This summer, the Chemurgy 2.0 program welcomed a new cohort of undergraduate researchers and STEM educators for six weeks of hands-on learning and collaboration. Participants worked alongside faculty and mentors in active university labs while also developing tools and ideas to strengthen science education. Their experiences and reflections are featured in Cultivate Curiosity, a digital magazine showcasing classroom materials and personal insights from the entire 2025 cohort, available here. The following highlights each participant’s experience and the impact of their work throughout the program.
REU Participants
Abby Remus
University of Northern Iowa
Dr. Eric Cochran (PI), Dhananjay Dileep
Research topic & goals: Engineering high-performance coatings from sugar-derived polymers.
What was the biggest takeaway from your research experience?
My biggest takeaway from this research is that it is ok to be vulnerable. In the moments of vulnerability is where I learned the most and grew, but not until I let myself be open to it and to others.
Why did you spend the summer with the RET Program?
As a future science teacher, I wanted to expand my research experience to bring into the classroom.
See Abby's deliverables on pages 42—43
Poster link: The Sweet Spot: Engineering High-Performance Coatings from Sugar-Derived Polymers
Emery Breitbarth
Wartburg College, IA
Dr. Eric Cochran (PI), Vivek Garg, Baker Kuehl
Research topic & goals: Improving the properties of polylactic acid (PLA), a compostable bioplastic derived from renewable resources like corn starch
What was the biggest takeaway from your research experience?
The biggest takeaway from this experience was the realization that real-world scientific problems require both technical knowledge and creative problem-solving.
Why did you spend the summer with the RET Program?
I applied because I want to learn different ways to share my love of science with others and help them see that they’re capable of so much more than they think—especially when they believe in themselves and stay curious.
See Emery's deliverables on pages 51—53
Poster link: Extrude to Educate: A Tactile Approach to STEM Learning
Greta Musgrave
University of Northern Iowa
Dr. Surya Mallapragada (PI), Susheel Nethi, Brianna White
Research topic & goals: Synthesize polymers for use as targeted therapeutics specifically for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
What was the biggest takeaway from your research experience?
On this project, I contributed to the synthesis of polymers designed for targeted therapeutics. The particles we created were tiny polymer nanoparticles. This experience showed me how much time, precision, and collaboration go into meaningful scientific research, even on the smallest scale. Each batch required careful synthesis, multiple steps spread over several days, and teamwork with others. Even then, the work isn’t finished; these polymers still need to be loaded with small-molecule drugs and tested for their effectiveness, in the ultimate goal of developing more effective treatments for pancreatic cancer. This experience reminded me that learning and development, whether in the lab or the classroom, are never just one step. The process takes patience, persistence, and the willingness to share and use knowledge from others.
See Greta's deliverables on pages 28—29
Poster link: Polymer Synthesis for Drug Delivery: Targeted Therapeutics to Teaching Topics
RET Participants
Joshua Selep
Urbandale High School, IA
Dr. Mark Wright (PI), Vedanti Sharma
Research topic & goals: Completing a Life Cycle Analysis on Trojan Horse and Bio Based Recycled PET
What was the biggest takeaway from your research experience?
Learning another side of research as well as a more in-depth understanding of the system and process of recycling.
Why did you spend the summer with the RET Program?
I applied to be an RET because I did it last year as a REU, and it was a great experience.
See Joshua's deliverable on pages 44—45
Poster link: Implications of Producing Greener Plastic: Impacts of Trojan Horse Incorporation and Bio-Based Feedstock
Matt Cain
West Branch High School, IA
Dr. Ratul Chowdhury (PI), Karuna Sajeevan, Hannah Gates, Randy Aryee
Research topic & goals: Scalable GROMACS-Based Pipeline For Simulating Protein–Ligand Complexes
What was the biggest takeaway from your research experience?
Through building and debugging the automated workflow, I realized how powerful interdisciplinary coding skills can be in solving scientific problems. Despite my limited background in molecular biology and Linux environments, I was able to contribute meaningfully by leveraging my experience in physics, engineering, and computer science. This reinforced the value of adaptability and curiosity in STEM learning.
Why did you spend the summer with the RET Program?
I previously had a very enriching experience with it many years ago and was excited to reengage with it.
See Matt's deliverable on pages 24—25
Poster link: Scalable GROMACS-Based Pipeline For Simulating Protein–Ligand Complexes
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No.2242763