undergraduates

51�Թ��'s Chem-E-Car team wins international poster design competition

Susan Glairon — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 22:55:47 +0000

51�Թ��'s Chem-E-Car team wins international poster design competition Susan Glairon Thu, 11/06/2025 - 15:55

Susan Glairon

51�Թ��’s Chem-E-Car team took first place in poster design at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ 27th Annual ChemE Car Competition, surpassing 56 teams from around the world. The competition was held in Boston on Nov. 2.

The team—chemical and biological engineering undergraduates William Bierzychudek, Colin McElroy, McKenzie Mazur, Joshua Sherritt and Megan Sullivan—created the poster to showcase the research behind their vehicle, “Don’t Zinc and Drive,” which is powered by zinc-air batteries and uses an exothermic catalytic decomposition reaction mechanism to stop.

"Initially we were completely surprised, and then excitement and gratitude hit," said Bierzychudek, a chemical engineering senior and the team's captain. "It felt like recognition of the hours we had spent continuously redesigning our car, applying theory and diagnosing and fixing countless errors."

The competition challenges teams to design a shoebox-sized car powered by chemical reactions—such as a battery or internal combustion engine—that must stop at a specified distance using a time-dependent chemical reaction. The target distance is announced just before the competition, and the team whose car stops closest to that point wins.

Throughout the year, 51�Թ�� students designed, built and tested their car concepts in the chemical engineering undergraduate teaching lab. 51�Թ��’s car finished just a few meters shy of the target line, said Assistant Teaching Professor Ehsan Keyvani, the team’s faculty advisor.

“Congratulations to the entire team for their outstanding achievement, dedication and innovative spirit; a true reflection of 51�Թ��’s excellence in chemical engineering education and teamwork,” Keyvani said.

Bierzychudek noted that being transparent about the obstacles they faced—and how they overcame them—helped set their poster apart.

"Getting so many moving parts working can feel like a chore, but acknowledging and finding gratitude in those things was crucial to our success," he said. "It showed we were engaged not only with our project but with the process of struggling and learning."

In April 51�Թ�� students won the AIChE Chem-E-Car competition at the Rocky Mountain regional held in Bozeman, Montana. At that event, "Don't Zinc and Drive," took first place in both the car competition and the poster presentation; the team's second car, "Ralphie," placed third in the car competition. The first-place win secured 51�Թ�� a spot at the AIChE competition in Boston.

"There’s definitely a little imposter syndrome when you show up to a conference filled with big international schools and premier US colleges," Bierzychudek added. "We're grateful for the opportunity to represent our school on such a big scale and hope this sparks excitement for future CU Chem-E-Car teams."

The club is supported by funding from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and has received Engineering Excellence Fund support in the past.

Students interested in joining 51�Թ��'s Chem-E-Club can send an email to chemecar@colorado.edu. The club can also be followed on Instagram at @boulderchemecar.

The win came at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ international Chem-E-Car competition in Boston, where 51�Թ��’s poster stood out among 56 teams.

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Arianna McCarty reaches new heights with Astronaut Scholarship

Susan Glairon — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 22:03:19 +0000

Arianna McCarty reaches new heights with Astronaut Scholarship Susan Glairon Tue, 11/04/2025 - 15:03

Susan Glairon

Arianna McCarty, a chemical and biological engineering senior, has distinguished herself through a remarkable combination of three top academic and research achievements.

Most recently McCarty received the 2025 scholarship from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF), an organization founded by the Mercury 7 astronauts and supported by successive generations of NASA astronauts. She previously earned the Boettcher Scholarship, fully funding her for four years of undergraduate study at a Colorado university, as well as the Goldwater Scholarship, awarded to sophomores and juniors actively conducting research in mathematics, science and engineering.

Astronaut scholars are awarded up to $15,000 per year for education-related expenses and may be awarded for up to two years of undergraduate work. The merit-based ASF scholarship is the largest known monetary award of its kind given in the United States to science and engineering undergraduate students.

What does this newest award mean to you?

Receiving the astronaut scholarship has been one of the most meaningful honors of my academic journey because it recognizes my technical and research accomplishments and connects me to an extraordinary community. The other astronaut scholars are some of the most inspiring, passionate and driven people I’ve ever met, and many have become close friends.

What research have you been involved in?

My research journey began in high school, when I worked with the Layer Lab at the BioFrontiers Institute to study computational genomics. Later, thanks to the support of the Boettcher Foundation, I joined The Clark Lab at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, where I explored the respiratory microbiome and investigated how native bacteria in the respiratory tract can protect against pathogens. Most recently, I joined the Burdick Biomaterials and Biofabrication Laboratory in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (ChBE) through the Young Scholars Summer Research Program led by Distinguished Professor Robert Davis.

If you go

What: Meet astronaut Joe Tanner, a four-time astronaut who flew aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis, Discovery, Endeavour and Atlantis again.

Arianna McCarty, a chemical and biological engineering senior, will be honored as an astronaut scholar at this event.

When: Thursday, Nov. 6, 4:30 p.m.

Where: UMC 386 (Aspen Room)

Register for the event

My work focuses on engineering heart tissues to model focal cardiac fibrosis, a condition in which the heart wall stiffens, impairing cardiac function and potentially leading to heart failure. By replicating this disease in the lab, we aim to better understand its mechanisms and evaluate potential therapeutics to advance treatment options.

Which organizations, clubs or volunteer work are you engaged in?

As a course assistant for multiple core ChBE courses, I work to make challenging material more accessible, developing recitations and creating custom practice resources to support student success. I also serve as a peer ambassador for the department, collaborating with faculty to enhance courses and expand departmental programming. Beyond engineering, I find balance performing in theatrical productions, playing a variety of instruments and authoring a collection of haiku. I also stay engaged through the Boettcher Foundation, a philanthropic foundation dedicated to strengthening Colorado by fostering the potential of its residents.

What accomplishment are you most proud of academically?

I'm most proud of my growth as a scientist, learning to ask the right questions and design research aimed at real-world impact. From studying the respiratory microbiome to engineering heart tissues, I've developed both the technical skills and scientific curiosity to contribute meaningfully to human health.

What has been your biggest challenge during your engineering education?

One of the biggest challenges in my engineering education has been learning to say “no.” I’ve always been deeply curious and eager to take on new opportunities. But, I’ve come to understand time as the most valuable resource, and how we choose to spend it defines the quality of our work and growth.

Arianna McCarty presenting her research at the 2024 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) annual meeting in San Diego.

What’s next?

I'm applying to PhD programs in bioengineering, with a focus on research at the intersection of tissue engineering and immunoengineering. I am particularly interested in exploring how the immune system and other biological systems, such as the microbiome, can be leveraged to support wound healing and tissue regeneration. Ultimately, I hope to become a professor at an R1 research university, where I can lead a lab pursuing novel research in this area and continue mentoring students—a role I’ve come to deeply enjoy through my experiences as a course assistant.

Anything else you would like to add or share?

I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has supported and believed in me along the way. In particular, I want to thank Kenneth M. Monks, PhD, Assistant Professor Ryan Layer, Assistant Professor Sarah Clark, Professor Jason Burdick and my brother, Bryan. Their trust, mentorship and encouragement have meant more to me than words can express.

Arianna McCarty, a chemical and biological engineering senior, has distinguished herself through a remarkable combination of academic and research excellence, earning the Astronaut, Boettcher and Goldwater scholarships. Her research spans computational genomics, the respiratory microbiome and tissue engineering aimed at improving heart health.

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Shields Lab and SPUR student team up to advance microrobot drug delivery

Susan Glairon — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 20:46:07 +0000

Shields Lab and SPUR student team up to advance microrobot drug delivery Susan Glairon Fri, 10/03/2025 - 14:46

SPUR student Joshua Smith joined researchers in the Shields Lab to develop microrobots that actively deliver drugs to the lungs—an innovative approach that could transform treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome.

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Congratulations to our 2025 ChBE department undergraduate awardees!

Susan Glairon — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 16:56:13 +0000

Congratulations to our 2025 ChBE department undergraduate awardees! Susan Glairon Wed, 04/16/2025 - 10:56

The Chemical and Biological Engineering Department awards recognize students in the department who have excelled in one or more areas. Winners are selected by the department’s Undergraduate Awards Committee.

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Research program sparks student’s transfer to 51�Թ��

Susan Glairon — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 22:21:52 +0000

Research program sparks student’s transfer to 51�Թ�� Susan Glairon Thu, 02/13/2025 - 15:21

Susan Glairon

Kate Lamb stands between YSSRP participants Paloma Suárez Davila (left), who attends Colorado Mesa University and Runa Kersten-Guiler, who attends the University of New Hampshire.

After a summer in 51�Թ��’s Young Scholars Summer Research Program (YSSRP), Kate Lamb was inspired to change her path, transferring from community college to 51�Թ��’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering as a biological engineering major.

YSSRP’s nine-week program prepares undergraduate students for research careers and graduate study through hands-on experience and professional development. Open to all qualified applicants, the program strongly encourages participation from students underrepresented in engineering and those from schools with limited research opportunities.

You started classes at 51�Թ�� in January. How’s it going so far?

It’s good! I took chemistry, physics and biology at Arapahoe Community College (ACC), so I am well-prepared for upper-division coursework.

How did you learn about this program?

After reviewing my classes and interests, my career counselor at ACC thought I might like engineering and recommended the YSSRP. I feel really fortunate that I was accepted to the program.

What were your academic plans before participating in the YSSRP?

I was planning to major in math, though I wasn’t sure where I wanted to study. I really love math and biology and have an interest in medicine, but I wasn’t sure how they connected. That’s what drew me to biological engineering at 51�Թ��—it brings everything together.

What did you enjoy about your YSSRP research project?

My project introduced me to synthetic biology, a field that combines biology and engineering, which I find fascinating. It involves designing and building new biological systems or modifying cells to give them new traits or to produce useful products.

I worked with two PhD students to optimize a biosensor—a protein that detects biological substances, and converts that detection into a measurable signal. Biosensors have the potential to be used as non-invasive medical diagnostic tools and even as therapeutic devices. Our goal was to improve T7 RNA polymerase biosensors, and after extensive troubleshooting, we finally got results that worked. That moment was incredibly gratifying and showed me how much persistence goes into research. Our results formed the basis of a paper that was accepted for publication.

How did participating in the YSSRP influence you to switch from math to engineering?

It opened a door to a way that I could combine all my different interests. Previously I thought I had to choose one specific discipline like biology or math or chemistry. After I started working in the lab, I began learning about the degrees offered at 51�Թ��. Now I'm taking differential equations and organic chemistry—different areas of study that I didn’t know could fit together in one degree program.

Why did you decide to attend 51�Թ��?

The graduate students who mentored me, and Dr. (Rob) Davis and Dr. (Tim) Whitehead took the time to discuss what studying at 51�Թ�� would be like and how the degree programs are structured. The opportunity to continue doing research was a big part of my decision to attend CU.

What was your favorite part of participating in the YSSRP?

The research was exciting, but there were other elements of the program that I really enjoyed. We had lunches with professors and weekly talks on different topics such as working in industry, intellectual property and graduate school opportunities. It made me think how cool it would be to be sitting in one of those professor’s classes.

As a group we had regular outings, for example, we went hiking, whitewater rafting and bowling. I made a couple of close friends in the program who worked in labs down the hall from me, and we had a really fun time exploring 51�Թ�� together. I only have good things to say about the program and its impact on me.

What are your plans for the future?

I’d like to stay in research, and graduate school seems like a strong possibility. I have ideas that I want to explore, and I hope to contribute meaningfully to developing diagnostics and therapeutics that will improve patient care.

To learn more, visit the YSSRP website.

After participating in 51�Թ��’s Young Scholars Summer Research Program (YSSRP), Kate Lamb discovered her passion for biological engineering, leading her to transfer from community college to 51�Թ��.

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Updated major offers students flexibility in exploring biological engineering courses

Anonymous — Thu, 30 May 2024 19:42:32 +0000

Updated major offers students flexibility in exploring biological engineering courses Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 05/30/2024 - 13:42

Susan Glairon

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering is updating one of its undergraduate majors to offer students greater flexibility in exploring biological engineering-focused courses.

Starting in August and effective for incoming students, the Bachelor of Science degree in chemical and biological engineering (CBEN) will be renamed biological engineering (BIEN).

Students currently enrolled in the CBEN program will complete the CBEN curriculum and receive a CBEN degree. There will be no changes to the chemical engineering major.

Changing the major’s name from CBEN to BIEN was prompted by years of feedback from students, alumni and employers, said Teaching Professor Wendy Young, the department’s associate chair for undergraduate education.

“For years, students and alumni have requested more and earlier biological engineering-focused courses in the CBEN curriculum,” she said.

The new degree will have a pre-med track for those who want to pursue medical school. It will also allow students to work in fields such as biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, tissue engineering, sustainable biofuels, vaccine development and more.

Leaving “chemical” in the degree name resulted in more accreditation requirements, limiting students’ flexibility in upper-level engineering courses.

The BIEN curriculum will keep core classes such as Material and Energy Balances, Fluids, Heat and Mass Transfer, Thermodynamics, Biokinetics, Biomaterials, Lab and Biodesign, Young noted.

"All of those courses are highly valued by employers," she said. “However, BIEN students will have more flexibility to choose high-level technical engineering electives of most interest to them."

Key curriculum changes

The name change to BIEN will include the following curriculum changes:

The Physics 2 and associated lab requirement will be removed. A new sophomore-level Fundamentals of Biotechnology course will be taken in lieu of those classes.
Two chemical engineering-focused, upper-level core course requirements (Separations, Process Control) will be removed, allowing students to pick from a broader range of courses, including Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Drug Delivery, Tissue Engineering, Immuno Engineering, Protein Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Separations, Process Control and other courses.
The two-semester senior capstone “design” sequence will be changed to “biodesign” to allow students to focus more on design of bio-focused processes, products and equipment using appropriate simulation software.
New chemical engineering and biological engineering minors are being created.

Starting in August, the BS degree in chemical and biological engineering (CBEN) will be renamed biological engineering (BIEN).

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Updated major offers students flexibility in exploring biological engineering courses

UROP's annual Sidewalk Symposium

Anonymous — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 19:45:00 +0000

UROP's annual Sidewalk Symposium Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/24/2022 - 13:45

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) is seeking students to participate in their annual sidewalk symposium during Research and Innovation Week 2022. The symposium – set for Oct. 18 – invites undergraduates to create and share their research with chalk art on campus walkways in collaboration with a professional artist. The event is open to undergraduates at any stage of their project timeline to participate.

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Katelynn Thammavong: A Community Leader

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 21:09:29 +0000

Katelynn Thammavong: A Community Leader Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 04/29/2022 - 15:09

Grace Wilson

Graduating senior Katelynn Thammavong (ChemBioEngr '22) has been recognized by the College of Engineering and Applied Science with a Community Impact award for her work to connect and empower Asian-heritage STEM students through the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) at the university and national level.

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ChBE students earn half of the college's top honors this semester

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 18:19:05 +0000

ChBE students earn half of the college's top honors this semester Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/26/2022 - 12:19

Jonathan Raab

Students from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering earned half of the 24 total undergraduate awards offered by the College of Engineering and Applied Science this semester.

“Our students have set the standard for academic and community achievements this year, no question about it,” said Denver Business Challenge Endowed Professor and department chair Will Medlin. “From success in the classroom to undergraduate research to social impact, our students embody the best of the department and the class of 2022. Further, having both the Silver Medal Award winner and the Outstanding Undergraduate of the College come from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering is a huge honor and a testament to our strengths as a center for engineering education.”

Academic Engagement Award

Taylor Buechel, BS in Chemical & Biological Engineering
Braden Carroll, BS in Chemical & Biological Engineering
Jenna Nielson, BS in Chemical & Biological Engineering

Community Impact Award

Carrie Taylor Bishop, BS in Chemical & Biological Engineering
Katelynn Thammavong, BS in Chemical & Biological Engineering

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) Award

Jacqueline Rodriguez Mora, BS in Chemical & Biological Engineering

Research Award

Julia Bendorf, BS in Chemical & Biological Engineering
Cyrus Moezzi Haas, BS in Chemical & Biological Engineering
Isabella Horton, BS in Chemical & Biological Engineering
Jackson Peoples, BS in Chemical & Biological Engineering

Outstanding Undergraduate of the College

Cyrus Moezzi Haas, BS in Chemical & Biological Engineering

Silver Medal Award

Jenna Nielson, BS in Chemical & Biological Engineering

Students from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering earned half of the 24 total undergraduate awards offered by the College of Engineering and Applied Science this semester.

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Nielson earns Silver Medal Award from the Colorado Engineering Council

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 17:59:10 +0000

Nielson earns Silver Medal Award from the Colorado Engineering Council Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/26/2022 - 11:59

Jonathan Raab

Jenna Nielson

The Colorado Engineering Council selected Jenna Nielson, a senior majoring in chemical and biological engineering, as this year’s Silver Medal Award recipient. The Silver Medal Award is one of the highest honors an engineering student in Colorado can receive. Nielson also earned an Academic Engagement Award this semester.

Denver Business Challenge Endowed Professor and department chair Will Medlin, Assistant Professor Adam Holewinski and Teaching Associate Professor Wendy Young nominated Nielson.

Nielson’s academic and personal accomplishments include extensive volunteer work with the Engineering Excellence Fund (EEF) as both a student board member and chair. She also worked as a research assistant in the 51�Թ�� Experimental Electronics and Manufacturing (BEEM) lab and as a course assistant in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering.

Reflecting on her accomplishments, she offered some advice for those considering a career in engineering.

“I would advise future students to establish boundaries between school and their personal lives,” Nielson said. “Personally, I made Saturdays my ‘off-day,’ and it was a great chance to recover from the previous week. I would also recommend exploring as many new things as possible, and to not rule out subjects before giving them a chance. I enjoyed the opportunities to see what other engineers were doing through my work for the EEF, and I would definitely suggest doing something similar.”

Although Nielson originally intended to pursue a career in a biology-related field, she was inspired to change her focus when she recognized the energy industry’s impact on climate change.

"I will work to reduce the impacts that the energy industry has on the environment, either by mitigating the effects of traditional energy sources or working to improve renewable energy options,” Nielson said. She recently accepted a process engineer position with Phillips 66 in Hoboken, New Jersey.

“Jenna is a fantastic student, and this recognition is well-deserved,” said Teaching Associate Professor Wendy Young. “While maintaining impressive grades at CU, Jenna has simultaneously been involved in an enormous number of activities ranging from years of research, chairing the EEF Committee and serving as an outstanding course assistant for multiple classes. In fact, her excellence as a course instructor also earned her the college’s Academic Engagement Award. We here at the department are thrilled she earned this prestigious award and know she will do well as she continues her engineering journey.”

Nielson credited family, faculty and friends for her success during her time at the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering.

“I'd like to thank my family for their unwavering support throughout my degree and my professors for their lessons and advice,” Nielson said. “I also would not have survived this major without my friends and roommates, who always made my days better. I'm also grateful to the EEF board and my graduate student for the friendships made while working long hours.”

Students from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering have also earned the Silver Medal Award in 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2016. The department will honor the class of 2022 on Thursday, May 5.

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undergraduates

51�Թ���'s Chem-E-Car team wins international poster design competition

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Arianna McCarty reaches new heights with Astronaut Scholarship

What does this newest award mean to you?

What research have you been involved in?

Which organizations, clubs or volunteer work are you engaged in?

What accomplishment are you most proud of academically?

What has been your biggest challenge during your engineering education?

What’s next?

Anything else you would like to add or share?

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Shields Lab and SPUR student team up to advance microrobot drug delivery

Off

Congratulations to our 2025 ChBE department undergraduate awardees!

Off

Research program sparks student’s transfer to 51�Թ���

You started classes at 51�Թ��� in January. How’s it going so far?

How did you learn about this program?

What were your academic plans before participating in the YSSRP?

What did you enjoy about your YSSRP research project?

How did participating in the YSSRP influence you to switch from math to engineering?

Why did you decide to attend 51�Թ���?

What was your favorite part of participating in the YSSRP?

What are your plans for the future?

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Updated major offers students flexibility in exploring biological engineering courses

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UROP's annual Sidewalk Symposium

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Katelynn Thammavong: A Community Leader

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ChBE students earn half of the college's top honors this semester

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Nielson earns Silver Medal Award from the Colorado Engineering Council

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51�Թ��'s Chem-E-Car team wins international poster design competition

Research program sparks student’s transfer to 51�Թ��

You started classes at 51�Թ�� in January. How’s it going so far?

Why did you decide to attend 51�Թ��?