Ashley Pimentel, a fourth-year doctoral student in chemistry at UC Riverside, has been selected to attend the prestigious Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany, where she will join young scientists from around the world in a week of dialogue with Nobel Prize winners.
Pimentel was chosen after a competitive application process that began with a nomination at UCR and was then reviewed by a systemwide selection committee.
Originally from Waterford, Wisconsin, Pimentel earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Wisconsin Lutheran College. At UCR she conducts research in Professor Timothy Su’s lab, exploring the frontier of single-molecule electronics — a field that could shape the next generation of computing technology.
“In the 2000s, we saw electronics like iPods getting smaller and more powerful,” Pimentel explained. “That was possible because transistors, the basic functional units of electronic devices, were made smaller and smaller. But we’re reaching a physical limit. My work looks at using molecule-sized transistors to keep that progress going.”
By studying how individual molecules conduct electricity, Pimentel aims to help develop the foundation for electronics that are not only smaller but also more efficient.
“A lot of my work focuses on investigating what happens to materials at the quantum scale. If we understand the properties of materials at this scale, we can leverage them to our advantage in circuit design,” she said.
While she’s excited about the science, Pimentel is also drawn to the broader purpose of the Nobel meeting in Lindau, Germany. “I want to understand what drives Nobel Laureates after they’ve reached the highest level of recognition. How do they keep going? What do they see as the next challenge?”
She also views the event as a rare opportunity to deepen the sense of global community among scientists. “A lot of times, we’re so focused on our individual research that we forget to connect. But scientific progress depends on strong communities, both locally and internationally,” she said.
Pimentel encourages other students to seek out opportunities that broaden their network, even those that seem intimidating. “I didn’t think I would be accepted. My advisor encouraged me to apply, and I’m so glad I did. If you’re hesitating, just go for it,” she said.
She also hopes her experience can inspire peers to look beyond the typical conference circuit. “It’s great to connect at meetings like ACS, but events like this offer a truly global perspective. The relationships you form now will be the ones you rely on throughout your career.”
This year’s Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, which focuses on chemistry, will host 600 total students from June 29 to July 4.