2026 -2027 Illinois Scholars

PhD in Neurobiology
Aileen S. Andrew Foundation ARCS Scholar Award

Genevieve studies methanotrophs, bacteria that consume methane as their source of energy.  Methanotrophs have copper-containing enzymes at their cell membranes that catalyze methane to methanol. Genevieve studies this enzyme across species to gain a fundamental understanding of this process that could later be engineered to directly remove methane from the atmosphere.

Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhousegasthat trapsheat at the earth’s surface, also known as global warming.While natural sources have long generated atmospheric methane,anthropogenic sources have more than doubled the methane contentinthe past two centuries. Methane is the second worstgreenhouse gas butis80x morepotentthanthe first,CO2. The chemical reaction of methane to methanol (CH4àCH3OH) is a difficult reaction that often requires expensive infrastructure operated at high temperature and pressure. However,methantrophs or methane-consumingbacteria usemethane as their source ofenergy, first by converting methane to methanol under ambient conditions. Methanotrophs hail from warm, swampy regions such as marshes, landfills,and natural thermal baths. Some of themethanotrophs I study are extremophiles such as “SolV,”which thrives in the volcanic regionnear Pompei in Italy, and “Yel”from Yellowstone National Park. Both species live at about 131°Fand atthe same acidity level of a sour lemon.(For context, most bacteria prefer98°F and neutral pH 7.)Methanotrophs have copper-containing enzymes at their cell membranes that catalyze methane to methanol. I studythis enzyme across species to gaina fundamental perspective that engineerscould then applytodirectly removingmethane from the

PhD in Neurobiology
Aileen S. Andrew Foundation ARCS Scholar Award

Maggie is researching how hormones act on brain cells to modify reproductive behavior. She is working to identify key molecular processes altered across reproductive stages.

PhD in Physics

Jocelyn Stoller ARCS Foundation Scholar Award

Gina is working to develop scalable methods to connect separated quantum computing devices. Her goal is to provide a basis for future quantum computer networking or distributed quantum computing protocols that can operate within an existing fiber infrastructure.

MD/PhD in Neuroscience
The Brinson Foundation ARCS Scholar Award

Hunter's research focuses on motor neuron plasticity and neurodevelopmental diseases. This research has significant implications for diseases like ALS.

PhD in Physics
ARCS Foundation Scholar Award

Michael's research is dedicated to the study of quantum materials. Most notably, he was responsible for the design and construction of an ultra-high vacuum structure.

PhD in Physics

The Brinson Foundation ARCS Scholar Award

Stephanie Damish is a second-year PhD student in astrophysics.  Her work combines data analysis and instrumentation to advance the next generation of experiments measuring the radiation leftover from the Big Bang, known as the cosmic microwave background (CMB). This work will improve the technology used to study the early universe and deepen our understanding of how the universe came to be.

PhD in Geology
The Brinson Foundation ARCS Scholar Award

Lexie's research uses quantitative models of magma dynamics to forecast volcanic eruptions.

PhD in Materials Science and Engineering
Jones-Whitford ARCS Scholar Award

Bobby studies magnetization dynamics on a nanoscale level. The goal is to demonstrate technology for miniaturized microwave frequency devices in microwave electronics and quantum computers.

PhD in Bioengineering
The Brinson Foundation ARCS Scholar Award

Kevin's research examines how exposure to magnetic fields may alter the chemical reactions inside cells, causing those cells to become stressed and change their behavior.