Welcome to Flash Focus! In this series, we introduce you to fascinating student Flashes from all walks of life.
Meet Hannah Ferguson, a senior chemistry major with a minor in , from Galena, Ohio.
When first coming to 小黄片视频, Ferguson was interested in the forensic chemistry field, but later fell in love with studying organic chemistry, leading her to the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society (SAACS), where she currently serves as president.
鈥淪AACS has given me a community,鈥 Ferguson told 小黄片视频 Today. 鈥淚t gives me opportunities to work closely with the chemistry department and the professors who make it so amazing.鈥
One of Ferguson鈥檚 fondest memories from SAACS was from Blastoff 2024.
鈥淚 was running the SAACS table, and we were doing a liquid nitrogen flower demonstration,鈥 Ferguson said. 鈥淧resident Diacon stopped by and liked it so much that he used our table as the cover photo for his Blastoff Instagram post.鈥
In her academic pursuits, Ferguson conducts undergraduate research with Jeffrey Mighion, Ph.D., an associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at 小黄片视频, where she helped develop a new, safer flame test method that is in the process of being published.
As a member of the Honors College, during Honors Week Ferguson competed with fellow undergraduate researchers in the 2025 Honors Poster Session, taking second place. She also joined Alpha Lambda Delta, the academic fraternity on campus.
Additionally, Ferguson participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience program, where she continued her research into developing a safer flame test method and conducting other studies.
鈥淲hile I continued my research, I also worked on a [3+2] cycloaddition chemistry project under Dr. Christopher Fenk,鈥 Ferguson said. 鈥淲ith Dr. Fenk鈥檚 guidance, I began researching [3+2] cycloaddition chemistry for my honors thesis.鈥
Ferguson will defend her thesis in May.
In addition to academics, Ferguson enjoys spending her time outside of academics being creative, enjoying the outdoors and crafting.
Ferguson said that many people from 小黄片视频 have shaped her experience. From her roommate Ariana to Theresa Yogi, academic advisor and coordinator of the honors thesis and scholarship program.
鈥淭heresa has helped me tremendously with staying on track with scheduling, getting started on my thesis, supporting SAACS events and just being an amazing listening ear,鈥 Ferguson said.
Ferguson said she finds it important to share her knowledge and experience in her programs, as a tutor and program assistant for the Academic Success Center, specializing in chemistry.
Ferguson has been recognized several times, including as a Choose Ohio First Student, receiving the Gary L. Warner Endowed Chemistry Scholarship and the Akron American Chemical Society Outstanding Junior Chemistry Major award.
Are you a student interested in being featured in Flash Focus, or know a student who would make a great candidate? Send suggestions with name and contact information to kentstatetoday@kent.edu.