Research Group
Undergraduate Students
Anders Johnson, Winter 2024 - present
Andie Jennings, Fall 2023 - present
Owen Akopiantz, Spring 2023 - present
Will Marchand, Spring 2023 - present
Hosanna Abbay, Spring 2022 - present
Henry Thornes, Spring 2022 - present
M.S. Students
Ayomide Oluwafemi, Fall 2022 - present
We have openings for graduate researchers to pursue an M.S. thesis degree in computational chemistry! Please contact Dr. Kowalczyk for details.
Visiting Scholars
Dr. Asnake Haile, June 2022
USAfrI Visiting Scholar, Assosa University
Group Photo Archive
a group of students pose on and around a boulder Summer 2017
a group of students poses on a wooden sculpture Summer 2016
a group poses on a mountain with a mountain range and blue sky behind them. Summer 2015 group hike
A small group of students poses on a wooden sculpture Winter 2015
Research Group Alumnx
Graduate Program
Gunnar Carlson, M.S. Chemistry, Spring 2021
Thesis: Implementation of a Constraint and Configuration Interaction Methodology Into Density Functional Tight Binding
Dario Cirlincione, Fall 2020 - Spring 2021
Reuben Szabo, M.S. Chemistry, Winter 2021
Thesis: Extension of Restricted Open-Shell Kohn-Sham Methodology to a Density-Functional Tight-Binding Framework
Megan Deshaye, M.S. Chemistry, Fall 2020
Thesis: Development of TI-DFTB: Transition Dipole Moment Calculations in a Time-Independent Density Functional Tight-Binding Framework
Narissa (Risa) Kanlayakan, Spring 2019 - Spring 2020
RGJ PhD Visiting Scholar, Chiang Mai University (CCL-CMU)
Preeyaporn (Priaw) Poldorn, Fall 2018 - Fall 2019
RGJ PhD Visiting Scholar, Ubon Ratchathani University (CTC-UBU)
Brian Barragan-Cruz, Summer 2019
M.S. Computer Science, WWU (Hutchinson group), Fall 2019
Chanatkran (Natty) Prommin, Spring 2018 - Spring 2019
RGJ PhD Visiting Scholar, Chiang Mai University (CCL-CMU)
Thesis advisor: Nawee Kungwan, CMU Chemistry
Keenan Komoto, M.S. Chemistry, Spring 2017
Thesis: A Computational Investigation of BODIPY Excited State Properties and Photosensitization of Molecular Oxygen
Undergraduate Program
Date indicates most recent quarter active in the group as an undergraduate (not necessarily quarter of graduation)
Katie Snyder, B.S. Chemistry (Central Washington University), Summer 2023 (REU)
Alana Sullivan, B.S. Behavioral Neuroscience, Materials Science minor, Summer 2023
Megan Robbins, B.S. Chemistry, Summer 2023
Christine Frederickson, B.S. Chemistry, Summer 2023
Tom Wheaton, B.S. Chemistry with Honors, Summer 2023
Brandon Parker, B.S. Chemistry with Honors, Summer 2023
Charlie DeFreest, B.A. Biochemistry, Spring 2023
Wesley Hager, B.S. Chemistry, Spring 2022
Sam Cummings, Spring 2022 - Summer 2022
Angelica Satumbaga, Spring 2022 - Summer 2022
Txell Smith-Aguirre, B.S. Chemistry, Spring 2022
Tanner Leo, B.S. Plastics & Composites Engineering, Materials Science minor, Fall 2021
Alex Wrede, B.S. Biochemistry, Fall 2021
Garrett Fitzsimmons, B.S. Physics & Astronomy, Materials Science minor, Summer 2021
Ian McCleary, B.S. Computer Science, Mathematics minor, Summer 2021
Megan Miller, B.S. Environmental Sciences, Summer 2021
Noah Sinnes, B.S. Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Chemistry minor, Summer 2021
Gideon Wolfe, B.S. Computer Science, Spring 2021
Trevor Hargrave, B.S. EE/Energy, Materials Science minor, Spring 2020
Andrew Mehs, Summer 2019
Ryan Lingg*, B.S. Computer Science, Summer 2019
Jason Stockwell+, B.S. Chemistry, Summer 2019
Sage Pavey+, B.S. Chemistry, Summer 2019
Joyce Kim, Sehome H.S. student, Spring 2019 - Summer 2019
Anna Lamping, Summer 2017
Kelly Yokuda, B.S. Chemistry with Honors, Spring 2019
Vanessa Nguyen, B.S. Chemistry, Fall 2017
Matthew Paige, B.S. Applied Mathematics, Fall 2017
Justin Doyle, B.S. Chemistry, Fall 2017
Emily McCracken, B.S. Chemistry, Fall 2017
Khoa Le, B.S. Chemistry, Math & Biology minors, Spring 2017
Zoe Pollard, B.S. Mathematics, Materials Science minor, Winter 2017
Alessandro Banducci, B.S. Physics and Mathematics, Winter 2017
Alyssa Goodey, B.S. Biochemistry, Energy Science minor, Fall 2016
Hillary Pan, B.S. Physics (Oberlin College), Summer 2016 (REU)
Natalya Garcia, B.S. Chemistry, Materials Science minor, Summer 2016
Viktor Laszlo, B.S. Chemistry, Materials Science minor, Fall 2015
Daniel Dupont, B.S. Physics at University of Utah, Spring 2015
* = summer researcher co-advised with Prof. Brian Hutchinson, Computer Science
+ = summer researcher co-advised with Prof. Margaret Scheuermann, Chemistry
Prospective Students
Our group reflects the interdisciplinary nature of materials science research: current and recently graduated members include chemistry, biochemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer science majors, as well as materials and energy science minors. A team-oriented attitude and an interest in tackling materials science challenges through modeling and simulation are the most important prerequisites for our research; prior coursework in quantum mechanics, linear algebra, organic chemistry, and computer programming are all a plus. WWU undergraduates and prospective masters students with an interest our work are welcome to contact Dr. Kowalczyk (email, or drop by CB 241) to discuss current opportunities.