Nicola Myers ’26: Exploring the Cutting Edge of Chemistry

Nicola Myers ’26 is a Chemistry major from Boise, Idaho. Since her first year at Whitman College, she has been part of an on-campus research team developing silver nanocrystal materials—working closely with faculty and building a strong foundation in research that she’ll take to the next level as she pursues her doctorate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Nicola’s Whitman Highlights:

• 2025 Goldwater Scholar
• President of the American Chemical Society Whitman Chapter 
• Chemistry Tutor and Lab Teaching Assistant

Through multiple Louis B. Perry Research Awards, Nicola spent three summers working in Associate Professor of Chemistry Mark Hendricks‘ silver nanocrystal lab. She designed and conducted her own experiments, co-authored a publication on her research and presented at national conferences. Whitman’s Chemistry faculty played a major role in her college experience, offering mentorship and support that sparked her passion for chemistry and helped her grow as a scientist.

Nicola’s favorite Whitman memories come from attending Nanocrystals Northwest conferences with her labmates, where she presented her research and connected with scientists from universities and national labs. These experiences helped her grow as a researcher and exposed her to innovative work in the field.

What’s next? Nicola will pursue a doctorate in Chemistry at MIT, continuing her work in materials research.