Meet some of our chemistry majors.
Mimi Chen
Hometown: South Pasadena, CA
Major: chemistry
What was your motivation to major in chemistry?
Before coming to Oxy, I actually had a pretty deep dislike for chemistry. Then I had to take chemistry as a prerequisite for another class in the first semester of my first year, and I found myself enjoying it a lot more than I could鈥檝e ever imagined. I really enjoyed the challenge, and I loved thinking about how such small things like atomic and molecular interactions build up the physical world as we know it. Chemistry is really a multi-faceted subject and has lots of interesting applications. There鈥檚 always something more to learn, and at Oxy, there鈥檚 a fun and special community to learn with.
Our [faculty-mentored research] project has recently received a lot of media attention, which has been really exciting, and I鈥檝e had the opportunity to present my research both at Oxy and at a national conference this summer.
Can you describe your working relationships with chemistry professors? Are there any standout classes you鈥檝e taken?
I work very closely with my research advisor, Prof. Hill. We often spend time outside of class and lab discussing research ideas and even just talking about life in general. I鈥檓 also close with our department coordinator, Regina Booth, who does so much for our department. The chemistry department is very close-knit and really feels like a family, which makes it easy to talk to professors about anything. As for standout classes, my favorite class at Oxy has been Physical Chemistry I with Prof. Udit, which focuses on thermodynamics and kinetics. I especially enjoyed deriving equations and seeing how math connects to real physical phenomena.
Have you taken part in any student research opportunities at Oxy?
I work in Prof. Hill鈥檚 inorganic chemistry lab, where we鈥檙e developing a non-invasive alternative to LASIK surgery using electrochemistry to reshape the cornea. Our project has recently received a lot of media attention, which has been really exciting, and I鈥檝e had the opportunity to present my research both at Oxy and at a national conference this summer. I鈥檓 very grateful for the chance to be part of such interesting work, to have a mentor who is deeply invested in my project, and to be collaborating with such great labmates!
[Editors note: Chen was also named a 2025-26 Science Scholar, which provided funding for her cornea research]
Hailey (Hakyung) Kim
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Major: chemistry
What was your motivation to major in chemistry?
I came to Oxy planning to major in psychology and go the pre-med route. But after taking General Chemistry II with Prof. Udit, everything changed. The way molecules move, interact, and carry energy made me want to learn more about them. That class made me switch my major to chemistry. Later, joining Prof. Hill鈥檚 lab and working on small molecule research confirmed my passion for learning how energy drives chemical systems!
Can you describe your working relationships with chemistry professors? Are there any standout classes you鈥檝e taken?
I genuinely love all the professors in the chemistry department鈥攖hey鈥檙e approachable, supportive, and always willing to help. If I had to pick standout classes, they would be CHEM 300: Physical Chemistry鈥揟hermodynamics and Kinetics with Prof. Udit and CHEM 340: Inorganic Chemistry with Prof. Hill. Prof. Udit鈥檚 derivations of the equations behind molecular motion and energy really deepened my understanding, while Prof. Hill鈥檚 class confirmed my passion for physical inorganic chemistry. Both were incredibly inspiring.
Through the liberal arts, I鈥檝e had the opportunity to do graduate-level research directly with a faculty member, something I never imagined doing as an undergraduate. That hands-on experience...shaped my goal of pursuing research further in graduate school.
Have you taken part in any student research opportunities at Oxy or elsewhere? Or, if applicable, can you describe your senior comps project?
Yes! I joined Prof. Hill鈥檚 lab in the spring semester of my first year and have been working on inorganic projects ever since. I started with designing bulk molecules to capture and reduce CO鈧 and later studied electron transfer reactions in chromium complexes. It鈥檚 been such a great experience doing real research with a professor who鈥檚 so encouraging and inspiring.
How have you benefited from the liberal arts experience? What are your ambitions post-Oxy?
Through the liberal arts, I鈥檝e had the opportunity to do graduate-level research directly with a faculty member, something I never imagined doing as an undergraduate. That hands-on experience helped me discover my passion for research and shaped my goal of pursuing it further in graduate school.
Matthew Spruance
Hometown: Kennett Square, PA
Major: chemistry Minor: kinesiology
What do you find most compelling about studying chemistry?
I always liked chemistry because of its ability to explain the world at a good in-between size. It is not as microscopic as physics, but it doesn't just describe big processes without showing what's happening at a molecular level like biology sometimes does. I also really enjoy the versatility of the subject; it can be applied to so many interesting fields like biology and pharmaceuticals, as well as renewable energy and sustainability.
Research has been one of my favorite parts of my education because I can immediately apply lecture content to a real-world application.
Have you taken part in any student research opportunities at Oxy or elsewhere?
I joined Prof. Despagnet-Ayoub's research lab last spring. I am currently working on the synthesis of an organometallic ligand to function as an electron flow battery. We are hoping that this design can be more energy-dense than other flow batteries. Research has been one of my favorite parts of my education because I can immediately apply lecture content to a real-world application.
Can you describe your working relationships with chemistry professors? Are there any standout classes you鈥檝e taken?
I've thoroughly enjoyed every chemistry class I have taken at Oxy. I always leave lectures with a rewarding feeling that I learned something new. Some of my favorite courses were Organic Chemistry 2 with Prof. Cannon and Inorganic Chemistry with Prof Hill.
Through a broad range of courses, I have been able to strengthen vital skills in critical thinking, communication, and understanding social responsibility.
What are your ambitions post-Oxy and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?
After Oxy, I want to pursue a research position at a biotechnology company. I believe that the liberal arts approach to my education has provided excellent preparation for a position like this. Through a broad range of courses, I have been able to strengthen vital skills in critical thinking, communication, and understanding social responsibility.
Mario Jesus Alvarado
Hometown: Redding, CA
Major: chemistry
What was your motivation to major in chemistry?
I chose to major in chemistry because I have always thought it was a fun topic to learn about. My affinity for the subject initially began in high school, when I took multiple chemistry classes at my local community college. Since then, as I continue to take classes at 511爆料, my motivation to expand my chemistry knowledge continues to grow鈥攅specially as I dive further into my area of particular interest, which is organic chemistry.
Can you describe your working relationships with chemistry professors?
During the beginning of my first year at 511爆料, I found that the professors in the chemistry department were amazing. They teach the various topics in such an engaging way, which makes the lectures incredibly fun. In addition, whenever I needed advice regarding advising, research opportunities, course material, and post-undergraduate plans, they have always been available to offer their guidance. They all played a major role in my decision to pursue chemistry further. Some standout classes include both the organic chemistry courses in addition to CHEM 130, or 鈥淎dvanced Placement General Chemistry.鈥 Taking these courses with Professors Duquette, Cannon, and Hill was an enjoyable experience and I highly recommend doing so.
[Research] was an amazing experience because I learned so much regarding how to conduct my own experiments as well as the research world as a whole.
Have you taken part in any student research opportunities at Oxy or elsewhere?
I participated in the REAP program last summer, and I conducted research under Prof. Navarro. To elaborate, in the we focus on finding new synthetic pathways to access a variety of medicinally relevant and bioactive compounds. It was an amazing experience because I learned so much regarding how to conduct my own experiments as well as the research world as a whole. It ultimately gave me an opportunity to expand my chemistry knowledge beyond the borders of a textbook. I am grateful to both the Undergraduate Research Center as well as Professor Navarro and I will continue to conduct research under him throughout my undergraduate career.
What do you find most compelling about studying chemistry?
What I found most compelling regarding studying chemistry is not only the intricacies that come along with it, but also its impact on the world we live in. Each time I learn something new within a lecture, I see the correlation between the subject at hand and its application in satisfying the needs of others. As I progress further through my major, I continue to see how chemistry serves as the foundation for people to live better lives.
As I progress further through my major, I continue to see how chemistry serves as the foundation for people to live better lives.
Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in chemistry?
For any students considering majoring in chemistry, I highly recommend that you think about joining one of the various research groups within the department. Learning chemistry through the lectures is one thing, but through research, you develop an appreciation for the subject and the impact it has on other people. In addition, you are given the opportunity to form close relationships with the faculty who can not only provide amazing guidance, but also give insight into a wide variety of other opportunities relating to chemistry.
To see more Meet Our Majors profiles, visit the main page.