Innovation in Action: Honors Students Explore Chemical Engineering Breakthroughs

By Gary Hyatt, WSU Honors College, gary.hyatt1@wsu.edu

This summer marked the launch of an exciting new initiative for the Honors College at Washington State University: the Voiland Summer  Research Internship for Honors Students in Chemical Engineering. Thanks to the generosity of Gene and Linda Voiland, two Honors students were selected to remain in Pullman over the summer and devote themselves to full-time research in the Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering. Each student received a $5,000 stipend to help cover living expenses, enabling them to focus fully on their work with faculty mentors.

Dean M. Grant Norton emphasized the significance of the program for both students and faculty, noting, “Undergraduate research enhances students’ intellectual and professional growth by fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills—abilities that are more essential than ever in an AI-powered world.”

One of the inaugural recipients, Anita Valdez, a Chemical Engineering major from Pasco, Washington, worked in the O.H. Reaugh Laboratory for Oil and Gas Research under the mentorship of Dr. Su Ha. Her project focused on the mass transfer efficiency of a carbon absorption process, using sodium hydroxide in a packed column with small springs to improve gas-liquid interactions, with the goal of optimizing parameters to make carbon capture systems more efficient. Anita described her daily work in the lab, from setting up experiments to carefully measuring flow rates and analyzing results, as both challenging and rewarding. The internship gave her invaluable exposure to the problem-solving process inherent in real-world research, as well as insight into the decisions and skills required to pursue graduate studies. She reflected that the WSU Honors College had prepared her well for this experience, providing both a strong academic foundation and opportunities to develop leadership and teamwork skills.

For Anita, the internship was also a personal growth experience. Immersed in a highly technical environment, she learned to ask questions confidently, collaborate closely with graduate students, and navigate setbacks in experimental design, all while building confidence in her abilities. “This summer helped me see what a research career could look like,” she said. “It showed me the dedication required, but also the excitement of discovering new solutions and contributing to projects with real-world impact.”

The second intern, Suzanne Gelston, recently graduated from WSU with a degree in Chemical Engineering and will continue her studies this fall as a Ph.D. student. She conducted her internship in the Biofilm Engineering Laboratory under Dr. Haluk Beyenal, working on the lab’s innovative electrochemical bandage (e-bandage). This device produces hydrogen peroxide directly at wound sites, offering continuous, antibiotic-free treatment for chronic infections. Suzanne’s research focused on optimizing the carbon fabric electrodes that drive hydrogen peroxide production, investigating how electrode surface area and preparation techniques influenced performance, and adapting the e-bandage for wounds of varying shapes and sizes.

Suzanne described the internship as a transformative continuation of her undergraduate research experience. She performed electrochemical tests such as cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry, refined protocols for scaling up the device, and presented her findings to the research team. The summer allowed her to develop both technical expertise and confidence in communicating scientific results, deepening her commitment to advancing bioelectrochemical systems in her doctoral studies. “Being able to focus entirely on research this summer, without distractions, was invaluable,” she said. “It gave me the space to experiment, learn from mistakes, and see progress in real time. I also learned a lot from collaborating with graduate students and faculty mentors, which is shaping how I approach my Ph.D. work.”

Su Ha, the George Austin Endowed Director of the Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, noting, “Undergraduate research provides students with the opportunity to apply the fundamental knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world problems, while also enabling faculty to offer meaningful mentorship that can positively shape students’ long-term career paths.”

Both Anita and Suzanne expressed deep gratitude to Gene and Linda Voiland for making the internship possible. For Anita, it was an opportunity to explore research as a potential career path while gaining practical, hands-on experience. For Suzanne, it was a chance to continue advancing an important project she is passionate about while preparing for her Ph.D. studies. The Voiland Summer Research Internship is already creating impact by bridging classroom learning with real-world applications and giving Honors students an early opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking work in chemical engineering. With continued support, this program promises to expand opportunities for future students and further WSU’s reputation for cultivating innovation, leadership, and excellence in engineering.

Leadership Experience: Oxford — Honors Students Shine on the World Stage

By Gary Hyatt, WSU Honors College, gary.hyatt1@wsu.edu

This summer marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Honors College at Washington State University, as students traveled to England to take part in the first-ever Leadership Experience: Oxford. Thanks to the generosity of donors to the Dean’s Notable Achievement Fund and the Honors College Development Fund, participants spent 6 weeks immersed in the culture and academic traditions of one of the world’s most prestigious universities.

The idea for the program was brought to life by Dean M. Grant Norton, who discovered the Oxford pathway during a visit to a peer institution and saw how transformative such an experience could be for WSU Honors students. With the support of alumni and friends of the college, his vision became reality this year. “Studying abroad is important because it promotes personal growth by fostering independence and confidence, enhances career prospects by providing valuable skills like adaptability and intercultural communication, and expands world perspective through cultural immersion. Studying at Oxford University was a unique and transformative experience for each of the students.”

That promise quickly became reality for Aarya Bajaj, a sophomore from Hyderabad, India, studying Biology on the pre-med track. Aarya chose to participate because Oxford’s tutorial system—built on one-on-one, research-driven sessions with faculty—was exactly the kind of challenge she sought. Her focus was on psychological disorders, a subject that allowed her to combine her interests in both biology and psychology. “The tutorial style was unlike anything I had experienced before—it demanded independence, deep research, and the ability to defend my ideas,” she said. One of her most memorable moments was collecting research in the Radcliffe Camera, a library at the heart of Oxford’s historic campus. “Studying there made me feel connected to something much bigger than myself. It gave me an even greater appreciation for the pursuit of knowledge.” The experience also strengthened her determination to attend medical school and pursue her dream of becoming a trauma surgeon.

For Maya Nash, a neuroscience major from Denver, Oxford was equally transformative. She had long admired many of the scholars who teach there, and the chance to learn in the same city was irresistible. “The tutorial system the University of Oxford uses truly taught me how to take my learning into my own hands and how to think more deeply about many topics,” she explained. But beyond the academics, Maya found joy in Oxford’s culture and traditions. One highlight was attending a formal dinner at Magdalen College alongside her peers. “We had a lot of fun that night, and I made many lifelong friends,” she recalled. A lifelong dancer and teacher, Maya also sought out classes from different instructors across the city, bringing fresh inspiration back to her own students at home. Reflecting on the summer, she said, “Oxford really showed me a new perspective of what learning looks like and helped me fall back in love with learning. Personally, I grew so much as a person in Oxford and feel like I am more confident and grounded following this experience.”

Elise Opheim, an English major in her final year, used the program to explore her passion for creative writing while preparing for graduate school. She worked closely with her Oxford tutor on a collection of short stories, several of which now form part of her Honors thesis. For Elise, Oxford was not only about the work she produced but also about the inspiration she found in her surroundings and peers. She vividly remembered a day trip to Cambridge, where she and her classmates joined students from around the world to explore the city and even try punting on the river. “It was surreal to be treated like an Oxford

student, even though we were getting poked fun at good-naturedly while on a boat,” she said with a smile. More importantly, the summer gave her clarity about her future. “Being around so many talented individuals who were doing exactly what I had dreamed of made it all feel more tangible. I had been iffy on applying to Oxford for graduate school before, as it seemed like a long shot, but now I absolutely will be doing so.”

All of the students expressed heartfelt gratitude to the donors who made this new program possible. “Your support allowed me to study at one of the most prestigious universities in the world, something I never could have imagined this early in my academic journey,” Aarya said. Elise echoed that sentiment: “I didn’t think I’d ever be able to study abroad during my time at WSU… the Oxford experience was everything I could’ve asked for.” Maya added, “Your support has provided irreplicable experiences and knowledge that will stay with me the rest of my life.”

The program also drew high praise from Oxford faculty and staff, who shared how impressed they were with WSU Honors students. They noted that the students were not only academically talented but also poised, thoughtful, and engaged — qualities that set them apart in an already competitive environment. Dean Norton reflected with pride on the feedback he received: “These students are outstanding representatives of the very best of Washington State University and the Honors College.”

The success of this first summer points toward a promising future. The Honors College hopes to continue and expand the Leadership Experience: Oxford each year, offering more students the chance to challenge themselves academically and personally in an environment unlike any other. With the generosity of donors and the vision of Dean Norton, Washington State University is ensuring that its Honors students not only thrive on campus but also step confidently onto the world stage.

Office of Undergraduate Research Fellowship Recipient: Cole Wilson

By Gary Hyatt, WSU Honors College, gary.hyatt1@wsu.edu

Name: Cole Wilson

Year: Senior

Major: Computer Science

Hometown: Olympia, WA

Name of the fellowship received: Office of Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

A brief description of your research project:

I’m working with Dr. Mehdi Hosseinzadeh in the Safe and Intelligent Autonomous Systems Laboratory to model adaptive bitrate algorithms using neural networks. Streaming companies such as YouTube and Netflix often take up a lot of bandwidth and slow down the network. To prioritize user experience, they adaptively change video quality based on complex algorithms. This means that while one user might have a good experience watching a video, other users on the rest of the network might experience slow traffic. By understanding and simulating these complicated algorithms using neural networks, we can then throttle individual applications to help promote overall network fairness. The work I’m doing hopes to establish a basic platform to assess this technique.

How has participating in undergraduate research shaped your future goals?

Participating in undergraduate research has been very helpful to me! First, it is a different sort of environment than being in class. You can quickly learn and apply knowledge to real-world problems rather than more theoretical problems or exams. I believe that participating in undergraduate research helps prepare me for industry and a career after undergrad. Doing research is teaching me how to work with others and communicate issues and ideas effectively, as well as how to present my findings in an easy-to-understand way. Additionally, having prior research experience can really help you stand out against other applicants for a job or internship!

How would you describe your Honors College experience at WSU?

My Honors College experience at WSU has been fantastic. During my freshman year, I took part in the First Year Experience seminar classes, and I always looked forwards to them. Being in a smaller group of peers where communication and collaboration was encouraged helped me make new friends and feel more at home at WSU. I also love the opportunity to take unique and interesting classes to satisfy my core credits. I’d strongly recommend Honors to any motivated student.