The Team

Summer 2026

Back row: Andy Evans (G2), Ernesto Lucatero (G3), Jessica Dickinson (G2), Allyson Wagner (G3), George Piepgras (G3), Alex Bender (G3), Abby Beagle (UG), Audrey Silvernail (G2), and Amanda Cook (PI)

Front row: Dr. Melanie Sheldon (Ph.D.), Allison LaSalvia (G5), Tracee Nguyen (G2), and Valeria Lomeli Ruealas (UG)

Amanda K. Cook

Assistant Professor

Email: akcook@uoregon.edu

Phone: (541) 346-7692

Office: 432 LISB

Faculty Page at University of Oregon

ORCiD Profile

Education and Research Experience

2015-2018, ETH Zürich, Christophe Copéret (post-doctoral fellow)

2010-2015, University of Michigan, Melanie Sanford, Ph.D. in Chemistry

2014, ICIQ, Antonio Echavarren (visiting graduate student)

2008-2010, CSU Fullerton, Christopher Hyland, B.S. in Chemistry

2009, University of Utah, Matthew Sigman (REU visiting undergraduate student)

2005-2008, Saddleback College, transfer to CSU Fullerton

Leadership and Outreach

2018-present, Faculty chair for the chemistry camp of UO's Summer Academy to Inspire Learning (SAIL)

2020-present, Faculty chair for the Near-Peer Mentoring Program (NPMP)

2020-present, Faculty co-chair for UO's Alliance in Diversity in STEM (ADSE) chapter

Biography

Amanda grew up in sunny southern California, where she discovered her love of hot, dry weather. She started college at Saddleback College, and then transferred to California State University Fullerton, where she graduated with a B.S. in chemistry in 2010. During her undergrad, she worked for Christopher Hyland on gold-catalyzed cyclization reactions of cyclopropenyl amines, and was bitten by the organometallic bug. She spent the summer of 2009 working for Matt Sigman at the University of Utah, and realized how cool palladium is. Naturally, she then went to the University of Michigan to work for Melanie Sanford to work on palladium-catalyzed C-H activation reactions, and after braving five long, dark, cold winters and discovering what snow is, she received her Ph.D. Amanda then decided to move to Switzerland, where she was a post-doctoral fellow in the group of Christophe Coperet, worked on heterogeneously catalyzed hydroamination reactions, and decided that snow isn't so bad, if you have mountains to ski on. Amanda moved back to the west coast to begin her independent career at the University of Oregon, where she is learning to keep plants alive and to love IPAs (not really) and pinot noir (definitely). The research in her group will use the tools of physical organic chemistry, bridge organometallic and surface chemistries, and develop new catalysts for the transformation of organic molecules.

Allison D. LaSalvia

Graduate Student (5th year)

Email: alasalvi@uoregon.edu

Office: 317A Klamath

Education and Research Experience

2022, Knox College BS in Chemistry, BA in Creative Writing, research with Helen Hoyt

Awards

2024, NSF GRFP

2022, Collegiate Scholar, Illinois Heartland American Chemical Society
2021, Baker-Velde Research Award, Knox College

Leadership and Outreach

2023- present: GTFF Chemistry Steward

2023- present WGS Fundraiser Co-chair
2023- present: Module Leader and module volunteer, Summer Academy to Inspire Learning (SAIL) Chemistry Summer Camp

Biography

Allison grew up in Swansea, Illinois before attending Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. During that time she worked with Dr. Helen Hoyt studying iron catalyzed hydrosilylation reactions. After graduated with a BS in Chemistry and Creative Writing in June 2022, she came to UO and joined the Cook Lab where she is studying catalytic systems using surface organometallic chemistry. Outside of lab, Allison enjoys being involved in the GTFF Union and WGS, writing poems, and hanging out outside with her dog, Amelia.

Alexandra L. Bender

Graduate Student (3rd year)

Email: albend@uoregon.edu

Office: 317A Klamath

Education and Research Experience

2024, Ursinus College BS in Chemistry, research with Amanda Reig

Awards

2024; ARCS Fellowship Awardee (Oregon Chapter), William L. Lettinger Chemistry Award, American Chemical Society Award in Inorganic Chemistry, Ursinus College Class of 2024 Salutatorian

2023; American Chemical Society Award in Analytical Chemistry, Ursinus College Arlene Andrews McLean Fellowship

2021; Phi Beta Kappa John Moore Wickersham Book Award, Ursinus College Zacharias Scholarship

Leadership and Outreach

2025-Present: UO ADSE PSLS Chair

2025-Present: GTFF Department Steward

2026-Present: Department Near Peer Mentor

Biography

Alex grew up in Horsham, Pennsylvania. She attended Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania where she majored in chemistry. During her time there, she studied metalloproteins and catalysis under Dr. Amanda Reig. During her time in undergrad, she was a member of the 2023 REU cohort at the University of Oregon, where she conducted research in the Cook Lab. She then later joined the Cook lab in 2025 and now studies nickel catalyst mechanism elucidation, surface organometallic chemistry, as well as cationic iron-hydride catalysis. Outside of lab, Alex enjoys thrifting, video games, and jigsaw puzzles.

Allyson Wagner

Graduate Student (3rd year)

Email: awag@uoregon.edu

Office: 317A Klamath

Education and Research Experience

2024; Salisbury University BS in Chemistry, research with

Awards

2024; University of Oregon Lokey Graduate Science Award, Allen R. Dudley Memorial Award in Chemistry (SU), ACS Inorganic Chemistry Award (SU)

Leadership and Outreach

2026-Present; Mentor, Near Peer Mentoring Program
2026; Eugene Science Center Volunteer
2025-2026; WGS JUMP! Mentor
2025; Bell Museum Volunteer

Biography

Ally was born and raised in Harford County, Maryland before attending Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland. During that time, she worked in research labs with Dr. Jose Juncosa, Dr. Jessica Heimann, and Dr. Allison Dewald, acquiring experience in organic, inorganic, and biochemistry. Additionally, she completed a summer REU in Darren Johnson’s lab at the University of Oregon in 2023, focusing on supramolecular anion recognition. After graduating from Salisbury with a B.S. in Chemistry and B.A. in Psychology in 2024, she came to UO and joined as a co-advised student between Prof. Amanda Cook and Prof. Darren Johnson. She conducts research as part of the NSF Center for Aqueous Supramolecular Chemistry (CASC) and focuses on the transformation of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Outside of lab, Ally enjoys running, crocheting, hiking, and playing with her dog, Polly.

Ernesto Lucatero

Graduate Student (3rd year)

Email: eluc@uoregon.edu

Office: 317A Klamath

Education and Research Experience

2024; California State University, Chico. Research with Monica So

Biography

Ernesto grew up in Marysville, California before attending California State University, Chico. During that time Ernesto worked with Dr. Monica So on catalytic oxidative desulfurization reactions using metal-organic frameworks. After graduating with a B.S. in Biochemistry in May 2024, he joined UO for its emphasis on interdisciplinary inorganic/organic research. In Amanda Cook’s lab, he is studying cationic metal hydrides and their role in catalytic functionalization of industrially relevant organic substrates. Outside of lab, Ernesto enjoys hanging out with friends, the gym, and going to the movies.

George Piepgras

Graduate Student (3rd year)

Email: piepgras@uoregon.edu

Office: 317A Klamath

Education and Research Experience

2024; Fort Lewis College BS in Chemistry, research with William Collins, Michael Grubb, and Aimee Morris

Biography

George is a third-year graduate student in the Cook Lab with a specialty in surface organometallic chemistry and chlorosilane activation. In his free time, he enjoys racing cyclocross, XC MTB, road, and gravel. He also coaches for the local Eugene NICA team and is the president of the UO cycling club. George also enjoys skiing and sport climbing

Jessica Dickinson

Graduate Student (2nd year)

Email: jessad@uoregon.edu

Office: 317A Klamath

Education and Research Experience

2025; University of Utah, research with Qilei Zhu

Awards

2024-2025; Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) Award (UU), University of Utah, Presidential Scholarship, Dr. Ryan DeLuca Scholarship for Chemistry, Ferdinand A. & Ruth Anderson Peterson Scholarship

Leadership and Outreach

2023-2025; College of Science Ambassador (UU), College of Science First Year Student Mentorship (UU)

2022; Orientation Leader (U of U)

Biography

Jess grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Salt Lake City to attend the University of Utah for her bachelor's degree in Chemistry. There, she conducted undergraduate research in Assistant Prof. Qilei Zhu's group, developing novel electrocatalytic chemical reactions through rational catalyst design. After participating in the summer REU in the lab, she secured funding for her project to develop an electrochemical method to synthesize thioethers for two semesters. In Utah, Jess also discovered her passion for teaching and worked as an organic chemistry teaching assistant, climbing coach, and ski instructor. After graduating from U of U, she followed her passion for catalytic chemistry in Prof. Amanda Cook's lab at the University of Oregon, where she is now studying regioselective alkene isomerization via nickel hydride catalysts. Jess has also been enjoying new hobbies in Oregon, including trail running and backpacking

Tracee Nguyen

Graduate Student (2nd year)

Email: tratn@uoregon.edu

Office: 317A Klamath

Education and Research Experience

2025; University of Hawaii, research with Godwin Severa

Awards

2025; Outstanding Learning Assistant Award (UO)

2024; HEXT Workshop Attendee (UH)

2023; MRS Spring Conference PREM Poster Award (UH)

2021; Takitani Foundation Scholar (UH)
2021; Hawaii Community Foundation Scholar (UH)
2021-2025 UH Mānoa New Warrior Provost Scholar (UH)

Leadership and Outreach

2025; SOEST Discover Manoa Day Volunteer

 2022-2025; University of Hawaii at Mānoa and University of Washington Nano-camp Volunteer

2022; Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Science Fair Student Judge

Biography

Tracee was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, where she attended the University of
Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Alongside her chemistry research in Dr. Godwin Severa’s group, she
pursued interests in science communication and education, including an internship in
Japan that provided experience with STEM education in an international setting. During her
undergraduate research, she collaborated with Dr. Brandi Cossairt and Dr. Lilo Pozzo at the
University of Washington to study the synthesis of transition metal borides for hydrogen
storage applications and gained hands-on experience with small-angle X-ray scattering
(SAXS). After graduating from UHM, Tracee joined Dr. Amanda Cook’s lab at the University
of Oregon, where she now studies cobalt- and nickel-based pincer complexes for
hydrogenation catalysis and other related chemical transformations.