Class of 2023

Casandrah Catterton

Hometown: Santa Monica, CA

University: Reed College

Major: Chemistry

Career Goals: Grad school (for PhD), then either industry or academia.

Favorite thing about the program: I was introduced to several different fields of chemistry research in the professors’ short talks, so I wasn’t only learning about the chemistry relevant to my project and my lab.


Diayla Copeland

Hometown: Dearborn, MI

University: Hampton University

Major: Biochemistry

Career Goals: I plan to attend medical school after completing my undergraduate studies, and would like to potentially pursue a dual MD-PhD degree program in dermatological studies.

Favorite Thing About The Program: My favorite thing about participating in STEER this summer was being able to learn about all the different research projects being carried out throughout the chemistry department—both within and outside of other participants’ labs.


Jay Coughlon

University: Murray State


Kaamia Harris

Hometown: Orlando, FL

University: Hampton University

Major: Biochemistry

Career Goals: Graduate with my MD/PhD and become a medical professional in practice or research. 

Favorite thing about the program: My mentor, Nick Buchbinder


De’quinte Robinson, Jr.

Hometown: Greensboro, AL

University: Tuskegee University 

Major: Chemistry and Physics 

Career Goals: To study how the body can naturally heal itself

Favorite thing about the program: The environment is very family-like. Learning new things that can expedite my development in this field.


Danielle Smith

Hometown: Leesburg, VA

University: Radford University 

Major: BS in Advanced Professional Chemistry

Career Goals: Some of my career goals include getting a paper published during undergrad and to acquire my PhD in Inorganic Chemistry.

Favorite thing about the program: How close everyone got because of our small size and the opportunity to gain experience in a graduate lab.