Two doctoral students in chemistry at UC Riverside, Ashley Pimentel and Ting Zhao, have been selected to attend the prestigious Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany, where they will join young scientists from around the world in a week of dialogue with Nobel Prize winners.

Both Pimentel and Zhao are fourth-year students chosen for the Lindau meeting after a competitive application process that began with nominations at UCR that were 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.

Zhao came to UCR after receiving her bachelor's degree from Jinan University in Guangzhou, China. Under the guidance of Distinguished Chemistry Professor Yinsheng Wang, she is focused on understanding how human cells respond to DNA and RNA damage caused by environmental stressors. 

"There are many ways that cells have to perceive damage done to the DNA they contain, and to repair that damage," Wang said. "She is trying to identify which proteins are able to sense the damage, and enable repair to begin."

In her own words, "Using mass spectrometry-based proteomics and molecular biology approaches, I study the molecular mechanisms behind damage recognition and repair pathways -- particularly how specific proteins detect and respond to lesions on nucleic acids."

The research could potentially lead to new therapies, either to prevent DNA damage in the first place, to enhance the body's own ability to repair DNA, or to minimize the toxicity of external stressors.

Zhao says she is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Lindau meeting.

"It’s exciting to join such a unique gathering of young scientists and Nobel Laureates," Zhao said. "I’m looking forward to meeting peers from around the world, hearing their stories, and learning from researchers who’ve made such a big impact. It’s a rare chance to connect with the global scientific community and gain new perspectives."

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?”

Pimentel 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.

Both Zhao and Pimentel encourage other students to seek out opportunities that broaden their network, even those that seem intimidating. Both were initially encouraged to apply for this opportunity by their graduate advisors.

“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,” Pimentel said.

This year’s Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, which focuses on chemistry, will host 600 total students from June 29 to July 4.

Note: This story initially focused on Pimentel. It has been updated to reflect the participation of both Pimentel and Zhao.