Two rising researchers in the University of Utah’s Department of Chemistry—Connor Ambrose and Kenny Drbohlav, both students in the Luo Lab at the University of Utah Chemistry—have earned national recognition through the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP), one of the nation’s most competitive and respected awards for early-career scientists. The NSF GRFP supports outstanding graduate students pursuing research-based degrees in STEM fields and is designed to cultivate the next generation of scientific leaders. In the 2026 competition cycle, Connor was selected as a GRFP Fellow, while Kenny earned Honorable Mention, placing him among the top-tier applicants nationwide.
Connor Ambrose: NSF GRFP Fellow Advancing Electroorganic Synthesis
Connor’s selection as a 2026 NSF GRFP Fellow reflects both his scientific promise and the originality of his research. His work focuses on understanding and controlling selectivity in electroorganic synthesis through computational methods—a field that integrates physical organic chemistry, electrochemistry, and data-driven modeling.
Electroorganic synthesis is a rapidly expanding area of green chemistry, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional redox reagents. Connor’s research aims to uncover the mechanistic principles that govern how molecules behave under electrochemical conditions and to design strategies that steer reactions toward desired products with high precision. By integrating computational chemistry with experimental electrochemistry, he is developing frameworks that could ultimately allow chemists to predict and tune selectivity in complex electrochemical transformations.
Reflecting on the fellowship, Connor shared:
“I am incredibly excited to have been named an NSF GRFP recipient. It will enable me to continue pursuing engaging research projects at the University of Utah Chemistry and give me the freedom to explore new directions without worrying about funding. Over the past several months working at Utah, I have been exposed to a broad range of topics and have developed a deeper understanding of both electrochemistry and the research process. I look forward to building on this foundation and continuing to grow as I begin my graduate studies this fall.”
Connor joined the Luo Lab in September 2026 as an undergraduate research assistant and quickly distinguished himself. In less than seven months, he has already contributed to two manuscripts in preparation, demonstrating creativity and productivity unusual for a researcher at his career stage. Connor noted, “Throughout graduate school, I intend to continue developing data-driven frameworks for predicting and optimizing chemical reactions, emphasizing the use of a multi-fidelity scheme to integrate simulated and experimental understanding. Within the decade, I plan to have developed a suite of apps, from model-screening tools like those I created for the CdTe project to mechanism-builder interfaces that let users design reactions and scripts intuitively. Once I’ve graduated, I plan to pursue an academic career focused on training a new cohort and guiding them in their own efforts to integrate statistical techniques into chemical datasets.”
Kenny Drbohlav: Honorable Mention for Pioneering Work in Isotope Labeling
Kenny earned an NSF GRFP Honorable Mention, a recognition awarded to applicants whose research and broader impacts statements demonstrate exceptional potential. His name appears in the 2026 Honorable Mention listing on Research.gov, placing him among the top applicants nationwide.
Kenny shared, “Receiving Honorable Mention for the NSF GRFP fellowship represents a meaningful milestone in my academic journey and serves as an encouraging affirmation of my commitment to scientific research. I am grateful to have received an Honorable Mention among a highly competitive pool of applicants, and I view this distinction as both an honor and a source of motivation. While I was not selected as a fellowship recipient, I deeply appreciate the recognition and the opportunity it provides to strengthen my academic profile. This acknowledgment reinforces my dedication to my current research and encourages me to continue pursuing impactful scientific work.”
Kenny’s research focuses on developing new heterogeneous catalytic approaches for hydrogen isotope labeling of pharmaceuticals, a field with major implications for drug discovery, mechanistic chemistry, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) is a powerful tool for incorporating deuterium or tritium into drug molecules, enabling researchers to track how pharmaceuticals are absorbed, metabolized, and excreted. Kenny’s work aims to overcome longstanding limitations in current HIE methods by integrating heterogeneous photocatalysis, surface-mediated hydrogen atom transfer, and dual C–H activation pathways. His project seeks to tune catalytic surfaces to accelerate HIE kinetics, control the formation and reactivity of Pd nanoparticles to unlock new labeling pathways, and enable multi-site, selective isotope incorporation in structurally complex pharmaceuticals.
This research has the potential to transform how isotopically labeled drugs are synthesized and to provide new mechanistic insights into catalytic HIE processes.
Kenny began working in the Luo Lab the summer before officially joining the graduate program in 2025. His early start helped him build a strong foundation in photocatalysis and heterogeneous catalysis, and he has quickly become a driving force in the lab’s isotope-labeling efforts. Kenny noted, “As I begin my first year as a PhD student at the University of Utah, I am eager to expand my outreach efforts to share the excitement of science and make a lasting difference in others’ lives. I plan to volunteer at Chemistry Night at the Natural History Museum, hosted by the University of Utah Department of Chemistry, to inspire children in science. I also plan to return to my hometown to give back to the community that shaped me. I envision visiting the local middle and high school to show students the possibilities that science offers and how research has transformed my own life. Many mentors have guided and inspired me on my path to becoming a scientist, and I want to be that same source of encouragement for the next generation. Coming from a community where science and education are often overlooked, I feel a deep responsibility to show that this path is not only attainable but deeply rewarding.”
Faculty Perspective: Praise from Professor Long Luo
Professor Long Luo, who mentors both students, offered the following statement celebrating their achievements:
“Connor and Kenny are both bright and hardworking students who I strongly believe deserve NSF GRFP fellowships; nominating them is a clear choice. Connor is working to understand and control selectivity in electroorganic synthesis using computational tools. I first got to know him when he was an undergraduate in my collaborator’s group at the University of Florida. He joined my group in September 2026 as an undergraduate research assistant and has consistently impressed me during our weekly group meetings with his creativity, strong ideas, and productivity. In less than seven months, he already has two manuscripts in preparation. Very impressive!! Kenny is developing new heterogeneous catalytic approaches for hydrogen isotope labeling of pharmaceuticals. He began working in my lab the summer before officially joining our graduate program in 2025. He is highly motivated, intellectually curious, and eager to explore new research ideas. It has been a pleasure working with him over the past six months. Keep up with the great work, Connor and Kenny!”
Two Scientists, One Trajectory of Excellence
Connor and Kenny’s achievements highlight the strength of the University of Utah Department of Chemistry’s research environment and the exceptional talent emerging from the Luo Lab. Their work—spanning electroorganic synthesis, computational chemistry, heterogeneous catalysis, and isotope labeling—represents the cutting edge of modern chemical research.
As they continue their graduate studies, both students are poised to make significant contributions to their fields and to the broader scientific community.
Congratulations, Connor and Kenny!