it in the world.
Tergel Molom-Ochir ’23 studies mobile edge computing in order to design energy-efficient systems with improved performance and lower operating costs.
Kaleigh Hill ’23 has channeled her passion for nature and sustainability into an undergraduate research career focused on renewable energy.
Claire Fong ’23 conducts research on the possible toxic effects of PFAS and other “forever chemicals,” commonly used for decades in the production of plastics, cookware, and firefighting foam.
Lauren Kelly ‘23 studies wastewater-based epidemiology and its effectiveness as a public health tool to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on the UMass Amherst campus.
Timothy Merhmann ’23 studies Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), a virus that causes aggressive cancers, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
Lauren Brown ’23 conducts research with implications for improving understanding of wound healing, cancer metastasis, and human brain development and patterning.
Hung (Harry) Pham ’23 conducts interdisciplinary research to develop new plant-based foods that are better for human health and the planet.
Chloe Eggleston ’23 uses state-of-the-art artificial intelligence techniques to process large swaths of text on social media in order to study sociological phenomena.
Spring 2022 Class
When undergraduates take on a research project, they develop a wide range of new skills—from research techniques and protocols to experience operating state-of-the-art equipment. They often learn even more about themselves and what they are capable of. In fields ranging from food science to chemical engineering, Middle Eastern politics to computer science, the Spring 2022 Rising Researchers found in themselves a tenacity to push through frustrations and setbacks. With support from their faculty mentors and research teams, they discovered how these unexpected moments in research often open new lines of inquiry, and sometimes lead to the greatest breakthroughs. Read below about all these students have accomplished through patience and persistence.
Jahinaya Parker ’22 has contributed to four research studies and three published articles on the interface between drivers and vehicle technology.
Kanon Kobata ’22 is passionate about innovating new, delicious, plant-based alternative foods for a more sustainable food system.
Trevor Stearns ’22 has followed his interests in political science and the Middle East to conduct research that he hopes will contribute to concrete change in the world.
Zeynep Alptekin ’23 has taken on the challenge of developing environmentally friendlier permanent magnet alternatives for use in a wide range of tech applications.
Adam Lechowicz ’22 applies his dual majors in computer science and political science to research and innovation that benefits society.
Through her research, Emily Leonard ’22 seeks to understand the potential health effects of chemicals commonly found in drinking water, food, and consumer products.
Ryan Baker ’22 has played a vital role in research to understand how SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are transferred to nursing infants through breast milk.
Yue Zhu’s [’22] research explores possibilities for using AI and robots in the hospitality industry to enable and enhance the employment of people with disabilities.
Fall 2021 Class
These eight UMass Amherst undergraduates have performed outstanding research in a variety of fields—computer engineering, political science, public health, biology, and more. Many have published research papers in prestigious journals. Some are determined to continue their research while they study for a PhD. Others aspire to apply their research to industry or to society. But what all eight Rising Researchers have in common is the mentorship of a UMass Amherst faculty member. With the personal, scholarly, and practical support of their professors, the Fall 2021 Rising Researchers have flourished at UMass Amherst. Read about their accomplishments below.
As an undergraduate researcher in the Quality for All (Q4A) lab, Marisa DaCosta '22 has contributed to several scholarly papers on issues of health equity.
Ethan French '23 has applied machine learning to the study of quantum chemistry, resulting in a published paper.
Rebecca Louisthelmy '22 studies how brain cells are affected by glioblastoma, the most aggressive and deadly form of brain cancer.
Jiun Tseng '22 has worked in two different research labs and earned several fellowships while learning to use mathematical computation to understand biological processes.
Mackenzie Smith '22 combines psychology and political science in her research, which she presented at her field’s most prestigious conference.
Working in the Nanoscale Computing Fabrics Lab, Shaun Ghosh '22 has helped design the next generation of significantly more powerful and efficient computer chips.
Benjamin Aaronson's ['22] research on the roles of the environment and DNA in bone plasticity resulted in a study published in the prestigious Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS).
Studying the role of genes in embryo development, Tieqi Sun '22 has fallen for the thrill of scientific discovery.
Spring 2021 Class
In spring 2021, persistent UMass Amherst undergraduates adapted to COVID-19 restrictions as they engaged in substantial research, exercised their creativity, and elevated campus and the community. They found ways to thrive—they worked on campus when permitted and capitalized on remote research, learning, and volunteer opportunities. Read about the remarkable accomplishments of the nine spring 2021 UMass Amherst Rising Researchers below.
Isabel Levin '22 conducted independent studies of the experiences of families in school systems in North Carolina and Amherst, and has presented her findings at major research conferences.
Solomon Siskind '21 was honored as a Rising Researcher for his research project analyzing the experiences of non-white student athletes.
Samantha Hano '22 is responsible for spearheading the research, planning, and evaluation of a program to reduce opioid overdoses among court-involved individuals.
Chemical engineering student Nicholas Sbalbi ’22 discovered a method for synthesizing Janus nanoparticles resembling jellyfish.
Kathleen Loonie '21 studies a gene family in ruminants (such as sheep and cattle), with implications for protecting the health and well-being of these animals and the society that depends on them.
Eugenia Roberts ’21 helped develop new technology to rapidly detect bacterial bloodstream infections.
Alan Simon's ['21] research on the labor history of a textile mill in his hometown has been accepted for publication in the Connecticut History Review.
Working in the Wearable Electronics Lab, Ali Abdel-Maksoud '21 uses a specialized technique to create electronic polymer films on textiles.
Claire Healy '21 founded an international, multilingual magazine to create community across borders among young people through the exchange of art and narrative.