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Each year at the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute, we have the privilege of selecting promising students to receive a variety of awards for excellence in Green Chemistry research and/or studies. For 2025, we received a record number of applications and have chosen 14 winners across five different awards. Three of our awards are open to both undergraduate and graduate students (Hancock, Breen, and Ciba Awards) and you can read about the winners below. All student awardees will attend the 2025 ACS Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference in Pittsburgh, PA where they will present their research and receive their awards. Several of them will be speaking in the newly created Edward Brush Green Chemistry Awards Symposium on June 26. You can read full bios and research summaries for all winners here, and be sure to read the separate article about the McClelland and Chang awardees.
Kenneth G. Hancock Memorial Award: provides national recognition and travel funds to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who are working to further the goals of green chemistry and/or engineering.
Hailey Holshouser
University of Alabama, Huntsville, AL
Project Title: “Fabrication of 2D/2D BiOCl/RGO Composites for Photocatalytic Degradation of Dyes Under Visible Light Irradiation”
“Witnessing the detrimental effects of industrial pollutants on local waterways fueled my determination to develop solutions that prevent contamination at its source rather than merely treating symptoms. Green chemistry principles—such as waste minimization, non-toxic materials, and energy efficiency—resonate with my core values of responsibility and long-term thinking. Pursuing sustainable polymer filters allows me to apply rigorous chemical engineering methods while contributing to cleaner ecosystems and healthier communities. Personally, this focus fulfills my commitment to ethical research that safeguards our planet for future generations, turning my passion for chemistry into a force for positive change.”
Sargun Singh Rohewal
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Project Title: “Designing Fast Relaxing, Sustainable Vitrimer Matrices for Rapid Manufacturing and Closed-Loop Recycling of Fiber Reinforced Biocomposites”
“Green chemistry and sustainability have shaped the way I approach scientific problems, encouraging me to seek solutions that reduce waste, utilize safer chemicals, and enhance resource efficiency. These principles have not only guided my academic path but also deepened my commitment to designing materials that align with the goals of a circular economy. My work focuses on developing sustainable polymer resins and recyclable, multifunctional composites that maintain high performance while enabling end-of-life recyclability. Moving forward, I aim to advance the fundamental understanding of these systems and explore scalable strategies to promote the widespread adoption of bio-based materials across industries.”
Joseph Breen Memorial Fellowship: provides national recognition and travel funds to support the participation of U.S. and international scholars in the ACS Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference.
Sarah Boudreau
Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labor, St. John's, NL, Canada
“I grew up in a small Acadian village in Cape Breton, NS, Canada that heavily relies on the seafood industry. Fishing is critical for the local economy because it employs the majority of adults, including my own parents. However, seafood processing currently generates significant quantities of by-products that are disposed of unsustainably. This could eventually impact rural communities if fishing industries do not begin adopting practices aligned with circular economy and the principles of green chemistry. Being able to work on a research project that transforms these discards into value-added materials to achieve a circular economy has been a highlight of my journey so far and ignited my passion for green chemistry.”
Emmanuel Fagbohun
Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
“Seeing environmental issues in Nigeria, where industrial waste and oil spillage during the refining of non-renewable energy generation frequently contaminate water sources and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, inspired my love of green chemistry. During my MSc., I set out to find sustainable solutions by investigating the recycling of spent carbon from the pharmaceutical and food sectors and transforming it into beneficial materials with no environmental impact. I applied this work to the storage of renewable energy and the treatment of wastewater. Personally, [I think] green chemistry is important since it provides creative, environmentally friendly solutions guaranteeing cleaner water and energy for future generations, especially in underprivileged areas.”
Sahar Gholami
University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
“Green chemistry and sustainability have not only guided my research direction but have also shaped how I approach education and mentorship. As a Teaching Associate at the University of Manchester, I design and deliver coursework that encourages students to think critically about chemical processes, not just from an economic perspective, but through the lens of environmental impact and sustainability. This philosophy directly aligns with my research, where I develop DESs for PGM recycling. Looking to the future, I aspire to advance green technologies that enable industries to transition toward circular, low-impact models, while also inspiring the next generation of scientists to prioritize sustainability. Through both my research and teaching, I hope to contribute to a future where green chemistry principles are fundamental to innovation and industrial practice.”
Ciba Travel Awards in Green Chemistry: provide national recognition and travel funding to support the participation of students from the U.S in the ACS Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference.
Gabriela Torres Batista
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Ponce, PR
“I chose to focus on green and sustainable chemistry because science must actively contribute to environmental responsibility. Growing up in a region frequently affected by natural disasters and energy instability, I witnessed firsthand the urgent need for resilient, sustainable technologies. My research on Cu-doped SnO₂-based solar cells aims to develop low-cost, efficient solar cells using environmentally benign methods such as microwave synthesis. I strive to be guided by the green chemistry principles, from material selection to energy usage, ensuring that innovation does not come at our planet’s expense.”
Alexander Broschek
Purdue University Northwest, Hammond, IN
“I am particularly interested in green chemistry research that focuses on reducing waste or finding new applications in other processes for waste products, especially if that results in omitting the use of other toxic chemicals. I believe that green chemistry is a great area that connects people from various backgrounds in chemistry to work on improving modern chemical processes, both in academia and in the industry, to ensure that the future of chemistry will be a future of sustainability and success.”
Ulfet Ergogan-Uzunoglu
Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY
“Green chemistry and sustainability have shaped both my academic journey and my long-term goals. They have guided me to design my experiments, research and even presentations with the UN SDGs in mind. This perspective has influenced the way I think about scientific research, not just as a tool for discovery, but as a responsibility to develop solutions that are practical, cost effective, scalable, and environmentally conscious.”
Endras Tia Fadhilah
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
“Realizing the importance of green chemistry has shaped the direction, purpose, and motivation behind my research. At the core of my work, I want to focus on making safer and more sustainable choices with the solvents, reagents, and methods in the lab that we hope to be translated to adaptation in industry. I believe sustainability shouldn't just be a feature, but a foundational aspect of how we operate. With this approach, I hope to contribute to a wider and more impactful shift toward greener practices across industries.”
Kelsey Plasse
University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA
“From a young age, I always loved being outdoors which led me to develop a deep appreciation for the environment. As I learned about the harmful effects of human activities on not only the environment, but human health, I was drawn to science as a way of understanding and combating these issues. During my undergraduate career, I interned for the US EPA, allowing me to gain a new understanding of the detrimental effects of toxic chemicals, particularly PFAS. This experience deepened my passion for green chemistry; especially for addressing the significant environmental challenges posed by hazardous waste in the production of chemicals. I believe it is our responsibility as scientists to reduce the environmental impact of our work to ensure that future generations can enjoy the same natural beauty and resources that we do today.”