John Wiley Jones Outstanding Students in Science

Liam Almekinder

School of Chemistry and Materials Science

Liam is a third-year chemistry major, from Naples, NY planning to graduate in the Spring of 2025 with a BS in Chemistry. Liam has been incredibly active about engaging in research early and has worked with several faculty members. As such, he has developed experiences that lead to an understanding of several chemistry disciplines, but also a clear vision for his future. For the 2023-2024 academic year including an Emerson Research Fellowship in the summer, he has been focused on the synthesis of complex bioactive molecules. After graduating, Liam will be pursuing a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry.

Nick Duggan

Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science

Nick Duggan is a third-year student in the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science pursuing an Imaging Science BS with a Music and Technology minor. Nick has contributed strongly to multiple research projects; most recently involving the development of a simulated autonomous driving vehicle that navigates based on the visual guidance of steering behavior in humans. Dr. Diaz describes Nick as having an exceptional work ethic, arriving early to the lab and working independently on a difficult project. Nick is a well-deserving John Wiley Jones scholar and will undoubtedly excel in his future endeavors!

Gabriel Johnson

School of Mathematics and Statistics

Gabriel Johnson is a fourth-year Honors student who will be graduating with a BS/MS in Applied and Computational Mathematics in May 2025. Gabe has a strong interest in cryptography and is currently pursuing research with Professor Anurag Agarwal on the applications of abstract algebra to cryptography, particularly in the areas of lattices and elliptic curves. During his studies at RIT, Gabe has also completed projects in designing and cryptanalyzing original manual cipher systems and in how linear and differential cryptanalysis can be used against modern block ciphers. In addition to his academic achievements, Gabe has often volunteered online for the Smithsonian Transcription Center, helping to transcribe historical documents.

Shui Li Eu-Balint

Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences

Shui Li Eu-Balint is a third-year student from Bellingham, MA, who will complete his BS degree in Biology in the Spring of 2024. Since his first year at RIT, Shui Li has worked closely with Dr. Eli Borrego and led several projects that explored the involvement of hormones and lipids during plant defense responses. He presented his research at the local and regional levels, including at the Rochester Academy of Science Paper Session and the RIT Undergraduate Research Symposium. He has received acceptance and competitive offers from several Ph.D. programs and will decide soon.

Myrra Small

School of Physics and Astronomy

Myrra Small is a third-year student in the School of Physics and Astronomy from Oley, PA who is pursuing a physics BS as well as a minor in astronomy. She is a member of the RIT Honors Program and the RIT chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS). Since participating in RIT’s Inclusive Excellence fellowship during the summer of her freshman year, she has engaged extensively in a variety of research at RIT. Passionate in exploring all facets of physics, Myrra plans to explore another completely different area of study this upcoming summer, as she was accepted into an REU hosted by CERN. Once she graduates, Myrra plans to further her physics education by pursuing a Ph.D. in grad school, most likely choosing between astronomy, quantum mechanics, and particle physics.