Spring 2021 Latin honors awardees Mutchler through Schwarz

I am graduating magna cum laude with a BA in physics and mathematics. During my time at CU I worked in two different research groups. The first was an AMO lab in JILA and the second group, where I completed my thesis, was with the neutrino group in the physics department. I plan to continue studying physics in graduate school and beyond.  I would like to thank my professors for all the knowledge they have bestowed upon me and my friends and family for all the love and support.

Santos Navarro is graduating from the College of Arts & Sciences with a BA in Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology. Along with the BA, Santos is graduating with Distinction and summa cum laude Latin honors. He worked as an undergraduate researcher in the Leinwand Lab at the BioFrontiers with his research mentor Lindsey Broadwell, PhD candidate. Santos also joined 42 other CU students in becoming a Goldwater Scholar with help from the Office of Top Scholarships. The Miramontes Arts & Sciences Program supported Santos and the community of diverse scholars to fight for academic excellence. Santos will enter the Systems, Synthetic, and Quantitative Biology PhD program at the Harvard Graduate School of Arts & Sciences in Fall of 2021. SKO BUFFS!

I am graduation magna cum laude with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Evolutionary Biology and Ecology. My honors thesis discussed some of the implications of sustainable food from both the consumer and producer standpoint and I hope to continue my work in a related field. I will continue my studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder, pursuing my masters in the Masters of the Environment program. Using the knowledge gained at CU, I hope to pursue my passions and work around the world.

I am graduating this spring summa cum laude with a BA in Economics with a quantitative emphasis as well as a BA in Physics. During my time at CU I was involved with the Learning Assistant program and PISEC, and enjoyed hiking and skiing around the beautiful state of Colorado. Upon graduation, I hope to find employment in the Denver area, but I am also keeping the possibility of graduate school on the table. I would like to thank my amazing friends and family, as well as all the amazing professors I learned from, especially my thesis advisor Jonathan Hughes.

I am graduating magna cum laude with a B.A in Psychology, a Business Minor, Linguistics Minor, and Cognitive Science Certificate. I served as the Vice President of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, and worked as an MRI research assistant for the Intermountain Neuroimaging Consortium. I was also an active member and occasionally Peer Mentor for TRiO Student Support Services, an academic excellence program providing support and resources for underrepresented students.

Marwa Osman is an environmental justice advocate and graduating with a BA in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) and a minor in community leadership studies. She completed her honors thesis in the Spencer lab in the department of neuroscience and psychology, studying unexpected sources of circadian disruption following nighttime red-light exposure to inform the design of testing conditions for laboratory rat research. Upon graduating, Marwa will begin her doctoral studies at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's program in biological sciences in public health. As a scientist, she is excited to pursue innovative research at the intersection of human health and environmental justice.

Elizabeth “Libby” Palmer is graduating magna cum laude in Chinese Language and Literature with minors in history and religious studies. Libby has been a Resident Advisor in Libby Hall for the last two years. This last year, most of Libby’s spare time has been spent raising and training service dog candidates for the nonprofit Freedom Service Dogs of America. The first dog Libby raised, Phantom, has gone on to become a service dog for a young man with a neurocognitive disability. Libby’s second service puppy in training, Oakley, will conclude his time with her in June. After graduation, Libby will be moving to Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China for a year to be a high school English teacher. Libby plans to begin graduate school when she returns to the U.S.

Steven is graduating summa cum laude with a B.A. in physics and a minor in mathematics. While pursuing his PhD in physics at CU Boulder, he will be working on a rubidium optical tweezer experiment in the Regal group at JILA. He is most interested in studying fundamental physics at the intersection of AMO and quantum optics. During his undergraduate research on optical microresonators, he has published a research paper as a lead author, coauthored multiple papers, and presented research at a major optics conference. In his free time, Steven records and performs music, does all of the Boulder mountain things, and tries to keep his four dogs entertained.

I am graduating summa cum laude with a BA in Neuroscience, a minor in Philosophy, and certificates in Cognitive Science and Public Health. I've greatly enjoyed my four years here at CU. I've been fortunate to work as a research assistant in the Banich Lab for the past two years, and I've held leadership positions at the Human Behavior Project, CU Mock Trial team, and National Society of Collegiate Scholars throughout my time here. After graduation, I'm planning on applying to medical school and taking a gap year to continue working as a medical scribe in Denver. I'm deeply grateful to all of my professors and mentors that have enriched my time here at CU, and I'm looking forward to my future steps in my academic career.

Hi everyone! I'm Richard Park and I'm graduating with magna cum laude honors with a BA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Reminiscing on my college career, I've come to realize how proud I am to be a Colorado native. I spent so much time in the outdoors - enjoying activities like hiking, skiing, etc. I was also a part of the Army ROTC program here at CU and loved having that discipline/leadership instilled into me. Becoming an army officer has allowed me to become a part of something profoundly greater than just myself. I volunteered for 4  clubs with an emphasis for pre-med students. I also worked in the local ER and med/surg floor at Boulder Community Hospital as a registered EMT during the weekends. I plan on attending med school after college.

Maya is graduating summa cum laude with a BA in Neuroscience and a minor in Creative Writing. She has spent the last two years working in Dr. Zoe Donaldson's lab studying the monogamous prairie vole and motivational behavior. For the next two years, Maya will be a postbaccalaureate fellow at the NIH, with plans to apply to graduate school.

I am graduating magna cum laude with a BA in International Affairs, a double minor in Education and Leadership and a certificate in writing. After school, I plan on moving to New Zealand to be with family and work, before going to law school and eventually becoming a lawyer!

Hello!! My name's Maddie and I'm graduating summa cum laude with majors in astronomy, physics, and math. I'll be continuing my descent into academia at Cornell this fall, where I'm starting my PhD in Astronomy. I'm very grateful to Eric Cornell and Dave Brain, who allowed me to work on research in their groups (which taught me more than any other experience). I'd like to thank Nick Schneider, Gretchen Lang, and Dave Brain (again!) for being incredible mentors for me at CU. I'm extremely proud to be a member of United Campus Workers Colorado, who are consistently fighting for better and safer conditions for our entire community. And I'm grateful to my friends and family for the support and memories over the last four years!

Samantha Piel is graduating Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Acting and a BA in Humanities. She has had the pleasure of participating in many CU Theatre and Dance shows, interned at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, and worked as a Student Coordinator in Libby RAP After graduation she hopes to pursue acting wherever the wind may blow her.

I am majoring in Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience with an honors designation of magna cum laude, which I earned for my undergraduate thesis titled "Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP): Cardiac risk factors and prognostics". For the last two years, I have had the pleasure of working in the Fleshner lab where I focused on animal models of epilepsy and participated in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). Outside of research, I have worked as both a LA for the NRSC 2200 lab course and as a LA mentor. I will be applying to medical school this coming cycle and hopefully attending in Fall 2022.

Hi there! My name is Wei Qu, and I am graduating summa cum laude with a BA in economics and a BA in mathematics. These are two majors that I haven’t imagined before I came to CU, but I really enjoy them. During my time at CU, I participated in the Experimental Mathematics Lab and a summer REU project in mathematics. I hope to pursue a Ph.D. in economics or related fields eventually. I am grateful to all the amazing professors and courses at CU. I enjoy a life full of challenges and I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life!

I am graduating summa cum laude in International Affairs with an additional major in Chinese and a minor in Political Science. I was a resident advisor for two years in Arnett Hall and Buckingham Hall and am a Community Center Lead in Willard Hall this year. This past summer, I was a research assistant for Dr. Alexander in helping code Chinese religious texts for the Chinese Religious Text Authority and was also an intern for Governor Polis. After graduating, I will be spending my summer in Taiwan with the Critical Language Scholarship, a program funding by the State Department. In Fall 2021, I will be pursuing a Master's in International and Regional Studies with a Chinese specialization at the University of Michigan with the FLAS fellowship.

Jakob Rheins is graduating summa cum laude in International Affairs with a minor in French. Jakob serves as president of the Buffs Israel Public Affairs Committee, Hillel’s representative on CU’s Multicultural Advisory Council, head of education and speaker recruitment for Buffs for Israel, and membership director of AIPAC’s West Coast Regional Exemplar Council. He spent his junior year in Paris, France as an exchange student at Sciences Po. Jakob also played on Mamabird, CU’s men’s Ultimate Frisbee team, and on the U20 Israeli National Ultimate Frisbee team. After graduation, Jakob plans to pursue a master’s degree in International Relations at King’s College London.

Marissa is graduating summa cum laude with a BA in Integrative Physiology. She worked alongside Dr. Matthew McQueen, conducting her own epidemiology-based research project focused on opioid abuse in transport. Throughout her time at CU Boulder, she also volunteered as an aide to the disabled, joined the triathlon team, and got her EMT certification. She hopes to eventually attend medical school, but until then will be conducting more research and working as an EMT in Denver.

I studied Astrophysics and Mathematics during my time at CU, and I'll be graduating magna cum laude this spring. During my time here I worked at the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics (JILA) where I worked in the Madigan group where I studied galaxy nuclei. After I graduate I plan on attending the University of Michigan for Astrophysics graduate study.

Gwendalynn is graduating magna cum laude with a BA in Distributed Studies, their major is  a mix of Astrophyscis, Neuroscience, and Philosophy put in conversation around existentialism. They have had a full undergraduate career at CU. Between summer research, organizing community, studying abroad to conduct IRB research in Colombia, and presenting at countless conferences , events, and panels they've been quite busy. Gwendalynn plans to pursue a PhD in philosophy and become a professor. On their journey to a PhD they intend to continue learning Arabic and Spanish so as to put philosophical decolonial dialogues across cultures and continents into the spotlight. But for this summer, Gwendalynn will be focusing on their full length poetry book's release.

Graduating magna cum laude with a BA in economics and a BA in international affairs.

My name is Brenna Royersmith and I am graduating summa cum laude with a B.A. in Mathematics and Astronomy. I do research in space weather, including my senior thesis in which I investigated time lags between geomagnetic storm onset and ionospheric scintillation detection. I love research and hope to continue doing so as my career through graduate school, which I hope to attend in Fall 2021. My time at CU has taught me to stop being afraid of new or difficult things and to always push through and work my hardest. Thank you to all the amazing professors, advisors, and everyone who has helped me get to where I am now. Always be learning, always ask questions, and always do your best.

Perrin is graduating with summa cum laude in applied mathematics, and he is dual majoring in electrical engineering. Over the past two years, he has been doing research under Dr. Manuel Lladser on methods of representing symbolic data numerically. Perrin has also done research on the mathematics of dodgeball with Dr. Juan Restrepo. Following graduation, he will pursue a doctorate in applied mathematics at the University of Maryland, College Park.

I am a second-generation Mexican-Irish American. I am graduating with a BA in Neuroscience with a Pre-Health focus. I have been honored with achieving the designation of summa cum laude for my research project titled "Mood Disorders: Associations Between Diagnoses Or Symptom Dimensions And Working Memory Updating". I was privileged to be a part of the Niswander Lab and RADD Lab, where I constructed my honor thesis. I was also a part of MASP and UPP, which were programs for minorities interested in STEM. In addition, I was an RA in Willard for two years. In my free time, I took part in CU's Ritmos Latinos and CU Tango Club. My plans after graduation are to obtain my PSM in Biomedical Science from DU and apply to medical school.

I am graduating magna cum laude with a BA in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. During my time at CU I worked in the Donaldson lab where I explored how the brain adapts to partner loss on the cellular level. I was also a MCDB tutor, learning assistant for the intro to MCDB courses and co-president of the MCDB mentors club where we helped first year students get adjusted to life in college! After graduation I will continue my career here at CU as I have accepted a research faculty position for the biochemistry department where I will be exploring the molecular mechanisms of cell fusion. I am so grateful for all the professors and mentors at CU and I am looking forward to the next chapter in my academic career!

My name is Emma Scheetz and I am graduating magna cum laude with a BA in Economics and minors in Applied Math and Leadership. I have been a member of the Presidents Leadership Class during all 4 years at CU. Through this organization, I have mentored high school students, served as a class advisor, and created a professional development course. I have also been a peer advisor for the College of Exporatory Studies where I helped students pick majors and classes. My favorite club at CU has been Concordia, a sustainable transportation club. We have worked to increase electric car usage in Colorado. This club has inspired to pursue a career in sustainable transportation. Next year I will be volunteering for Americorps in the Seattle area.

I am graduating summa cum laude with a BA in English- Literary Criticism, a minor in Jewish Studies, and a certificate in Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies. I have had internships with the Arts and Sciences Magazine and CU Restorative Justice, and worked as a research assistant for Professor Samira Mehta in Jewish Studies. I plan to pursue a graduate degree in the future, after gaining some work experience.

Hi! My name is Emma Schneider. I am graduating magna cum laude with a BA in economics. I minored in geography and political science and participated in the public health certificate program. I enjoyed getting to study all of these subjects. I am a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed community service fraternity, which provided me with many leadership opportunities and new friends throughout college. I also had the opportunity to study abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I am grateful for my experience at CU. I am not sure what comes next but I am excited for what the future holds!

Madeline is graduating summa cum laude with a BA in Geology. During her time at CU, she worked as a lab assistant in the Organic Geochemistry and Stable Isotope Labs with Dr. Aaron Meilijson and as a research assistant to Dr. Karl Mueller. The highlight of her undergraduate career was completing her honors thesis on active tectonics in Iceland under the mentorship of Dr. Mueller and exploring the beautiful geology of the Colorado Front Range. After graduating, Madeline is pursuing a PhD in tectonic geomorphology at Arizona State University.