Pomona College recently highlighted undergraduate students Eva Chen ’27 and Ryan Mooney ’27 for their selection as Beckman Scholars for the 2025-26 academic year. Both students spent their summers working closely alongside faculty mentors to execute intensive, independent research projects within chemistry and the life sciences. Their Beckman honors highlight their outstanding potential as undergraduate researchers in their respective fields.

The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation supplies total funding of $26,000 to each scholar-mentor pair. This financial support covers full-time research efforts spanning two consecutive summers, alongside part-time research conducted during the intervening academic year. A dedicated selection committee operating at Pomona College determines the annual recipients of this prestigious designation. Prior cohorts of Beckman Scholars at the institution include Sebastian Kinzie ’26 and Anji Sipkins-Chenn ’27, Daniel Gao ’25 and Ava Spiegler ’26, as well as Santiago Serrano ’25 and Alexandra Turvey ’24.

Eva Chen, a chemistry major originally hailing from Orange, California, conducted her summer investigation inside Seaver North under the guidance of Matthew Sazinsky, Professor of Chemistry. Her project concentrated on protein toxin-antitoxin systems, specifically examining the VapBC31 complex and its role in the persistence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacterium is responsible for tuberculosis, an infectious pulmonary condition recognized as a leading global cause of mortality. Working inside Professor Sazinsky’s laboratory, Chen focused on the kinetic and structural characterization of this specific VapBC31 strain. Her research carried two primary objectives: evaluating the complex as a potential therapeutic target and helping to reduce the overall prevalence of recurring tuberculosis cases worldwide.

Reflecting on her project, Chen noted that the complex is largely unexplored territory in academic literature. She expressed that her favorite aspect of research involves unconventional thinking to address challenges that others have not yet tackled. Throughout her time at Pomona College, Chen has found significant inspiration from visiting academic figures hosted by the Chemistry Department, most notably Nobel laureate Dr. Carolyn Bertozzi, who served as the 2025 Robbins Lecture speaker. This exposure, coupled with her direct laboratory experience, has guided her toward pursuing either an MD or an MD-Ph.D. educational track after graduation. She remarked that witnessing the tangible reach of independent work and observing the dedication of others in problem-solving has deeply reinforced her commitment to scientific inquiry.

Meanwhile, Ryan Mooney, a molecular biology major from Denver, Colorado, advanced his ongoing investigations within the laboratory of Malkiat Johal, Professor of Chemistry. Mooney focused on developing an adoptive T-cell therapy intended for combating solid-phase cancers, which are tumor-forming malignancies. Because his mother achieved remission after a personal battle with cancer, Mooney’s scientific focus carries deep personal significance, and this dedication also earned him the national Goldwater Scholarship earlier in the year. Partnering with Professor Johal, Mooney expanded his research to examine the biophysical mechanics governing the specific interactions between T-cell receptors and target proteins located on cancer cells. His ultimate objective centers on isolating cancer targets precisely to avoid damaging healthy tissue during treatment.

Mooney explained that he plans to utilize specialized laboratory instrumentation to analyze binding kinetics, observing whether specific binding rates correlate with T-cell activation and cancer cell destruction to guide future immune protein engineering. Receiving notable honors such as the Goldwater Scholarship and the Beckman award provides a strong validation of his efforts to improve cancer treatment approaches. He mentioned that undergraduates often struggle with self-doubt regarding their capacity to produce meaningful science, but receiving endorsement from both the Beckman Foundation and the Pomona faculty selection committee reinforces his belief in the value of his research. When planning applications and seeking competitive research opportunities, students often explore Ivy League strategies to enhance their academic positioning.

To read the complete announcement and view related media from Pomona College, please check the official portal directly.

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