The ACS Pride subdivision of the Division of Professional Relations (PROF) and Merck are excited to award seven (7) more recipients of the ACS Pride Merck Graduate Research Award. These graduate students will speak at a special symposium hosted by PROF at the 2025 Spring ACS Meeting in San Diego, CA. Below are the recipients’ bios and a quote from them about receiving the award.
2025 ACS Pride Merck Graduate Award recipients
Aamy Bakry [he/him], University of Maryland
Aamy got his undergraduate degree in chemistry with a minor in business at the University of Richmond. There, he began research during his first year, leading to three published articles. As a graduate student at University of Maryland, he plans on continuing his research as an aspiring quantum chemist interested in electronic structure theory and the development of new computational methods for simulating extensive systems in condensed phases, with the goal of designing more efficient catalytic surfaces and engineering high-performance supramolecular materials.
“Receiving this award is not just a personal achievement, but a powerful reminder that the future of science is inclusive. It encourages me to continue working toward a community where everyone feels they belong, and where diverse minds collaborate to drive meaningful scientific progress.”
Prateek Bansal [he/him], University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign
Prateek earned his BE in Chemical Engineering at the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai and received awards for academic excellence and gained research experience in labs of Prof. Dasgupta at Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. At UIUC, he is a student in the Shukla Group working on computational methods to study the underlying biophysical mechanisms of various therapeutically interesting targets.
“I am extremely grateful to have won this award. The ACS Pride Merck Graduate Student Research Award underpins the importance of recognizing the often-forgotten minorities within our society. I believe that receiving this award will give hope to fellow queer students who come from countries where aspects of being queer are still outlawed.”
Suritra Bandyopadhyay [he/they], University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign
Suri received his undergraduate and master’s degree at the National Institute of Science Education and Research, in Bhubaneswar, India. At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, his research involves designing activatable porphyrins as theranostic tools in the lab of Prof. Jeff Chan. Also, he is an active member in his local ACS section, East-Central Illinois, as the vice-chair of YCC.
“I feel truly seen and heard through this recognition. What makes this award especially meaningful is the opportunity to be mentored by Merck scientists at a critical stage in my career. As a third-year graduate student, I wake up every morning wondering about my career choices, and receiving this award feels like a gift at just the right time to help me navigate this path. Besides, this award is more than just a personal achievement; it’s a beacon of hope for the young queer individuals from back home, like me, who look up to me. This recognition symbolizes the strength, courage, and resilience of LGBTQ+ individuals across India!”
Jonathan Martinez-Garcia [he/she/they], University of Texas – Dallas
Jonathan was born and raised in Toluca, Mexico where they got their bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico (UAEMéx). He is part of the Meloni Lab, and his research focuses on the study of transmembrane proteins responsible for copper homeostasis in infectious pathogens. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, swimming, baking, and playing video games. They are also an advocate for LGBTQ+ community.
“It is an honor to be recognized for my scientific work as a queer Mexican chemist. It is inspiring to know ACS values diversity in science, and the award motivates me to continue working in my research and advocate for the representation of queer scientists in STEM.”
Brendan Nieukirk [he/they], University of Notre Dame
Brendan is a current PhD student in in the University of Notre Dame’s Chemistry department, studying plasmonic nanomaterials under Dr. Svetlana Neretina. They graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a Chemistry major and Mathematics minor.
“I am honored and humbled to be recognized in the second class of ACS Pride-Merck awardees. Being recognized in this way inspires me to continue doing great science while helping amplify LGBTQ+ voices in the chemistry community. Winning this award will be greatly beneficial to my development as a young chemist, not only by allowing me to share my research with a wider audience but also by helping me build my professional and queer chemistry networks.”
Emily Stacy [she/her], Cornell University
Emily grew up in Hunterdon County, New Jersey and earned her B.S. in Chemistry and B.S in Biochemistry from Virginia Tech. As an undergraduate researcher, she worked in the Carlier group on the synthesis of betacarboline amides for use as antimalarial drugs. In the Milner lab, Emily will be working on a variety of MOF catalysts. Outside of the lab, she enjoys skiing, reading (especially books in the magical realism genre), and spending time with her cat Fig.
“Having a queer community has been instrumental in embracing my own queer identity and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue building that community with a group of such amazing chemists. This award validates my work strengthening and supporting diversity efforts
in my department and throughout Ithaca. I’m excited to see how this program encourages LGBTQ+ graduate students to continue engaging in outreach and using their voices for good.”
Parker Staub [he/they], University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Parker grew up in a small Civil War town in Pennsylvania called Gettysburg. They moved west to attend the University of Pittsburgh, where they initially intended to become a physical therapist. He pivoted when he took organic chemistry, which was one of the best decisions of his life. Their graduate research in the Douglas lab involves the development and application of synthetic methods using transition metals and chiral organocatalysts.
“I’m truly honored to be named an awardee! Feeling seen and valued is extremely important for folks holding underrepresented identities, and I’m thankful that career development opportunities for the LGBTQIA2S+ STEM community like this award exist. I’m looking forward to meeting some outstanding queer chemists, and to give back to the LGBTQIA2S+ community in STEM through continued support and service!”
The ACS Pride Subdivision is one of the communities within the Division of Professional Relations and welcomes all queer chemical scientists and allies. If you would like to get more involved, please reach out to the ACS Pride leadership at acspride@acsprof.org.
