We are proud to introduce the undergraduate students selected to participate in the 2025 Summer Undergraduate Research Program!
Andrew Aviado, Data Science and Public Health & Society ’28
Project: Machine Learning for Paleoclimatology
Mentor: Bo Li, Statistics and Data Science
Andrew is a rising sophomore from St. Louis, Missouri, double majoring in Data Science and Public Health & Society. He is passionate about using AI and machine learning to address real-world challenges in healthcare, neuroscience, and environmental research. This summer, he is excited to join the Center for the Environment and contribute to research in paleoclimatology by helping develop tools that better understand long-term climate patterns. Outside of academics, Andrew serves as Secretary for the Philippine United Student Organization (PUSO) and is a developer with the Google Developer Group at WashU. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, singing, playing guitar, and cycling around campus.
Andrew Rothschild Averbach, Environmental Science ’27
Project: Urban Mining Innovation
Mentor: Hongxi Yin, Architecture
Andrew is a rising junior majoring in statistics, interested in how computational analyses of large data sets can reveal details about the environment. He has experience working with remote sensing datasets in forestry applications and is excited to apply these skills in urban contexts. In his free time, Andrew enjoys backpacking, foraging for wild mushrooms, and playing saxophone.
Bethany Bao, Chemistry and Environmental Science ’27
Project: Nanomaterials for Hydrogen Production
Mentors: Bryce Sadtler and Ashlynn Berry, Chemistry
Bethany is a rising junior studying chemistry and environmental science from Shanghai, China. She loves learning about a wide variety of subjects, especially when they pertain how the natural environment and society interact. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, going outside, and playing frisbee.
Rain Cao, Mathematics and Economics ’27
Project: Emissions from CO2 Removal
Mentor: Lu Xu, Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering
Rain is a rising junior from Changsha, China, majoring in Mathematics and Economics with a minor in Environmental Studies. He is interested in environmental economics and applying economic analysis in environmental research. He is specifically interested in the costs and benefits of different environmental remediation approaches. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to music and watching movies. He is excited to participate in the research this summer!
Robert Catalano, Chemical Engineering ’28
Project: Monitoring Lead in Drinking Water
Mentors: Daniel Giammar and Zehua Wang, Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering
Robert is a rising sophomore chemical engineering student from St. Louis, Missouri. In his free time, he likes to play tennis, go to the gym, and play the cello. He is currently a member of the WashU Symphony Orchestra. He is so excited to be doing research this summer at WashU.
Danielle Cuthbert, Microbiology ’26
Project: Environmental Microbes and Soil Health
Mentors: Arpita Bose and Tahina Ranaivoarisoa, Biology
Danielle is a rising senior from San Francisco, CA, majoring in Microbiology with a minor in English Literature. She hopes to become a microbiologist in the future. At WashU, she’s a member of the track & field team, works as a Facility Host at the Sumers Rec Center, and participates in microbiology research on campus. In her free time, she enjoys baking and spending time outdoors. She is excited to join the Bose Lab this summer!
Jordyn Ederer, Environmental Policy ’26
Project: Climate Change & Forced Migration
Mentors: Mitrah Naseh and Saria Bechara, Social Work
Jordyn is a rising senior from St. Louis earning a degree in Environmental Policy with a minor in Anthropology: Global Health and Environment. Jordyn has worked with the Office of Sustainability in multiple different intern positions and has explored her passion for social justice and environmental policy through an array of multifaceted perspectives. Jordyn is extremely excited and honored to be granted the opportunity to research in the Climate Change and Forced Migration lab this summer.
Ellie Hockman, Global Studies and Environmental Analysis ’26
Project: Affordable Housing and Health
Mentors: Rodrigo Reis, Alexandre Silva, and Milena Franco, Public Health
Meghan Jachna, Environmental Biology ’27
Project: Understanding Environmental Asthma Triggers
Mentors: Kelly Harris, Lindsay Spell, and Madelyn Yoo, Public Health Sciences
Meghan is a rising junior studying Environmental Biology. She is fascinated by the intersection between health and the environment and hopes to expand upon her understanding of these critical topics during her time in the Health Equity, Opportunity and Education (HOPE) Lab with Dr. Harris this summer. She is from St. Louis and is excited to contribute to causes of environmental justice and health within her hometown. On campus, she is also involved with the Office of Sustainability Communication Team, Student Sustainability Board, and APO service organization. During her free time she enjoys running and spending as much time outdoors as possible hiking, camping or biking with family and friends.
Kira Larner, Chemical Engineering ’27
Project: Indoor Air Microbes
Mentors: Jenna Ditto and Yingxi Lu, Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering
Kira is a rising junior from San Diego, California majoring in Chemical Engineering. She is passionate about using her foundation in chemical engineering to address environmental issues, particularly air quality. Additionally, she competes on WashU’s Cross Country and Track & Field teams and volunteers as a coach with Bear Cubs. She can’t wait to spend her summer conducting research in St. Louis!
Molly Levitt, Environmental Policy ’27
Project: Vulnerable Coastal Community Resilience
Mentor: Catalina Freixas, Architecture
Molly is a rising junior at WashU, majoring in Environmental Policy with a minor in Statistics. She is currently involved in a research project with WashU and the Missouri Botanical Garden focused on community-based conservation practices in Madagascar. Outside of class, Molly is a member of the national service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega and volunteers as a tutor for local elementary school students. She is passionate about community engagement, environmental health, and exploring how the built environment shapes daily life.
Eden Patterson, Environmental Analysis and Anthropology ’26
Project: Disasters and Democracy Study
Mentor: Laura Brugger, Social Work
Eden is a rising senior from Madison, Wisconsin, double majoring in Environmental Analysis and Anthropology. She is passionate about transportation design, environmental justice, and policy. On campus, she volunteers with VERDE, teaching elementary and middle school students STEM-related topics. She enjoys hiking, matcha tea, jazz music, and listening to The NYT Daily podcast. She is very excited to be a part of the Center for Environment Research Program this summer, working in Dr. Brugger’s lab.
Matthew Rao, Computer Science + Math and Chemistry ’27
Project: Simulating Chemical Interfaces
Mentors: Robert Wexler and Junchi Chen, Chemistry
Matthew is a rising junior from Carmel, IN, double majoring in Computer Science + Math and Chemistry. His interests involve leveraging technology to contribute to global health, clinical care, and sustainability outcomes. On campus, he is involved in the executive board for Asian American Association and Alpha Kappa Psi. He is excited to be part of Dr. Wexler’s research team for the summer!
Eliza Ross, Geophysical Engineering ’26 at Colorado School of Mines
Project: Studying Permafrost-Wildfire Interaction with Radar Remote Sensing
Mentors: Roger Michaelides and Alex Nguyen, Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences
Eliza is a rising senior from Pawling, New York majoring in Geophysical Engineering at Colorado School of Mines. She is excited to join the Center for the Environment to explore the applications of satellite remote sensing for the study of permafrost degradation and recovery following wildfires. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, backpacking, and reading.
Rowan Sandvig, Computer Science + Math ’28
Project: Computer Vision for Ecology
Mentors: Nathan Jacobs and Daniel Cher, Computer Science
Rowan is a rising sophomore from Des Moines, Iowa, studying Computer Science + Math. She loves hiking, running, and all things outdoors, and her passion for the environment is an extension of that. At WashU, she is the treasurer of the gymnastics club and has a radio show on KWUR. She is excited to spend the summer in St. Louis!