Katie Martin and Samantha Rokey - Recipients of the Victor P. Thalacker Graduate Fellowship for 2023

Congratulations to CBC graduate students Katie Martin and Samantha Rokey, this year's recipients of the Victor P. Thalacker Graduate Fellowship!

Katie Martin

Katie Martin (they/them pronouns) is a 4th year graduate student in the Pyun group studying the design and synthesis of sulfur polymers for a variety of optical applications. Originally from Fairbanks, Alaska, they received their B.S. in biochemistry with a minor in material science from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, in the spring of 2020. Katie enjoys finding new places to eat in Tucson and spending time with their cat, Conan.

Samantha Rokey

"I attended Illinois State University and received my BS in Chemistry in May 2020. I am pursuing my PhD in Chemistry at the University of Arizona and am starting my 4th year in Dr. Christopher Hulme’s lab.

Our lab is comprised of a highly interdisciplinary collaborative effort that encompasses structural biology, molecular modeling, in vivo pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and cancer biology. Specifically, my project focuses on designing and synthesizing small molecule kinase inhibitors that target the Wnt signaling pathway for treatment of colorectal cancer. Outside of research, I enjoy spending time with my dog, Henry, reading, and spending time with my friends. I am also an active member within PAWS and the DEI committee at UofA."