Research Staff
Student Staff
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Hanna Clark
College of Western Idaho
I grew up in a small town in Iowa, in a house over 100 years old, with my great-grandparents just up the street. My family spent a lot of time outdoors, whether in nature with our dogs or on 40-mile weekend bike rides. I was often reading, climbing trees, or attempting both at the same time. My dad built a treehouse with a zipline in our backyard, and we always had a project in the works, which sparked my love for building and fixing things.I’ve always been very curious and enjoyed learning new things. In middle school, my best friend and I began teaching ourselves foreign languages for fun, an interest I pursued by taking over five years of language classes. In 2016, I transferred to BSU after my parents relocated to Boise, but I paused my studies to work as a phlebotomist. In that role, I was trained as a technician on apheresis machines, where I developed an appreciation for mechanical systems and awakened a curiosity about how they function.Recently, I re-enrolled as an engineering student and am enjoying the opportunity to gain an understanding of mechanics and material properties. I’ve had the chance to gain hands-on experience in the SSL, where I was introduced to Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Learning what can be analyzed at the nanoscale has been fascinating, and the skills I’m developing in the lab will be invaluable as I prepare to navigate the engineering field.I grew up in a small town in Iowa, in a house over 100 years old, with my great-grandparents just up the street. My family spent a lot of time outdoors, whether in nature with our dogs or on 40-mile weekend bike rides. I was often reading, climbing trees, or attempting both at the same time. My dad built a treehouse with a zipline in our backyard, and we always had a project in the works, which sparked my love for building and fixing things.I’ve always been very curious and enjoyed learning new things. In middle school, my best friend and I began teaching ourselves foreign languages for fun, an interest I pursued by taking over five years of language classes. In 2016, I transferred to BSU after my parents relocated to Boise, but I paused my studies to work as a phlebotomist. In that role, I was trained as a technician on apheresis machines, where I developed an appreciation for mechanical systems and awakened a curiosity about how they function.Recently, I re-enrolled as an engineering student and am enjoying the opportunity to gain an understanding of mechanics and material properties. I’ve had the chance to gain hands-on experience in the SSL, where I was introduced to Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Learning what can be analyzed at the nanoscale has been fascinating, and the skills I’m developing in the lab will be invaluable as I prepare to navigate the engineering field. -
Victor Nguyen
Major: Business and Economic Analytics
Victor is a Staff Sergeant in the Air National Guard. Growing up in Meridian, Victor graduated from Rocky Mountain High School and enrolled in the United States Air Force in 2016. Following his separation from active duty, Victor began working in the SSL in the winter of 2020. Gaining experience from his ongoing internship in Micron’s SSL and by shadowing projects he is learning a wide range of AFM techniques. His inspiration for science, specifically space, stemmed from the movies Interstellar and October Sky, which portray humanity advancing towards a seemingly unreachable goal. Accordingly, Victor hopes to work for either SpaceX or NASA after graduating with his degree in Business and Economic Analytics.
Victor is a Staff Sergeant in the Air National Guard. Growing up in Meridian, Victor graduated from Rocky Mountain High School and enrolled in the United States Air Force in 2016. Following his separation from active duty, Victor began working in the SSL in the winter of 2020. Gaining experience from his ongoing internship in Micron’s SSL and by shadowing projects he is learning a wide range of AFM techniques. His inspiration for science, specifically space, stemmed from the movies Interstellar and October Sky, which portray humanity advancing towards a seemingly unreachable goal. Accordingly, Victor hopes to work for either SpaceX or NASA after graduating with his degree in Business and Economic Analytics.
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Nolan Olaso
Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, Nolan grew up with a love for the outdoors, backpacking and hiking often with his father. Drawn to STEM early, Nolan recalls eagerly waiting at home for his older brother to return from school and teach him what he had learned that day in science class. This love of learning followed Nolan throughout high school; where he graduated with his Associates of Arts in addition to his high school diploma. In high school, Nolan initially planned on pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering, but he discovered a passion for computers after researching and building his own system during junior year. Nolan matriculated at Boise State in 2021, and began pursuing a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, hoping to learn more about semiconductors and semiconductor devices. Excited by the widespread use and numerous applications of atomic force microscopy (AFM) in semiconductor research, he hopes to learn all he can in the Surface Science Lab (SSL) before graduating in spring of 2025.
Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, Nolan grew up with a love for the outdoors, backpacking and hiking often with his father. Drawn to STEM early, Nolan recalls eagerly waiting at home for his older brother to return from school and teach him what he had learned that day in science class. This love of learning followed Nolan throughout high school; where he graduated with his Associates of Arts in addition to his high school diploma. In high school, Nolan initially planned on pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering, but he discovered a passion for computers after researching and building his own system during junior year. Nolan matriculated at Boise State in 2021, and began pursuing a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, hoping to learn more about semiconductors and semiconductor devices. Excited by the widespread use and numerous applications of atomic force microscopy (AFM) in semiconductor research, he hopes to learn all he can in the Surface Science Lab (SSL) before graduating in spring of 2025.
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Eric Grando
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Eric grew up on the East Coast, where he developed a love for the outdoors, often spending his time hiking and exploring nature. After earning his bachelor’s degree in ecology from SUNY Binghamton, Eric decided to pursue a different path, drawn to the technical challenges of engineering. He began his journey as a non-traditional student at Boise State University, where he is now studying mechanical engineering and minoring in biomedical engineering.
In Fall 2023, Eric joined the Surface Science Lab (SSL) and was excited by the lab’s multidisciplinary approach. His research on magnesium alloys involves utilizing advanced techniques such as KPFM (Kelvin probe force microscopy) to study corrosion mechanisms and QNM (quantitative nanomechanical mapping) to examine the mechanical properties of biocompatible coatings. Passionate about biomedical engineering, Eric aims to develop solutions that improve implant performance and predictability. Expected to graduate in Fall 2025, Eric continues to explore the intersection of materials science and biomedical applications, with the hope of making a meaningful impact in the field.”
Eric grew up on the East Coast, where he developed a love for the outdoors, often spending his time hiking and exploring nature. After earning his bachelor’s degree in ecology from SUNY Binghamton, Eric decided to pursue a different path, drawn to the technical challenges of engineering. He began his journey as a non-traditional student at Boise State University, where he is now studying mechanical engineering and minoring in biomedical engineering.
In Fall 2023, Eric joined the Surface Science Lab (SSL) and was excited by the lab’s multidisciplinary approach. His research on magnesium alloys involves utilizing advanced techniques such as KPFM (Kelvin probe force microscopy) to study corrosion mechanisms and QNM (quantitative nanomechanical mapping) to examine the mechanical properties of biocompatible coatings. Passionate about biomedical engineering, Eric aims to develop solutions that improve implant performance and predictability. Expected to graduate in Fall 2025, Eric continues to explore the intersection of materials science and biomedical applications, with the hope of making a meaningful impact in the field.”
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Suemy Batista
Undergraduate Research Assistant
| Name | Major | Graduation Year | Where did they land after graduating? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Bailey | Materials Science and Engineering | 2024 | Micron |
| Alejandra Almarez | Materials Science and Engineering | 2024 | PhD Student in the ANML |
| Fabian Molina | Pre-engineering (College of Western Idaho) | – | – |
| Ashton Enrriques | Materials Science and Engineering | 2022 | Engineer at Park AFM |
| Audrey Parker | Materials Science and Engineering | 2022 | Graduate Student at MIT |
| Sophia Mitchell | Materials Science and Engineering | 2021 | – |
| Olivia Maryon | Materials Science and Engineering | 2020 | PhD student in MSE at Boise State |
| Jesse Schimpf | Materials Science and Engineering | 2020 | – |
| Sam Ryan | (Bishop Kelly High School/US Military Academy) | – | – |
| Kari Livingston Higginbotham | Mechanical Engineering | 2018 | – |
| Katie Livingston Yocham | Mechanical Engineering | 2016 | – |
| Corey Efaw | Mechanical Engineering | 2015 | – |
| Jasen Nielsen | Mechanical Engineering | 2015 | – |