DECEMBER 2021 Undergraduate Research Scholars COHORT
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Betz
B.S. in Biochemistry, Minor in Biology
Elizabeth graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry and a minor in Biology from Colorado School of Mines in Fall 2021. She joined the Williams research group in the chemistry department in fall of 2019 through the Mines Undergraduate Research Fellowship (MURF) and worked with that lab until she graduated. She received MURF in the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years as well as the Reuleaux Writing Grant. Her research has focused on applying asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation and multi-angle light scattering to count biological vesicles. She is interested in applying her passion for chemistry and biology to improve public health and plans to pursue a career in pharmaceutical science or epidemiology after graduation.
Tara Buzinski
B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Minor in Biomedical Engineering
Tara is a senior in Chemical and Biological Engineering with a minor in Biomedical Engineering. She’s spent her three-and-a-half years at Mines as a Thorson First Year Honors scholar, an art editor for High Grade magazine, and a dedicated employee of the Outdoor Recreation Center. In addition, Tara was twice awarded the Mines Undergraduate Research Fellowship to conduct research in the McGuirk lab. Here, she researched fundamental chemistry concepts including sigma-hole bonding and its applications in unnatural DNA base pairs. After graduation, Tara will be moving to Grand Junction where she will take some time off before pursuing a graduate degree in the biological sciences.
Michael Melville
B.S. in Biochemistry
Michael Melville graduated from Colorado School of Mines with a B.S. in Biochemistry. Soon after Michael transferred to Mines in 2019, he joined the McGuirk group, in the Chemistry department, as one of its first members. Michael’s undergraduate research consisted of both setting up a new chemistry lab as well as designing unnatural DNA-like systems. In the Spring of 2021, Michael placed second in the Mines Undergraduate Research Symposium for his presentation on utilizing unnatural DNA systems in the context of data storage. Going forward, Michael would like to pursue his PhD in Applied Chemistry.
Ethan Perry
B.S. in Computer Science
Ethan Perry graduated from Colorado School of Mines with a B.S. in Computer Science. During his time as an undergraduate, Ethan was highly involved in computer science research, working primarily with the Pervasive Computing Systems Group under the direction of Dr. Qi Han. Ethan’s research focused on creating practical advancements for internet of things (IoT) devices used in smart buildings and cities. During his undergraduate tenure, Ethan received the Barry Goldwater Scholarship for his work in research, and he had the opportunity to publish and present his research in the IEEE SmartComp and HCI International conferences. In the future, Ethan hopes to continue working with IoT during his career, making advancements to the field through his passion for research and engineering.
Tony Tien
B.S. in Chemical Engineering (Biological Engineering Track)
Tony Tien graduated from Colorado School of Mines with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering (Biological Engineering track). Throughout his time at Mines, he worked with Dr. Kevin Cash in the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department on projects involving various types of nanosensors for sensing analytes such as sodium, sulfate, and oxygen. Having been a recipient of the Mines FIRST Fellowship and the Mines Undergraduate Research Fellowship, Tony became a Mines Undergraduate Research Ambassador to improve undergraduate research opportunities and outcomes. He presented his research work annually at the Mines Undergraduate Research Symposiums from 2019 to 2021, winning third place best-in-show for his poster presentation on “Layer-by-Layer Growth of Bacterial Biofilms” in 2020. Tony is working towards getting a Ph.D. in a biological or biomedical engineering field with an aspiration of improving the lives of people and other biological life.