Workshops
All attendees are scheduled for one half-day workshop developed by COACh (https://coach.uoregon.edu/domestic-workshops/) This workshop focuses on Negotiation.
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Attendees rank their choice of breakout sessions during registration.
​
​
​
Workshops
All attendees are scheduled for one half-day workshop developed by COACh (https://coach.uoregon.edu/domestic-workshops/) This workshop focuses on Negotiation.
​
Attendees rank their choice of breakout sessions during registration.
​
​
​
Workshops
All attendees are scheduled for one half-day workshop developed by COACh (https://coach.uoregon.edu/domestic-workshops/) This workshop focuses on Negotiation.
​
Attendees rank their choice of breakout sessions during registration.
​
​
​
Midwest Retreat for Pathways in Chemistry
June 19-21, 2026 | Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA
Committee Members
Brittany
Ginnaty
Iowa State University
Brittany Ginnaty is a fourth‑year Ph.D. candidate majoring in Analytical Chemistry at Iowa State University, working under the mentorship of Dr. Robbyn K. Anand. Her research brings together chemistry, engineering, and biology as she develops microfluidic devices and methods to detect and analyze cancer, along with other diseases. She focuses on measurements at both the single‑cell level as well as broader population analysis. By advancing these methods, her work supports applications such as early disease detection, more representative prognostic assessments, and improved tracking of disease progression.
Outside the lab, Brittany practices taekwondo, plays video games, and spends time with her cat, Smokey Jo - who is confident that Brittany’s real superpower isn’t science or martial arts, but providing snacks on demand.
Ajinkya
Shingote
University of Notre Dame
Ajinkya Shingote is a PhD student in physical chemistry at the University of Notre Dame. His research centers on plasmonic and semiconductor nanomaterials, focusing on exciton–polariton coupling and advanced optical microscopy to study nanoscale light–matter interactions, with applications in energy conversion and energy routing. Beyond research, Ajinkya enjoys reading self-help books and training at the gym.
Carmen
Magestro
University of Notre Dame
Carmen Magestro is a fourth year graduate student in Organic Chemistry at the University of Notre Dame advised by Dr. Brittany Morgan. Working in a chemical biology lab, her research focuses on developing methods for covalently targeting dynamic and/or disordered proteins, utilizing combinatorial chemistry and skills in organic, biochemistry, analytical, physical, and computational chemistry. Previously, Carmen graduated with a B.A. in Chemistry and Biochemistry, and a B.Mus. in Music Performance from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. In her free time, Carmen likes to rock climb, crochet, and read.
Emmanuel
Aidoo
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Emmanuel is a graduate student in chemical biology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he works in Dr. Catherine Eichborn’s lab. His research focuses on the biophysical basis of RNA aptamer interactions with fluorogenic dyes, using techniques from chemical biology, biophysics, and structural biology. He earned his MSc in Biochemistry from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. In his free time, Emmanuel enjoys watching soccer and is a fan of Real Madrid.
Sandra
Nwankwo
University of Minnesota
Sandra Nwankwo is a third-year graduate student in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Minnesota, advised by Dr. Michael T. Bowser. Her research focuses on developing an aptamer-based micro free-flow electrophoresis (μFFE) affinity assay for the continuous, real-time monitoring of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) in biological systems, integrating microfluidic device fabrication, fluorescence detection, and assay optimization
Previously, Sandra earned a B.Sc. in Pure and Industrial Chemistry from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria. In her free time, she enjoys watching reality shows, eating, and sleeping.
Ehlana
Ghassemi
University of Notre Dame
Ehlana Ghassemi is a first-year graduate student in organic chemistry at the University of Notre Dame advised by Dr. Brittany Morgan and Dr. Olaf Wiest. Her research combines computational and organic chemistry, focusing on the development of a machine learning model to better understand and predict the selectivity of electrophilic warheads as covalent ligands of RNA. Ehlana graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry from University of California, Irvine and in her free time she likes to listen to music, read, and spend time with family (most importantly her cat, Velvet).
Ernest
Atsrim
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ernest is a PhD student in chemistry whose work focuses on biomolecular structure and interactions using NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and complementary biophysical methods. He is passionate about mentorship, scientific communication, and creating supportive environments that help graduate students and young scientists navigate diverse career pathways.