Class Day ’23 Awards Conferred, Seniors Recognized
The Department of Chemistry Class Day ’23 Awards and Recognition Ceremony took place during a joyful celebration Monday, May 29, honoring the 29 members of the Great Class of ’23 who completed departmental requirements for graduation.
Overseeing the ceremony in front of a packed Taylor Auditorium were incoming Department Chair Paul Chirik, the Edwards S. Sanford Professor of Chemistry; Director of Undergraduate Studies Robert L’Esperance; and Associate Director, Undergraduate Program and Director of Diversity Programs Susan VanderKam.
L’Esperance also announced the Class of ’23 awards, honors, and prizes in the categories listed below. In addition, two awards were given to rising seniors.
Congratulations to all award winners and their families.
Departmental Awards and Prizes
American Institute of Chemists Foundation Award: This award is based on a demonstrated record of leadership, ability, character, scholastic achievement, and potential for advancement of the chemical profession.
Awarded to: Gayatri Ganesan
American Chemical Society – Division of Inorganic Chemistry Award: This award is given for demonstrated excellence in inorganic chemistry based on any combination of research, coursework, and/or motivation/interest/dedication.
Awarded to: André Koch Liston
American Chemical Society – Division of Organic Chemistry Award: This award is given in recognition of a student who displays an aptitude for organic chemistry, and to encourage further interest in the field.
Awarded to: Angela Park
Chemistry awardees in the Class of '23 with Rob L'Esperance (back left) and Susan VanderKam (back right).
The Everett S. Wallis Prize: This award is given for exceptional performance in all aspects of organic chemistry.
Awarded to: Tom Silldorff
The Malcolm H. Chisholm Prize: This award recognizes the student who has written the best inorganic thesis.
Awarded to: Francesca DiMare
The Robert T. McCay Prize: This prize is awarded to the student with the best performance on a physical chemistry exam.
Awarded to: Cameron Khan and Alev Studenikina
The Royal Society of Chemistry Certificate of Undergraduate Excellence: This certificate is given for outstanding achievement in chemistry.
Awarded to: Neyci Gutierrez Valencia and Cecilia Kim
The Sigma Xi Book Award for Outstanding Research: This award highlights high aptitude for research in fields of pure or applied science.
Awarded to: Chirag Kumar
Chemistry concentrator Isaiah Hayward '23 with his mother, Clarissa Hayward, at Monday's Class Day reception.
Inducted into the Sigma Xi Research Society:
Carina Baete
Bharvi Chavre
Fernando Del Castillo
Anushka Dheer
Francesca DiMare
Maddie Esposito
Gayatri Ganesan
Breanna Gbadebo-Goyea
Neyci Gutierrez Valencia
Isaiah Hayward
Bella Hubble
Cameron Khan
Cecilia Kim
André Koch Liston
Chirag Kumar
Amelia Liu
Austin Morales-Sanchez
Imani Mulrain
Jacob O’Connell
Angela Park
Jellyxa Rogel
Tom Silldorff
Alev Studenikina
Andrew Tran
Michelle Wang
Chemistry Department Honors:
Bharvi Chavre
Anushka Dheer
Maddie Esposito
Isaiah Hayward
Imani Mulrain
Tom Silldorff
Director of Undergraduate Studies Robert L’Esperance at the Class Day ceremony.
Chemistry Department High Honors:
Carina Baete
Fernando Del Castillo
Cameron Khan
Amelia Liu
Jacob O’Connell
Angela Park
Alev Studenikina
Andrew Tran
Michelle Wang
Chemistry Department Highest Honors:
Francesca DiMare
Gayatri Ganesan
Neyci Gutierrez Valencia
Cecilia Kim
André Koch Liston
Chirag Kumar
Princeton University Awards
Election into the Phi Beta Kappa Society:
Neyci Gutierrez Valencia
Cecilia Kim
André Koch Liston
Awards to Rising Seniors, Class of 2024
William Foster Memorial Prize in Chemistry: Awarded annually to a junior who has demonstrated outstanding academic and research ability in chemistry.
Awarded to: Songtao Li
Peter N. Curtin Class of 2008 Award for Excellence in Chemistry Research: Awarded to a current undergraduate student who has demonstrated academic excellence, exceptional intellectual curiosity, and collegiality.
Awarded to: Jess Wang