Skagit Valley College (SVC) students Owen Reeder and Camden Losey will spend this summer conducting chemistry research through one of the Pacific Northwest’s most respected undergraduate programs—the National Science Foundation-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program at Western Washington University (WWU).
It offers undergraduates the chance to work alongside university faculty and researchers on real-world chemistry projects. Participants also gain valuable experience presenting their work, networking with peers, and exploring future academic and career paths.
This year, the REU program selected 11 undergraduate students to participate which included three from WWU, three from other Washington schools, and five from out of state schools.
For Reeder and Losey, the summer ahead promises hands-on learning, new connections, and a deeper dive into the world of chemistry.
Owen Reeder: Finding a Path in Research
Hailing from Anacortes, Owen Reeder is completing his Associate in Science degree with a focus on chemistry and will transfer to WWU this fall. While he originally considered a career in medicine, SVC’s engaging chemistry courses and supportive instructors opened new possibilities.
“I really enjoy the hands-on nature of research,” Reeder said. “Working in the organic chemistry labs at SVC made me realize how exciting it is to experiment, test ideas, and explore new ways of doing things.”
In the REU program at WWU, Reeder will work with Dr. David Rider, Professor of Materials Chemistry and Engineering and Design, on the synthesis of polymers for fuel cells. He’s especially looking forward to spending a full summer focused on research, and hopes it will help guide his long-term goal of earning a PhD and becoming a research chemist.
He encourages future students to take Chem 295 – a course where he and Losey helped repair an IR spectrometer, an experience that strengthened their research skills and likely boosted their chances to be accepted into the REU program.
Camden Losey: From Fitness to Chemical Engineering
Camden Losey, from Stanwood, is pursuing an Associates in Engineering transfer degree and will head to the University of Washington’s Chemical Engineering program next year. He first became interested in chemistry while taking pre-med coursework, and soon discovered he had a real passion for the subject.
“I think it’s amazing to see reactions happen and understand the science behind them,” he shared. “The more I got into chemistry, the more I wanted to keep going.”
This summer, Losey will assist Dr. Amanda Murphy, WWU professor and director of the Advanced Materials Science and Engineering Center, on a project developing silk polymers for medical applications. He looks forward to continuing his lab work and gaining more experience in research before transferring to UW.
Like Reeder, Losey also recommends Chem 295 to students interested in pursuing research. “It helped give us both a lot of confidence with lab equipment and problem-solving,” he said.
Supporting Student Success
Both students credit Dr. Roxi Hulet, SVC chemistry faculty, for encouraging them to apply for the REU program and supporting their journeys as aspiring scientists.
The REU experience will offer Reeder and Losey not only a chance to contribute to meaningful research, but also time to explore future career options. Their success highlights the strong foundation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education provided at SVC —and the potential for SVC students to thrive in academic and professional research settings.
To learn more about STEM programs at SVC, visit skagit.edu/stem.
Media Contact Info
Marisa Pierce, Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications
360.416.7957
marisa.pierce@skagit.edu