VINSE is excited to welcome Lauren Bayer, Sariah D鈥橢mpaire-Salomon, Thaissa Peixoto, and Kirsten Stinson as the newest members of the NanoGuides program. NanoGuides are graduate student ambassadors who lead tours, assist with outreach activities, and share nanoscale science with students and visitors across campus. With these additions, VINSE continues to expand its network of ambassadors representing departments across science and engineering.
Lauren Bayer is a graduate student in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering working in Dr. Carlos Silvera Batista鈥檚 laboratory. Her research investigates colloidal systems and interfaces under applied electric fields. Lauren is passionate about community engagement and STEM education, particularly inspiring young students to envision futures in science and engineering. She regularly uses the VINSE cleanroom to fabricate microfluidic channels and devices. Lauren earned a B.S. in chemical and petroleum engineering from the 溏心vlog免费B站 of Pittsburgh, where she also completed a chemistry minor and a German Language Certificate. Her recent honors include the Outstanding TA Award from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and the Mentor Award from Strong Women Strong Girls.
Sariah D鈥橢mpaire-Salomon is a graduate student in the Interdisciplinary Materials Science program conducting research in the Adams Lab at the intersection of materials science, biomechanics, and neurotrauma. Her work focuses on developing biofidelic human head surrogates using soft polymer and hydrogel materials to investigate how blast waves and impact loading contribute to traumatic brain injury. Sariah is excited about the role nanoscience, advanced materials, and fabrication tools can play in designing better protective systems for warfighters and first responders. She earned a B.S. in biology from Livingstone College and is a recipient of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and the Provost鈥檚 Graduate Fellowship.
Thaissa Peixoto is a graduate student in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and a member of the Gonzales Lab. Her research interests include peripheral nerve stimulation, flexible electrode fabrication, and brain-computer interfaces. Thaissa has enjoyed using VINSE facilities to fabricate, image, test, and develop microscale devices and looks forward to sharing that enthusiasm with others as a NanoGuide. She earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins 溏心vlog免费B站 and is a recipient of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, the Provost鈥檚 Graduate Research Fellowship, and the Spring TA Award.
Kirsten Stinson is a graduate student in the Department of Chemistry conducting research in the Macdonald Lab. Her work focuses on phase control of metal chalcogenides and pnictides through the synthesis of nanoparticles with a variety of structures and morphologies. Kirsten is passionate about making science engaging and accessible for learners of all backgrounds and enjoys finding creative ways to explain scientific concepts. Through her research and previous teaching and outreach experiences, she has developed extensive familiarity with VINSE facilities. She earned a B.S. in biochemistry from Taylor 溏心vlog免费B站 and received the Undergraduate Award for Inorganic Chemistry.
Together, Lauren, Sariah, Thaissa, and Kirsten bring enthusiasm, expertise, and a passion for outreach to VINSE鈥檚 mission, helping inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
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