The Graduates

Congratulations to the Fellows who graduated this year! You all will go on to do amazing things, thank you for being a part of the URF family.

Kilia Brawand | Biology Major

My name is Kilia Brawand, and I am graduating with a Biology degree (Ecology/Evolutionary emphasis), and a triple minor in Chemistry, Statistics, and Wildlife Science. My dream since I was a little girl was to become a marine biologist, and although I haven't accomplished that quite yet, my time at USU has given me such a good base knowledge for my future! I truly have learned so much and grown as a person throughout my time at USU, and the URF program has also been such a good asset. I've learned so much within the field of research and I definitely feel prepared to take on the challenge of graduate school. Thank you to the URF program and to USU, I can't wait for my next chapter!

Jeremy Case | Biotechnology Major

Growing up in Southern Idaho, Jeremy grew to love animal agriculture. He decided to attend Utah State University to further his education with its strong research and agricultural opportunities. During his time at USU, he has been a member of the collegiate western equestrian team, the Honors Program, and an undergraduate researcher in the Benninghoff Research Lab. In his free time, Jeremy enjoys spending time with friends, riding horses, skiing, hiking, quilting, and sewing his own clothing designs. He is graduating with a bachelor’s in Biotechnology, a certificate in Fashion Studies, and minors in Chemistry and Biology. Jeremy is excited to begin veterinary school this fall, with hopes of becoming a mixed-animal or emergency room practitioner.

Caitlynn Clawson | Mathematics/Statistics Education Major

It's funny how time can pass so slowly and so quickly at the same time. In some ways it feels like only yesterday when I was a new freshman, excited and curious with next to no idea what "math research" even meant. And yet, with so much that has happened since - from participating in other people's research projects to trying to start my own with so many wonderful classes, inspirational professors, and amazing friends along the way - it seems like at least 10 years must have passed. I've very grateful for the chance I've had to attend USU and to participate in the URF program and I want to say thank you to all those people who have made my journey possible.

Isabella DeJesus | Biochemistry & Biology Majors

Isabella is a senior studying Biochemistry and Human Biology with the aspiration to attend medical school. She loves research and is particularly interested in fertility and reproductive medicine. She has loved her time at USU and feels so grateful to have been a part of many incredible extracurricular activities such as research, leadership, and student teaching.

Matthew Fitzgerald | Outdoor Design and Development Major

My name is Matt Fitzgerald and I am graduating with my Bachelors of Science in Outdoor product design and development. I will be working as a product designer and developer in the pocket knife industry. Throughout my time with the Undergraduate Research program I focused on researching design problems and certain art styles. In my sophomore year at USU I was able to have a painting shown at the Springville Art Museum, and during my senior year I researched how to design a line of pocket knives for women that fit their needs better than the current offerings. I will always treasure my time at Utah State, Go Aggies!

Owen Graham | Physics Major

Owen Graham is a graduating senior at Utah State University with a major in physics and a minor in mathematics. After graduating from USU, he hopes to continue his education by enrolling in a PhD program for physics at the University of Utah. He aspires to be a research scientist working to help bring new technologies to reality. Some of Owen’s main research interests include nuclear theory, quantum information, as well as the applications of mathematics and computation to solve problems in physics. During his time at USU, Owen has been involved with the Honors Program, Undergraduate Research Fellows, Aggie First Scholars, and has served as a College of Science Ambassador. Along with his academic pursuits, Owen enjoys spending time with family and friends, music, and all things sports. Some of Owen’s non-academic goals are to continue learning languages and to live and work abroad following his PhD.

Kylie Hansen | Soils and Sustainable Land Systems Major

Kylie Hansen is graduating with a degree in Soils and Sustainable Land Systems with a minor in Chemistry. She loves being one with the Earth by digging soil pits and conducting research on soil formation, mineralogy, and erosional processes. When Kylie is not covered in dirt, she enjoys trying various Asian cuisines and coffee shops. In the fall, she is stoked to start a Master's degree at New Mexico State University, studying the prediction of ecological site groups across the Western US.

Kaden Hart | Computer Science Major

I applied for the Undergraduate Research Program after I got an email about it prior to my first semester. I didn't really have a concept of what academic research was, but it sounded interesting. Suddenly I'm graduating, and I realize how many wonderful people I've gotten to work with. I've probably learned as much from doing research on the side as I've learned from my classes. I'm glad I've had the opportunity to work on such cool projects and to get out of my comfort zone.

Sophia Hessami | Biological Engineering Major

Sophia Hessami is graduating this May with a major in Biological Engineering and a minor in Chemistry. During her time at Utah State University, she has been grateful for the many opportunities to grow as both a researcher and leader. She is proud to have been named a Goldwater Scholar and USU’s Scholar of the Year, among other honors. Her undergraduate experience has included conducting research in tissue engineering, serving as Editor-in-Chief of Curiosity, USU's student-run journal, and mentoring fellow students through the Honors Program. Sophia looks forward to continuing her journey at USU as she pursues a master’s degree in Biological Engineering, where she hopes to further explore innovative solutions at the intersection of biology and engineering.

Spencer Mullen | Public Health Major

Spencer is graduating Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Health with an emphasis in Industrial Hygiene, and minors in Chemistry and Spanish. Originally from Pocatello, Idaho, he served a two-year ecclesiastical mission in Colombia and South Florida before beginning college. As a student researcher at the Institute for Antiviral Research, he contributed to multiple projects involving preclinical antiviral testing and research on emerging infectious diseases. His capstone focused on adapting H7N9 avian influenza strains to mice to create a viable model for future therapeutic testing. He also completed an internship in industrial hygiene at the Idaho National Laboratory and has been recognized as an Honors Program student and Undergraduate Research Fellow. After graduation, he will attend the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) to pursue a career in medicine with interests in public health, research, and patient-centered care.

Audrey Mullen | Public Health Major

As a student in both the Industrial Hygiene and Honors programs, Audrey Mullen has sought unique opportunities during her undergraduate experience. She has spent time in an insect lab researching aphid phylogenetics, worked with mining companies on employee health, and volunteered in pediatric rehabilitation. Audrey has been recognized as an Undergraduate Research Fellow and Undergraduate Writing Fellow along with other scholarships and awards. Following graduation with a Public Health degree and a chemistry minor, Audrey plans to spend a year hiking and exploring before attending medical school to pursue a Maternal and Fetal Medicine fellowship.

Michelle Norman | Geology Major

Michelle is a geology major, mathematics minor who enjoys puzzling through carbon cycle anomalies and the evolution of complex life in 500 million year old rocks. Starting in May, they will be pursuing their PhD in the Ostrander Lab at the University of Utah in geology, with emphases in geochemistry and stratigraphy. Their project will be reconstructing ocean oxygen using thallium across the 539 million-year-old transition from squishy, complex, soft-bodied organisms to organisms with an exoskeleton, funded by the NSF and NASA. When not doing research, they will be hiking, running, playing outside, and reading.

Ammarita Sorenson | Economics Major

Ammarita Sorenson is from Plano, Texas. She loves reading, and she thought she loved hiking. Then, she moved to Utah and discovered that what she actually likes is nature walks. Her claim to fame is that she once had a cat named after her (courtesy of her brother, who named the cat Little Sister). Much to her mother's amazement, she is now graduating with a bachelor's in Economics.

Kayla Ward | Applied Economics Major

Kayla Ward is graduating with a degree in applied economics with minors in accounting and finance. As an Undergraduate Research Fellow, she has pursued research in agricultural economics and trade, tax policy, and bank performance. Her work reflects a strong interest in how accounting and finance shape and support rural economies. Kayla has also been involved on campus as president of the Agribusiness Club and a member of the Institute of Management Accountants, Women in Business, and Women in Finance Associations. After graduation, she will begin the Master of Accounting program at USU, with the goal of becoming a CPA specializing in tax.