Congratulations to Kyra Jordan, a QBE sophomore, and Ronin Mannina, a QBE junior, for being selected for the Beckman Scholars Program.
Funded by the Arnold & Mabel Beckman Foundation, the Beckman Scholars Program is a prestigious and highly selective initiative that supports exceptional undergraduate students with a 15-month mentored research experience in chemistry, biological sciences, and related interdisciplinary fields.
Beginning this summer, Ronin and Kyra will engage in independent laboratory research under the guidance of Dr. Mike McGuirk and Dr. Ramya Kumar, respectively. Ronin’s research in the McGuirk Lab is investigating whether halogen-bonded organic frameworks can serve as a highly selective and easily recyclable sponge for capturing harmful “forever chemicals” (PFAS) and fluorinated greenhouse gases from the environment. Kyra’s research in the Kumar Lab uses high-throughput screening and machine learning to identify the ideal polymer properties, including stability and binding strength, needed to create affordable and efficient delivery vehicles for gene therapies.
In addition to conducting groundbreaking research, Beckman Scholars receive a stipend and access to extensive professional development opportunities, including personalized mentoring, leadership development, and support in applying for prestigious scholarships to pursue graduate studies.