Do you have questions about getting involved with mentored research as an undergraduate? Ask experts who are undergraduates themselves!
These peer mentors are currently working on their own research projects, and are available to talk to you about the research process. They have the experience and training to answer questions such as:
- “How do I get started with my research?”
- “Will I get paid to work on research, or am I eligible for a special scholarship?”
- “How do I find a faculty mentor who will oversee and guide my work and training?”
How to Meet with a Peer Mentor
We use Microsoft Bookings to schedule in-person or virtual meetings between students and our peer mentors. After first selecting whether you want to have a 30-minute in-person or a virtual meeting (hosted on Microsoft Teams), you can then select a time based on our peer mentors’ availability. You can also optionally select the peer mentor you want to meet with. We ask you for your name, WSU email, and a few details about your academic and research interests. Once you book an appointment, a reminder about the meeting will be sent to the email you provided.
Please note: Mentors are not available during summer break, WSU breaks, WSU holidays, the week before final examinations, or the week of final exams. Be sure to double check the WSU academic calendar to confirm these dates. (You will see that peer mentors’ availability on Microsoft Bookings should account for these breaks.)
Fall 2025: The first day for Fall 2025 appointments is Tuesday, September 2. The last day for Fall 2025 appointments is Friday, November 21.
Spring 2026: The first day for Spring 2026 appointments is Monday, January 12. The last day for Spring 2026 appointments is Friday, April 24.
About Our Peer Mentors
Thomas Cline
Hometown: Vancouver, Washington
Major: Chemistry and Physics
Minor: Mathematics
Interesting fact: I have a German Shepard named Chance living with me in Pullman this year.
Research activities: I am currently doing research in the Kevin Kittilstved lab; I started in the spring 2025 semester. I am currently working on quantifying kinetics and energetics of the reduction of Cr atoms in Cr:Sr2TiO4 using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. I’ve been working on this project since around February 2025.
Major: Chemistry and Physics
Minor: Mathematics
Interesting fact: I have a German Shepard named Chance living with me in Pullman this year.
Research activities: I am currently doing research in the Kevin Kittilstved lab; I started in the spring 2025 semester. I am currently working on quantifying kinetics and energetics of the reduction of Cr atoms in Cr:Sr2TiO4 using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. I’ve been working on this project since around February 2025.
Tiana LaFollette
Honors College Student
Hometown: Zillah, Washington
Major: Neuroscience Pre-Medicine and Psychology
Minor: Chemistry
Interesting fact: When I am not in lab, I love to spend time with my cat Cooper! (He is a rare cat!), or I love to play games with friends.
Research activities: I have been working in the Dr. Gary Wayman lab for around 3 years now! I have been working on a variety of projects!
The first project is working on insulins affect in the developing hippocampus. Here I have studies P8 day old mice neurons seeing how intranasal insulin administration affects their synaptic development in the CA1 Region of the hippocampus. With this project, I have also studied how BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factors) and its receptor TrkB (Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase-B) had affects in the neurons, and how insulin affected the already affected neurons.
For the second project, I have been working on Kappa Opioids. I have been working on cloning different types of Kappa Opioids like Oprl1 (Opiod receptor like 1) and others! I mainly have been working on the cloning process of these kappa opioids, but I have started to put them into neurons to see the effects of these Kappa Opioids.
For the final project, I have been working on a paternal test. This test is to run male mice on a treadmill, later pairing them with a female mouse. Then, study their offspring to see how the hippocampus was affected due to the “father” exercising.
All this work has led to national awards at conferences at ABRCMS; SURCA awards, and even Oral Presentations for the honors college. I love research and everything it has done for me in my life! I am so excited to help others get involved in research and find their passion : )!
Hometown: Zillah, Washington
Major: Neuroscience Pre-Medicine and Psychology
Minor: Chemistry
Interesting fact: When I am not in lab, I love to spend time with my cat Cooper! (He is a rare cat!), or I love to play games with friends.
Research activities: I have been working in the Dr. Gary Wayman lab for around 3 years now! I have been working on a variety of projects!
The first project is working on insulins affect in the developing hippocampus. Here I have studies P8 day old mice neurons seeing how intranasal insulin administration affects their synaptic development in the CA1 Region of the hippocampus. With this project, I have also studied how BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factors) and its receptor TrkB (Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase-B) had affects in the neurons, and how insulin affected the already affected neurons.
For the second project, I have been working on Kappa Opioids. I have been working on cloning different types of Kappa Opioids like Oprl1 (Opiod receptor like 1) and others! I mainly have been working on the cloning process of these kappa opioids, but I have started to put them into neurons to see the effects of these Kappa Opioids.
For the final project, I have been working on a paternal test. This test is to run male mice on a treadmill, later pairing them with a female mouse. Then, study their offspring to see how the hippocampus was affected due to the “father” exercising.
All this work has led to national awards at conferences at ABRCMS; SURCA awards, and even Oral Presentations for the honors college. I love research and everything it has done for me in my life! I am so excited to help others get involved in research and find their passion : )!
Molly Lauby
Hometown: Snohomish, Washington
Major: Chemistry (B.S.)
Minor: Applied Math
Interesting fact: I pet a capybara this summer! Other than being involved in research, I am a Chemistry TA and the president of both the Chemistry Club and the Undergraduate Research Club.
Research activities: I have been involved in research since the spring of 2023. I started out in the Moreau lab, then ended up in the Kittilstved lab. In Dr. Kittilstved’s lab, I have been working on a project that focuses on doping magic size clusters (MSCs). The specific subsection of the project I am responsible for is doping ZnS MSCs with manganese. Magic-size clusters are highly stable nanoclusters with unique properties, and we can adjust those properties by adding in things like transition metals. The goal is to observe how these clusters grow and what properties they exhibit with the addition of manganese. Another aspect of my research that I am focusing on is developing my skill set in air-free synthesis through glovebox and Schlenk line techniques.
Research has been such a great place for fun opportunities and skill-building. When I joined the Kittilstved lab, it was brand new, so I got to see what it’s like to start up a lab in a new location. I have presented at SURCA here at WSU twice, as well as at two conferences – NORM 2024 and NCNW 2025. This summer, I stayed in Pullman as a research assistant, working in the lab, which was a lot of fun!
Major: Chemistry (B.S.)
Minor: Applied Math
Interesting fact: I pet a capybara this summer! Other than being involved in research, I am a Chemistry TA and the president of both the Chemistry Club and the Undergraduate Research Club.
Research activities: I have been involved in research since the spring of 2023. I started out in the Moreau lab, then ended up in the Kittilstved lab. In Dr. Kittilstved’s lab, I have been working on a project that focuses on doping magic size clusters (MSCs). The specific subsection of the project I am responsible for is doping ZnS MSCs with manganese. Magic-size clusters are highly stable nanoclusters with unique properties, and we can adjust those properties by adding in things like transition metals. The goal is to observe how these clusters grow and what properties they exhibit with the addition of manganese. Another aspect of my research that I am focusing on is developing my skill set in air-free synthesis through glovebox and Schlenk line techniques.
Research has been such a great place for fun opportunities and skill-building. When I joined the Kittilstved lab, it was brand new, so I got to see what it’s like to start up a lab in a new location. I have presented at SURCA here at WSU twice, as well as at two conferences – NORM 2024 and NCNW 2025. This summer, I stayed in Pullman as a research assistant, working in the lab, which was a lot of fun!
Taylor Page
Honors College Student
Hometown: Kennewick, Washington
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Chemistry
Interesting fact: In my free time, I love to sew! My most recent project was making a big quilt.
Research activities: I have been involved in research since the beginning of my time at WSU, and have now been in Dr. Kanako Hayashi’s lab for over 2 years. During this time, I have focused on women’s health and reproductive biology. I first worked on a project investigating non-steroidal therapies for endometriosis, which gave me my first experience with molecular techniques and helped me understand how research can address unmet needs in medicine. Currently, my project aims to investigate the role of uterine FBXW7 during pregnancy using a mouse model. FBXW7 has been characterized for its role during cancer as a tumor suppressing gene, but its function in the uterus during gestation remains largely unexplored. Understanding its role may uncover key mechanisms in implantation and successful pregnancy, potentially shedding light on causes of infertility. This project has given me the opportunity to gain experience across many techniques, from mouse handling and treatments to data analysis. My work includes histology, PCR and qPCR, surgical techniques, and microscope imaging, allowing me to build a broad and versatile research skill set.
Research has been an exciting place for me to grow both personally and professionally. I have presented my work at SURCA here at WSU, as well as at regional conferences, where I’ve learned how to better communicate my project to both specialists and broader audiences. Being part of a lab has not only given me hands-on skills but also a strong sense of purpose. I am excited to help other undergraduates find their place in a lab on campus!
Hometown: Kennewick, Washington
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Chemistry
Interesting fact: In my free time, I love to sew! My most recent project was making a big quilt.
Research activities: I have been involved in research since the beginning of my time at WSU, and have now been in Dr. Kanako Hayashi’s lab for over 2 years. During this time, I have focused on women’s health and reproductive biology. I first worked on a project investigating non-steroidal therapies for endometriosis, which gave me my first experience with molecular techniques and helped me understand how research can address unmet needs in medicine. Currently, my project aims to investigate the role of uterine FBXW7 during pregnancy using a mouse model. FBXW7 has been characterized for its role during cancer as a tumor suppressing gene, but its function in the uterus during gestation remains largely unexplored. Understanding its role may uncover key mechanisms in implantation and successful pregnancy, potentially shedding light on causes of infertility. This project has given me the opportunity to gain experience across many techniques, from mouse handling and treatments to data analysis. My work includes histology, PCR and qPCR, surgical techniques, and microscope imaging, allowing me to build a broad and versatile research skill set.
Research has been an exciting place for me to grow both personally and professionally. I have presented my work at SURCA here at WSU, as well as at regional conferences, where I’ve learned how to better communicate my project to both specialists and broader audiences. Being part of a lab has not only given me hands-on skills but also a strong sense of purpose. I am excited to help other undergraduates find their place in a lab on campus!
Eva Rickard
Honors College Student
Hometown: Billings, Montana
Major: Data Analytics
Minor: Math
Interesting fact: When I’m not in the lab or at the gym I like to spend my time cooking and doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu!
Research activities: I will start by saying in my undergraduate research experience I have found so much confidence in myself and my abilities. I am working with people and doing things that I never would have thought I could, because I found a topic I was passionate about and a lab that was keen to mentor. Finding a lab can seem intimidating, but I have found so much empowerment here and I want to help others find what I have!
I have been with the Duttke Lab for about two years, culminating in the Goldwater Research Award. My research focuses on decoding the complex gene regulatory networks implicated in Alzheimer’s, utilizing a novel technique called capped small (cs)RNA-seq. This method captures nascent transcription, revealing active promoters and enhancers in fresh or frozen tissues, including postmortem brain samples. By analyzing the transcriptional start sites with single nucleotide resolution, csRNA-seq enables a detailed exploration of how genetic variations, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), affect gene regulation. After a preliminary analysis of 15 samples and a proof of concept, my lab and I were sent 76 more human brains to process and analyze. We are so excited to see where all this new data will take us!
Hometown: Billings, Montana
Major: Data Analytics
Minor: Math
Interesting fact: When I’m not in the lab or at the gym I like to spend my time cooking and doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu!
Research activities: I will start by saying in my undergraduate research experience I have found so much confidence in myself and my abilities. I am working with people and doing things that I never would have thought I could, because I found a topic I was passionate about and a lab that was keen to mentor. Finding a lab can seem intimidating, but I have found so much empowerment here and I want to help others find what I have!
I have been with the Duttke Lab for about two years, culminating in the Goldwater Research Award. My research focuses on decoding the complex gene regulatory networks implicated in Alzheimer’s, utilizing a novel technique called capped small (cs)RNA-seq. This method captures nascent transcription, revealing active promoters and enhancers in fresh or frozen tissues, including postmortem brain samples. By analyzing the transcriptional start sites with single nucleotide resolution, csRNA-seq enables a detailed exploration of how genetic variations, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), affect gene regulation. After a preliminary analysis of 15 samples and a proof of concept, my lab and I were sent 76 more human brains to process and analyze. We are so excited to see where all this new data will take us!
Katy Touretsky
Honors College Student
Hometown: Yoqneam, Israel and San Jose, California
Major: Neuroscience Pre-Med
Minor: Spanish and Biology
Interesting fact: I love to read, and I used to be a Taekwon-Do Instructor.
Research activities: Since beginning my undergraduate studies at Washington State University, I have maintained continuous engagement in neuroscience research, joining the Delevich lab in my first month on campus. I have been recognized for academic and research excellence through multiple competitive awards, including the Auvil Fellowship Scholarship (2024, 2025), the Peter A. Zornes Scholarship, and the Neuroscience Endowed Scholarship (2024), and secured independent funding through the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Program (ADARP) to support my own year-long project. My research investigates the long-term effects of adolescent cannabis vapor exposure on region-specific microglial activation, corticostriatal circuitry, and anxiety-related behaviors, integrating behavioral neuroscience, immunohistochemistry, and advanced image analysis. Beyond my primary project, I have contributed to five additional studies, developed technical expertise in microscopy, machine learning, Python-based data analysis, rodent surgeries, dissections, and behavioral paradigms, and trained numerous new researchers—several of whom have since presented their own work. I have collaborated across disciplines to integrate computational approaches into neurobiological research, and I am a co-author on a manuscript currently under review for publication. I have presented at SURCA spring 2025, and I am scheduled to present at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS 2025) in San Antonio—for which I was awarded a travel grant—and at SURCA 2026.
Hometown: Yoqneam, Israel and San Jose, California
Major: Neuroscience Pre-Med
Minor: Spanish and Biology
Interesting fact: I love to read, and I used to be a Taekwon-Do Instructor.
Research activities: Since beginning my undergraduate studies at Washington State University, I have maintained continuous engagement in neuroscience research, joining the Delevich lab in my first month on campus. I have been recognized for academic and research excellence through multiple competitive awards, including the Auvil Fellowship Scholarship (2024, 2025), the Peter A. Zornes Scholarship, and the Neuroscience Endowed Scholarship (2024), and secured independent funding through the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Program (ADARP) to support my own year-long project. My research investigates the long-term effects of adolescent cannabis vapor exposure on region-specific microglial activation, corticostriatal circuitry, and anxiety-related behaviors, integrating behavioral neuroscience, immunohistochemistry, and advanced image analysis. Beyond my primary project, I have contributed to five additional studies, developed technical expertise in microscopy, machine learning, Python-based data analysis, rodent surgeries, dissections, and behavioral paradigms, and trained numerous new researchers—several of whom have since presented their own work. I have collaborated across disciplines to integrate computational approaches into neurobiological research, and I am a co-author on a manuscript currently under review for publication. I have presented at SURCA spring 2025, and I am scheduled to present at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS 2025) in San Antonio—for which I was awarded a travel grant—and at SURCA 2026.
Kate Yoon
Honors College Student
Hometown: Weiser, Idaho
Major: Biochemistry (Pre-med)
Minor: Psychology
Interesting fact: I have been playing the clarinet for 9 years and the saxophone for 4 years.
Research activities: Since January 2024, I have been conducting research in Driskell Laboratory at Washington State University, focusing on the mechanisms of scarless skin regeneration. This research explores why mammals heal more effectively when young and aims to uncover genetic and cellular factors to promote regenerative healing and combat aging.
My project examines whether dermal Lef1 expression is essential for scarless wound healing during development. By analyzing H&E-stained skin wound sections from wild-type and Dermal Lef1 knockout mice, I quantify hair regeneration as a measure of functional skin repair. These findings could inform treatments to induce regeneration in adult tissues.
I have also participated in UNIV 104, the Research Scholars Program, and presented at SURCA. These experiences has strengthened my expertise and passion for research, and I am committed to mentoring others interested in exploring it.
Hometown: Weiser, Idaho
Major: Biochemistry (Pre-med)
Minor: Psychology
Interesting fact: I have been playing the clarinet for 9 years and the saxophone for 4 years.
Research activities: Since January 2024, I have been conducting research in Driskell Laboratory at Washington State University, focusing on the mechanisms of scarless skin regeneration. This research explores why mammals heal more effectively when young and aims to uncover genetic and cellular factors to promote regenerative healing and combat aging.
My project examines whether dermal Lef1 expression is essential for scarless wound healing during development. By analyzing H&E-stained skin wound sections from wild-type and Dermal Lef1 knockout mice, I quantify hair regeneration as a measure of functional skin repair. These findings could inform treatments to induce regeneration in adult tissues.
I have also participated in UNIV 104, the Research Scholars Program, and presented at SURCA. These experiences has strengthened my expertise and passion for research, and I am committed to mentoring others interested in exploring it.