2020 Coblentz Student Awardee
Cynthia Pyles, University of Minnesota, Professor Aaron Massari
Cynthia Pyles began her research career in physical and analytical chemistry at Boston University (BU). She used Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) to study the metabolomic behavior of samples including E. coli, T-cell leukemia, and cervical carcinoma cells. The data collected served as a spectral library for clinical diagnostics. In 2015, Cynthia received her B.A. in Chemistry with a minor in Japanese from BU. She began working with Dr. Aaron Massari in the spring of 2016 before starting graduate school at the University of Minnesota, and continued in his group for the duration of her graduate career.
Cynthia specializes in two-dimensional infrared (2D-IR) spectroscopy. In her first year with the Massari group, she used 2D-IR to study the vibrational heavy atom effect: a phenomenon in which sufficiently heavy atoms in molecules hinder vibrational energy relaxation, which can have important consequences for isotopically labeled systems. After earning her M.S. in 2018, Cynthia’s focus shifted toward understanding the ultrafast dynamics of carbon dioxide gas dissolved in polymer films. She characterized vibrational lifetimes and reorientation times to determine how macroscopic properties like diffusion constants manifest on ultrafast timescales. Cynthia extended these findings toward the study of carbon dioxide in nanoporous structures.
When she is not researching, Cynthia enjoys volunteering and public engagement. She worked extensively with adult learners in an English literacy course to refine their speaking and writing skills. Cynthia also volunteered for the Energy & U show as a fire safety volunteer, demonstrating the first law of thermodynamics to 3rd-6th grade students with lots of loud, exothermic reactions. For multiple summers, she led science experiments at “University on the Prairie”, a camp serving students in rural Minnesota who lack access to hands-on STEM learning opportunities. Most recently, Cynthia co-founded and launched “Grad to Grad: Mental Health Support” to address chemistry students’ mental health concerns by connecting students to virtual and in-person resources.
Call for the 2021 Coblentz Student Awards and William G. Fateley Award
The Coblentz Society has for many years encouraged young scientists to pursue studies in spectroscopy by seeking nominations of outstanding students for the Coblentz Student Awards. The awardees receive a copy of the Society's Desk Book, a certificate, and a year's membership in the Society. The three leading graduate students selected by the Coblentz Award committee will automatically become candidates for the William G. Fateley student award that includes a plaque and a cash prize. No separate nomination for the Fateley award is required.
The nominations window for Coblentz Student Awards closes February 28, 2021.
The nominations window for Coblentz Student Awards closes February 28, 2021.
Nominations should be sent to the Chair of the Student Affairs committee at nominations@coblentz.org.
Graduate or undergraduate students who have shown excellence in vibrational spectroscopy research and/or coursework including vibrational spectroscopy may be nominated. The nominator must be a member of the Coblentz Society (to become a member contact the Society Office or complete the online membership application).
Requirements for a complete nomination:
- Curriculum Vitae of the nominee.
- Biographical statement (300 words)
- One (1) letter of nomination from the supervisor
- One (1) additional letter of recommendation
- Abstract for a presentation at SciX 2020.
Past Awardees
2019 Coblentz Student Awardees
- Nicole Ralbovsky, University at Albany, SUNY, Professor Igor Lednev
2018 Coblentz Student Awardees
- Kajari Bera, University of Minnesota, Professor Renee Frontiera
- Santosh Kumar Paidi, Johns Hopkins University, Professor Ishan Barman
2017 Coblentz Student Awardees
- David Bryce, University of Utah, Professor Joel Harris
- Ewelina Mistek, University at Albany, SUNY, Professor Igor Lednev
- Christian Graefe, University of Minnesota, Professor Renee Frontiera
- James Brooks, University of Minnesota, Professor Renee Frontiera
2016 Coblentz Student Awardees
- Mustafa Unal, Case Western Reserve
University, Professor Ozan Akkus
- Emily Keller, University of Minnesota, Professor Renee Frontiera
- Aashish Tuladhar, Temple University, Professor Eric Borguet
- Alyssa Cassabaum, University of Minnesota, Professor Renee Frontiera
2015 Coblentz Student Awardees
- Marie Richard-Lacroix, Université de Montréal, Professor Christian Pellerin
- Shalaka Dewan, Temple University, Professor Éric Borguet
- Stephanie Dejong, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Professor James Durig
- Martha Vardaki, University of Exeter, Professor Nick Stone
2014 Coblentz Student Awardees
- Chris Huber, University of Minnesota, Professor Aaron Massari
- Antonio Campos, University of Minnesota, Professor Christy Haynes
- Ikhlas Darkhalil, University of South Carolina, Professor Micky Myrick
- Jay Kitt, University of Utah, Professor Joel Harris
2013 Coblentz Student Awardees
- Tomasz P. Wrobel, Jagiellonian University, Professor Malgorzata Baranska
- Sarah E. Holton, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Professor Rohit Bhargava
- Tao Liang, University of Georgia, Professor Gary Douberly
- Rachel Masyuko, University of Notre Dame, Professor Paul W. Bohn
2012 Coblentz Student Awardees
- Xiaohua (Sarah) Zhou, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Professor James R. Durig
- Eduardo Berrios, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Professor Martin Gruebele
- Marleen Kerssens, Gloucestershire Hospitals, Professor Nick Stone
- Rajesh Morampudi, Cleveland State University, Professor John F Turner
- Jonathan Schaefer, University of Utah, Professor Joel M. Harris
- Andreas Wilk, Georgia Institute of Technology, Professor Boris Mizaikoff
2011 Coblentz Student Awardees
- Rohith Reddy, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Professor Rohit Bhargava
- Nathaniel R. Gomer, University of South Carolina, Professor S. Michael Angel
- Esther J. Ocola, Texas A&M University, Professor Jaan Laane
- Savitha S. Panikar, University of Missouri – Kansas City, Professor James Durig
- Megan R. Pearl, University of South Carolina, Professor Michael Myrick
2010 Coblentz Student Awardees
- Ali Eftekhari-Bafrooei, Temple University, Professor Eric Borguet
- Ram Bhatta, University of Akron, Professor David Perry
- Praveenkumar Boopalachandran, Texas A&M University, Professor Jaan Laane
- Bryon Herbert, University of Delaware, Professor Karl S. Booksh
- Yuliya Luzinova, Georgia Tech University, Professor Boris Mizaikoff
- Hajime Okajima, University of Tokyo, Professor Hiro-o Hamaguchi
2009 Coblentz Student Awardees
- Christopher J. Addison, University of British Columbia, Professor Michael Blades
- Kyle C. Bantz, University of Minnesota, Professor Christy L. Haynes
- Sudhir Dahal, Towson University, Professor Boon Loo
- Arindam Ganguly, University of Missouri - Kansas City, Professor James R. Durig
- Rosina A. Lombardi, Syracuse University, Professor Laurence A. Nafie
- Allen M. Ricks, University of Georgia, Professor Michael A. Duncan
- Sean T. Roberts, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Professor Andrei Tokmakoff
- Bhavya Sharma, University of Pittsburgh, Professor Sanford A. Asher
- Christina R. Young, Georgia Institute of Technology, Professor Boris Mizaikoff