Sunny Shi honored with RSC Certificate of Undergraduate Excellence
The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (CCB) celebrated undergraduate researcher Sunny Shi on June 8, 2026, during the department's Summer Undergraduate Research Community Opening Social, where she was presented with the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Certificate of Undergraduate Excellence Award.
The award recognizes exceptional undergraduate achievement in the chemical sciences and is presented to students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance, research accomplishments, and commitment to the field. Sunny's selection for this honor reflects her significant contributions as an undergraduate researcher and scholar within the CCB community.
The presentation took place as part of CCB's annual summer research kickoff event, which brought together undergraduate researchers, faculty members, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and mentors to launch the summer research season. The evening featured welcoming remarks from Professor Dan Kahne, Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, who spoke about the importance of undergraduate research experiences and the vibrant research community that supports student success.
Prior to receiving the award, Sunny shared reflections on her undergraduate research journey and the impact that research experiences have had on her academic and professional development. Her remarks provided inspiration to the incoming cohort of summer researchers as they prepare to start working on their own research projects.
Professor Kahne then surprised Sunny with the formal presentation of the RSC Certificate of Undergraduate Excellence Award. The recognition was met with enthusiastic applause from attendees, who joined in celebrating her achievements and contributions to the department.
The event also included a student reflection from Chris Paraison, a previous FUEL participant who will be conducting research in Professor Eric Jacobsen’s laboratory this summer. The kick-off event also included networking opportunities designed to foster connections among students and research mentors across the department.
By combining the award presentation with the summer research kickoff, CCB highlighted both the accomplishments of current student researchers and the opportunities that lie ahead for the next generation of undergraduate scientists. Sunny's recognition serves as a testament to the excellence of undergraduate research within the department and the supportive community that helps students thrive. Congratulations to Sunny Shi on this well deserved honor.
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