- The So Lab is always looking for curious, motivated, and persistent students to join. Undergraduates need strong quantitative skills and proficiency in general, organic, physical, and inorganic chemistry courses, as well as math and physics courses. We have DOE funding for two postdoctoral researchers, so please email mso@csuchico.edu for more information.
Principal Investigator
Monica C. So, Ph.D.
mso@csuchico.edu
Monica grew up in southern California in a city that once had more lemon trees than people. Yearning for a change in scenery, she moved all the way to UCLA, where she earned her B.S. in Organic Materials Chemistry while researching under Prof. Benjamin Schwartz as a Gates Millennium Scholar. She then earned her Ph.D. in inorganic materials chemistry at Northwestern University working under Prof. Joseph Hupp as a National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellow, developing a novel automated liquid phase technique for depositing thin films of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Working simultaneously at Argonne National Lab, she investigated the light absorption and energy transfer behavior of MOF thin films using steady state and transient fluorescence spectroscopy. Since July 2015, she has taught and mentored over 1,000 undergraduate students as a Lantis Endowed Associate Professor of Chemistry at California State University, Chico. Her philosophy as a research mentor is to have students develop a sense of ownership over their work, think about their science strategically, and appreciate scientific communication. Her work on investigating charge and energy transfer behavior of novel MOFs has resulted in 18 publications with >2000 citations and over $3.3 million in funding from National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund, Agriculture Research Institute, and California State University. When Monica is not busy saving the world in the lab or classroom, she enjoys kitchen chemistry (e.g. cooking vegetarian-friendly dishes), exploring the interface of art and chemistry (e.g. acrylic painting), and strengthening familial bonds (e..g. playing Pokémon Go with her husband Stewart and daughter, Anya).
mso@csuchico.edu
Monica grew up in southern California in a city that once had more lemon trees than people. Yearning for a change in scenery, she moved all the way to UCLA, where she earned her B.S. in Organic Materials Chemistry while researching under Prof. Benjamin Schwartz as a Gates Millennium Scholar. She then earned her Ph.D. in inorganic materials chemistry at Northwestern University working under Prof. Joseph Hupp as a National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellow, developing a novel automated liquid phase technique for depositing thin films of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Working simultaneously at Argonne National Lab, she investigated the light absorption and energy transfer behavior of MOF thin films using steady state and transient fluorescence spectroscopy. Since July 2015, she has taught and mentored over 1,000 undergraduate students as a Lantis Endowed Associate Professor of Chemistry at California State University, Chico. Her philosophy as a research mentor is to have students develop a sense of ownership over their work, think about their science strategically, and appreciate scientific communication. Her work on investigating charge and energy transfer behavior of novel MOFs has resulted in 18 publications with >2000 citations and over $3.3 million in funding from National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund, Agriculture Research Institute, and California State University. When Monica is not busy saving the world in the lab or classroom, she enjoys kitchen chemistry (e.g. cooking vegetarian-friendly dishes), exploring the interface of art and chemistry (e.g. acrylic painting), and strengthening familial bonds (e..g. playing Pokémon Go with her husband Stewart and daughter, Anya).
Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr. Robabeh Bashiri holds a bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of Zanjan, master's degree in Inorganic Chemistry from Payam-e-Noor University, Iran, and PhD in Chemical Engineering from the Universiti Teknologi Petronas. Since March 2022, she joined to So Lab to work on the NSF project for designing electroactive material for renewable energy applications. She is an expert in inorganic chemistry with over 10 years of working experience with in-depth knowledge of the design, synthesis, and characterization of various nanomaterials, catalysts, MOFs, semiconductors, carbon-based materials, transition metals for renewable energy, organic materials degradation, biotechnology, and sensing applications. Her research led to 40 peer-reviewed journals with more than 600 citations, 2 book chapters, 12 conferences, 3 filed patents, and 1 granted industrial design. She secured different research grants from Malaysia and the United Kingdom, Estonia, and Poland. She has mentored over 10 Ph.D., Master's, senior project students and research assistants. She is an assistant editor of the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy.
Undergraduates
Preston S. Lawsom
plawson@csuchico.edu
A Chico local, Preston majors in chemistry and minors in Studio Art at Chico State. He transferred from Butte College with a double AA in Physics and Chemistry and currently works on developing MOF interlayers for solar cells. He's interested in sustainable energy and materials science, but he enjoys dabbling in every field and plans to become a professor after grad school. Did you know that in his free time he makes sells his pottery all over Chico?
plawson@csuchico.edu
A Chico local, Preston majors in chemistry and minors in Studio Art at Chico State. He transferred from Butte College with a double AA in Physics and Chemistry and currently works on developing MOF interlayers for solar cells. He's interested in sustainable energy and materials science, but he enjoys dabbling in every field and plans to become a professor after grad school. Did you know that in his free time he makes sells his pottery all over Chico?
Angelo G. Vicini
agvicini@csuchico.edu
Originally from the Bay Area, Angelo majors in chemistry and minors in food sciences. He currently develops OPVs for agrivoltaics and grows lettuce at the College of Natural Sciences greenhouse for his research project. He plans to attend grad school after graduating from Chico State in Fall 2024. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, baking, and cross-stitching.
agvicini@csuchico.edu
Originally from the Bay Area, Angelo majors in chemistry and minors in food sciences. He currently develops OPVs for agrivoltaics and grows lettuce at the College of Natural Sciences greenhouse for his research project. He plans to attend grad school after graduating from Chico State in Fall 2024. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, baking, and cross-stitching.
Ernesto Lucatero
elucatero@csuchico.edu
A Marysville native, Ernesto is a biochemistry major and a first-generation student. He currently works on enhancing catalytic MOFs for oxidative desulfurization. After Chico State, he plans to go to grad school, hopefully somewhere sunny! He enjoys going to the movies, working out, and listing to music in his spare time.
elucatero@csuchico.edu
A Marysville native, Ernesto is a biochemistry major and a first-generation student. He currently works on enhancing catalytic MOFs for oxidative desulfurization. After Chico State, he plans to go to grad school, hopefully somewhere sunny! He enjoys going to the movies, working out, and listing to music in his spare time.
Alumni
Sydney M. Angel
sangel5@mail.csuchico.edu
Born and raised in Santa Rosa, Sydney is a biochemistry major, SI leader, and sugar addict. When she's free, she loves to relax with her family and friends. She is currently a chemist at Bausch Health Companies Inc.
sangel5@mail.csuchico.edu
Born and raised in Santa Rosa, Sydney is a biochemistry major, SI leader, and sugar addict. When she's free, she loves to relax with her family and friends. She is currently a chemist at Bausch Health Companies Inc.
Jeremy (Jerah) L. Barnett
jelabarn@ucsc.edu
Native to Chico, Jerah double majored in chemistry and biochemistry at Chico State; he is a current PhD student in chemistry at UC Santa Cruz. His interests range from computers and electronics to living a healthy lifestyle. School, to him, is not career- but interest-driven, so he tries to enjoy himself. His life motto? "If it's not fun, it's not worth it."
jelabarn@ucsc.edu
Native to Chico, Jerah double majored in chemistry and biochemistry at Chico State; he is a current PhD student in chemistry at UC Santa Cruz. His interests range from computers and electronics to living a healthy lifestyle. School, to him, is not career- but interest-driven, so he tries to enjoy himself. His life motto? "If it's not fun, it's not worth it."
Nicholas (Nikita) S. Barnett
nbarne21@uic.edu
Hailing from Contra Costa County, Nikita double majored in chemistry and physics and minors in mathematics. Outside of school, he's an avid practitioner of jiu jitsu and enjoys the color red. Did you know he likes to paint with closed eyes? He is pursuing his PhD in Physics at University of Illinois-Chicago.
nbarne21@uic.edu
Hailing from Contra Costa County, Nikita double majored in chemistry and physics and minors in mathematics. Outside of school, he's an avid practitioner of jiu jitsu and enjoys the color red. Did you know he likes to paint with closed eyes? He is pursuing his PhD in Physics at University of Illinois-Chicago.
James J. Calvo
15jcalvo@gmail.com
A native of San Francisco, James majored in chemistry and minored in applied math. When he's not busy thinking about science or numbers, he is an ex-vegan who enjoys playing chess. He is now an application developer at Pantheon Inc.
15jcalvo@gmail.com
A native of San Francisco, James majored in chemistry and minored in applied math. When he's not busy thinking about science or numbers, he is an ex-vegan who enjoys playing chess. He is now an application developer at Pantheon Inc.
Angelica R. Cash
abrowning@csuchico.edu
A Butte County native, Angel earned her BS in biochemistry. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Jason, and two children, Alli and Parker. Her other hobbies include sewing, playing guitar, cooking, and traveling. She started her PhD in chemistry at UC Davis in September 2023.
abrowning@csuchico.edu
A Butte County native, Angel earned her BS in biochemistry. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Jason, and two children, Alli and Parker. Her other hobbies include sewing, playing guitar, cooking, and traveling. She started her PhD in chemistry at UC Davis in September 2023.
Vivien L. Cherrette
vcherret@ucsc.edu
Hailing from Hermosa Beach, Vivien majored in chemistry with a minor in mathematics; she is a PhD student in chemistry at UC Santa Cruz and an affiliate at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. She enjoys the sunny outdoors whether it be camping, hiking, or running. Vivien aspires for a career in industry.
vcherret@ucsc.edu
Hailing from Hermosa Beach, Vivien majored in chemistry with a minor in mathematics; she is a PhD student in chemistry at UC Santa Cruz and an affiliate at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. She enjoys the sunny outdoors whether it be camping, hiking, or running. Vivien aspires for a career in industry.
Connor J. Hutcherson
connor_hutcherson@pall.com
Born and raised in Redondo Beach, he majored in chemistry; he is currently a field application scientist at Pall Corporation. His hobbies include cooking and exploring the outdoors. In fact, he once spent three weeks backpacking the Appalachian trail!
connor_hutcherson@pall.com
Born and raised in Redondo Beach, he majored in chemistry; he is currently a field application scientist at Pall Corporation. His hobbies include cooking and exploring the outdoors. In fact, he once spent three weeks backpacking the Appalachian trail!
Nicole D. Mackie
nmackie@mail.csuchico.edu
Hailing from Newcastle, CA, Nicole majored in physics. When she is not focused on work, you can probably find her running outdoors, working out at the gym, or shopping in downtown Chico. She is currently a chemistry teacher at Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts.
nmackie@mail.csuchico.edu
Hailing from Newcastle, CA, Nicole majored in physics. When she is not focused on work, you can probably find her running outdoors, working out at the gym, or shopping in downtown Chico. She is currently a chemistry teacher at Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts.
Olivia S. McIntosh
omcintosh@gmail.com
Originally from Livermore, CA, Olivia majored in chemistry and minored in physics. She worked at Nanotech Energy, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Nilogen Oncosystems before starting as program manager for InCircle Review.
omcintosh@gmail.com
Originally from Livermore, CA, Olivia majored in chemistry and minored in physics. She worked at Nanotech Energy, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Nilogen Oncosystems before starting as program manager for InCircle Review.
Carlos M. Melchor
melchor.college18@gmail.com
Originally from Ukiah, Carlos majored in biochemistry. On his free time, he's playing soccer, watching his favorite team Liverpool, cooking both Mexican and Japanese dishes, and hanging out with his family and friends. He is currently a medical school student at UC Davis.
melchor.college18@gmail.com
Originally from Ukiah, Carlos majored in biochemistry. On his free time, he's playing soccer, watching his favorite team Liverpool, cooking both Mexican and Japanese dishes, and hanging out with his family and friends. He is currently a medical school student at UC Davis.
Julia R. Penick
jrpenick@csuchico.edu
Originally from Redding, Julia majors in chemistry and minors in biochemistry. She enjoys being an SI leader, working out, and spending time with her dogs. She started her Ph.D. in chemistry at UC Santa Cruz in September 2023.
jrpenick@csuchico.edu
Originally from Redding, Julia majors in chemistry and minors in biochemistry. She enjoys being an SI leader, working out, and spending time with her dogs. She started her Ph.D. in chemistry at UC Santa Cruz in September 2023.
Celia F. Todd
cftodd0@ucsc.edu
A native of Oroville, Celia double majored in chemistry and biochemistry. When not studying, she writes to keep her passion for literature burning bright and enjoys playing MMORPGs. She is currently pursuing her PhD in chemistry at UC Santa Cruz.
cftodd0@ucsc.edu
A native of Oroville, Celia double majored in chemistry and biochemistry. When not studying, she writes to keep her passion for literature burning bright and enjoys playing MMORPGs. She is currently pursuing her PhD in chemistry at UC Santa Cruz.
Susana (Susie) Z. Uribe
suribe7@mail.csuchico.edu
A native of Long Beach, Susie double majored in chemistry and biochemistry. Ever since 5th grade when she was tasked to draw the anatomy of an esophagus, she has aspired to become a physician. She is currently an EMT in Chicago, IL.
suribe7@mail.csuchico.edu
A native of Long Beach, Susie double majored in chemistry and biochemistry. Ever since 5th grade when she was tasked to draw the anatomy of an esophagus, she has aspired to become a physician. She is currently an EMT in Chicago, IL.
Sungwon Yoon
syoon8@uh.edu
All the way from Seoul, South Korea, Sungwon majored in chemistry with a mathematics minor. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures. Although she hasn’t been to many countries yet, she plans to explore more countries in the future. She worked at Nanotech Energy, a graphene battery startup company, before pursuing her PhD in chemistry at University of Houston.
syoon8@uh.edu
All the way from Seoul, South Korea, Sungwon majored in chemistry with a mathematics minor. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures. Although she hasn’t been to many countries yet, she plans to explore more countries in the future. She worked at Nanotech Energy, a graphene battery startup company, before pursuing her PhD in chemistry at University of Houston.
