Our Undergraduate Chemistry Ambassadors have different hobbies, interests, backgrounds, and goals; but one thing they share is a love of chemistry!
Whether you are a current UW-Madison student, already a declared chemistry major, or if you are a prospective UW-Madison student, our Chemistry Ambassadors are here to answer your questions about our chemistry courses from a student perspective. The Ambassadors can give their opinions on course selection, course sequencing, and life as a chemistry major overall! Some examples of questions you may want to ask our ambassadors are: “Do you have any tips for finding a research group?”, “What were your experiences with organic chemistry?”, “Have you taken any chemistry classes over the summer? If so, how did you find the workload?”, “If you’re a double major, how do you find balance in completing all of the courses required?”.
To contact our Ambassadors, please send your questions to: ambassador@chem.wisc.edu. If there is a specific ambassador you have questions for, please state that in your email.
For specific questions regarding major exploration, major declaration, or individual course planning please contact the Chemisty Advisor, Katie McCullough, at: klmccullough@wisc.edu.
Specific questions about chemistry undergraduate research? Don’t hesitate to contact our Chemistry Undergraduate Research Board to learn more!
Interested in becoming an ambassador? Recruitment for the 2025-2026 academic year has already taken place. The positions for the 2026-2027 academic year will begin in March 2026! Contact the Chemistry Advisor with any questions.
Meet our Ambassadors!
MASON FREEMAN
YEAR: Senior
MAJOR(S): Chemistry
HOMETOWN: Hortonville, WI
FAVORITE CHEMISTRY COURSE: The most interesting chemistry course I have taken so far at UW was definitely inorganic (CHEM 311), I enjoyed learning more about the mechanisms behind color and getting an introduction into solid-state chemistry.
FAVORITE PLACE ON CAMPUS: The historical society is my favorite place on campus, little details give the building a lot of life that you don’t see in newer construction (although we do all love the chemistry building!).
FUN FACT: I solo backpacked around Japan for 10 days in the middle of winter with no reservations, just to see where the wind (and trains) would take me.
ANNIKA GOLDSTEIN
YEAR: Senior
MAJOR(S): Chemistry
HOMETOWN: Boston, MA
FAVORITE CHEMISTRY COURSE: My favorite chemistry course so far has been CHEM 345 (Organic Chemistry 2). It opened my eyes to how chemistry connects to so many different fields, and the course pushed me to think in new ways, especially when it came to understanding reaction mechanisms and how small changes in a molecule can make a big difference. I loved how the class was all about solving problems and seeing how chemistry shows up in real-world problems!
FAVORITE PLACE ON CAMPUS: Discovery Building!
FUN FACT: I hold both EMT and Scuba diving certifications!
CLARISSA KRUEGER
YEAR: Junior
MAJOR(S): Chemistry
HOMETOWN:
FAVORITE CHEMISTRY COURSE: My favorite chemistry class I’ve taken so far would be CHEM 104. It was the first chemistry class I ever took here at Madison, and it just solidified my love of chemistry. I got my final grade in the class and immediately went to declare my major. It felt less like a class, and more like something fun I got to do.
FAVORITE PLACE ON CAMPUS: My favorite place on campus is the Microbial Sciences building. I love going there to study as they have this huge wall of glass that is so nice to look out of while I am studying.
FUN FACT: A fun fact about me is that I am the executive director of a singing group here on campus called Barbershop Club where we sing songs in four part harmony that are in the genre of barbershop.
QIJUN LIN
YEAR: Senior
MAJOR(S): Chemistry and Mathematics
HOMETOWN: Sun Prairie, WI
FAVORITE CHEMISTRY COURSE: I like organic chemistry because the designing of a total synthesis and retrosynthesis of a complicated molecule is fascinating; I also like physical chemistry because physical chemistry has a lot of things to do with physics.
FAVORITE PLACE ON CAMPUS: I like Lake Mendota and the highest floors of the Microbial Sciences Building and Van Vleck Hall.
FUN FACT: I like to imagine and write out dramatic scenes, mostly the tragedies.
SOPHIA MELNYK
YEAR: Senior
MAJOR(S): Chemistry (Honors in the Major), Biochemistry, and Pharmacology & Toxicology
HOMETOWN: New Berlin, WI
FAVORITE CHEMISTRY COURSE: I really enjoyed taking CHEM 329 (Analytical Chemistry). I took this course my freshman year and thought it was a good introduction to learning how to form your own research hypothesis and experiments. This course helped me feel a lot more comfortable in a lab setting, and my previous TA is now my current research mentor.
FAVORITE PLACE ON CAMPUS: Though a bit far from the main campus, I really like visiting the Arboretum. It’s a really beautiful place to run, bike, picnic, and destress.
FUN FACT: I try to spice up my schedule each semester, and so far I’ve taken pilates, ballroom dancing, and two semesters of ballet.
BOYA MO
YEAR: Senior
MAJOR(S): Chemistry and Biochemistry
HOMETOWN: Shanghai, China
FAVORITE CHEMISTRY COURSE: CHEM 343 with Matt Bowman, a pure journey into the exploration of organic chemistry.
FAVORITE PLACE ON CAMPUS: Discovery Building
FUN FACT: I touched a panda! I have 8 ear piercings.
MARIA MULLOY
YEAR: Junior
MAJOR(S): Chemistry
HOMETOWN: Neenah, WI
FAVORITE CHEMISTRY COURSE: CHEM 343 (Organic Chemistry I) was the class that solidified my passion for chemistry! I was apprehensive to take it at first, but ultimately found the content and concepts incredibly fascinating!
FAVORITE PLACE ON CAMPUS: I would have to say the Memorial Union Terrace! I love going to Open Mic Night and Movie Night every week with my friends!
FUN FACT: I’ve seen Coldplay in concert twice!
AMRUTH MURTHY
YEAR: Senior
MAJOR(S): Chemistry
HOMETOWN: Erode, India
FAVORITE CHEMISTRY COURSE: My favorite chemistry course at UW-Madison so far has been CHEM 311 (Inorganic Chemistry). I especially enjoyed this class because of the lab component and the vibrant colors I observed during the experiments. It was not only visually engaging but also helped me develop the important skill of compiling experimental data into professional lab reports. Most importantly, it allowed me to learn several essential laboratory techniques that will be valuable for my future career.
FAVORITE PLACE ON CAMPUS: The Discovery Building.
FUN FACT: I am also a numismatist, and have a collection of rare and old coins.
KOSTA TOURLOUKIS
YEAR: Junior
MAJOR(S): Chemistry
HOMETOWN: Wauwatosa, WI
FAVORITE CHEMISTRY COURSE: CHEM 116 has been my favorite course so far because it introduced me to research early on. I liked going in-depth into a specific research topic and learning about it in detail. I also enjoyed learning about my classmates’ research during their end-of-semester presentations.
FAVORITE PLACE ON CAMPUS: The Lakeshore Path, it’s nice to walk around there when the weather’s nice or look over the lake.
FUN FACT: I have a pet pug named after the pig from Charlotte’s Web.
VALERIE ZUEHLS
YEAR: Senior
MAJOR(S): Chemistry and Spanish
HOMETOWN: Salem, WI
FAVORITE CHEMISTRY COURSE: My favorite chemistry course so far is CHEM 511 – Advanced Inorganic Chemistry. This class explored the basis behind theories and bonding, and touched on computational chemistry a bit. It was exciting to learn more about a whole different type of chemistry that isn’t usually mentioned. I especially enjoyed learning about how metals interact through their molecular orbitals and the vibrant colors they can produce due to bonding.
FAVORITE PLACE ON CAMPUS: My favorite place on campus is Near West Fields. It is right along the Lakeshore path and a perfect place to play soccer.
FUN FACT: I am a fountain of knowledge about Cedar Crest ice cream, having worked at an ice cream parlor for five years.
