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Students collaborating on a research-driven community initiative

Research Publications & Impact

Research Publications & Outputs

Verified Published Research

These research articles have been published on external journal platforms. Journal and DOI links are provided where available for independent verification.

- 2026 -

1

Using Water as a Solvent to Extract Betalains From Beet

Author(s): Timothy Park, Junehuk Lee, Irene Kim, Peter Seok, Ryan Kim, Jennifer Na, Trevor Kim, and Ezra Kim

PublishedJournal: Curieux ReviewYear: 2026

Published in Curieux Review, 2026

Read the Published Paper →

Description: A student research team investigated how solvent polarity affects the extraction of betalain pigments from beet. By comparing heptane, isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, and water, the study found that highly polar water produced the strongest betalain extraction, supporting the relationship between molecular polarity and extraction efficiency.

ConnectSTEM Student Mentor: Timothy Park

3

An In-Vitro Disk Diffusion Comparison Study of Chlorhexidine Gluconate and Salt: Application of Salt in Oral Treatments

Author(s): Jane Hong, Francis Hong, Jaehee Kim, Michelle Tan, Brooke Yu, Rebecca Tang

PublishedJournal: American Journal of Student ResearchYear: 2026

DOI: 10.70251/HYJR2348.42406412

View Published Article
4

Solubilization of Benzyl Acetate by Polysorbate 80: A Thin Layer Chromatography Study

Author(s): Kacey Song, Hyoju Kim, Audrey Lee

PublishedJournal: American Journal of Student ResearchYear: 2026

DOI: 10.70251/HYJR2348.42110114

View Published Article
5

Evaporation-Driven Electricity Generation Using Nanocarbon-Coated Fabrics

Author(s): Andrew Han, Eileen Pak, Kihyun Lee

PublishedJournal: American Journal of Student ResearchYear: 2026

DOI: 10.70251/HYJR2348.43186190

View Published Article

CONFERENCE PRESENTATION

From Publication to Scientific Presentation

This research project was also presented by Andrew Han as a scientific poster at the 30th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference.

Conference poster:
“Electricity Generation from Water Evaporation Using Carbon-Coated Fabric”
Event:
30th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference
Presenter:
Andrew Han
Format:
Conference poster presentation
Andrew Han presenting a scientific poster titled "Electricity Generation from Water Evaporation Using Carbon-Coated Fabric" at the 30th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference.
Andrew Han presenting a scientific poster at the 30th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference.

RESEARCH → PUBLICATION → CONFERENCE PRESENTATION → SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION

6

Using Acid/Base with AHAPTMOS to Control the Hydrophilic/Hydrophobic Character of Silicon Wafers

Author(s): Taehong Kim, Jiaen Wang, Jose Jimenez, Judy Song, Yechan Park

PublishedJournal: American Journal of Student ResearchYear: 2026

DOI: 10.70251/HYJR2348.42504510

View Published Article
7

Degradation of bifenthrin insecticide by controlling pH and temperature

Author(s): Audrey Lee, Lia Choi, Eileen Pak, Christopher Fang, Bonmin Gu, Ryan Lee, Rebecca Tang

PublishedJournal: New Frontiers in Biology, Medicine, and Chemistry (Press Journals)Year: 2026

DOI: 10.63129/SNVJ8907

View Published Article
Research Journey

This publication led to a broader research trajectory and external collaboration.

See the KOAT Collaboration
8

Assessment of Commercial Camellia Seed Extract for Reducing Visible Benzyl Acetate Separation in Water

Author(s): Gurnho Park, David Lee, Daniel Suh, Francis Hong, Olivia Suh, Jane Hong

PublishedJournal: American Journal of Student ResearchYear: 2026

DOI: 10.70251/HYJR2348.44630635

View Published Article

- 2025 -

1

Changing the surface properties of the backside of a silicon wafer to repel oil and prevent particle binding

Author(s): Choi, Grace et al.

PublishedJournal: Journal of Emerging InvestigatorsYear: 2025

DOI: 10.59720/24-093

View Published Article
2

Coating drierite with methylene blue for oxygen indication

Author(s): Gina Kim et al.

PublishedJournal: NHSJS ReportsYear: 2025

DOI not listed on the published article page.

View Published Article
Research Journey
RESEARCH → IMPACT → LEADERSHIP

This research helped inspire the creation of STEAM Labs International. The project demonstrated how scientific concepts such as material response and visible color change could be translated into engaging, hands-on STEM learning experiences. That idea expanded beyond the original research project into a broader educational organization where students could develop and deliver hands-on science and engineering activities.

From Research to Organization

STEAM Labs International grew into a student-led STEM education organization, creating opportunities for experienced ConnectSTEM students and alumni to apply their research experience through educational programs, team leadership, and community outreach.

Leadership Continuation

Five ConnectSTEM alumni now serve as Directors at STEAM Labs International, helping lead programs, teams, and the organization’s continued development.

Mentorship in Action

Hailey Gu, a ConnectSTEM alumna and current STEAM Labs International Director, now mentors younger student researchers as they develop new scientific projects and manuscripts.

Explore STEAM Labs International

- 2024 -

1

Converting SiO2 wafers to hydrophobic using chlorotrimethylsilane

Author(s): Sophia Lee et al.

PublishedJournal: Journal of Emerging InvestigatorsYear: 2024

DOI: 10.59720/23-100

View Published Article

Scientific Communication

Research Shared Beyond the Journal

ConnectSTEM encourages students to communicate their research beyond manuscript publication when appropriate. Scientific presentations allow young researchers to explain their methods, findings, limitations, and ideas to broader scientific audiences.

Andrew Han presenting a scientific poster titled "Electricity Generation from Water Evaporation Using Carbon-Coated Fabric" at the 30th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference.
Andrew Han presenting a scientific poster at the 30th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference.

Featured Conference Presentation

Andrew Han

Scientific Poster Presentation

Research project:
Evaporation-Driven Electricity Generation Using Nanocarbon-Coated Fabrics
Conference poster:
“Electricity Generation from Water Evaporation Using Carbon-Coated Fabric”
Event:
30th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference
Presenter:
Andrew Han
Year:
2026

The conference poster represents a related scientific communication output from the same underlying research project that resulted in the published journal article.

RESEARCH → PUBLICATION → CONFERENCE PRESENTATION → SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION

The poster title and journal article title are distinct outputs from the same research project, preserved here as separate records of the research progression.

External Engagement & Recognition

Research Shared, Tested, and Recognized Beyond ConnectSTEM

Student development at ConnectSTEM can extend beyond manuscript publication into scientific communication, university outreach, external competitions, community initiatives, and independent recognition. These examples document selected outcomes beyond ConnectSTEM’s own internal programs. They do not imply that every student receives external recognition.

University Outreach

STEAMM Into 2026 Conference — UCLA

ConnectSTEM participated as a confirmed Resource Fair organization at the STEAMM Into 2026 Conference hosted by UCLA EAOP and UCLA MEDPEP. ConnectSTEM students shared research and educational opportunities with students and families attending the event.

Event:
STEAMM Into 2026 Conference
Hosts:
UCLA EAOP and UCLA MEDPEP
Participation:
Resource Fair Participant
Date:
January 31, 2026
Location:
Geffen Hall, UCLA

STUDENT RESEARCH → PUBLIC COMMUNICATION → UNIVERSITY OUTREACH

ConnectSTEM students at the STEAMM Into 2026 Conference Resource Fair at UCLA in 2026.
ConnectSTEM students participating in the STEAMM Into 2026 Conference Resource Fair hosted by UCLA EAOP and UCLA MEDPEP.

ConnectSTEM participated as a Resource Fair participant. This is not a university partnership, a UCLA research collaboration, or an endorsement of ConnectSTEM by UCLA.

Organizational Recognition

Gold Impact Award — 2026 USA Youth Leadership Summit

STEAM Labs International received the Gold Impact Award at the 2026 USA Youth Leadership Summit, providing external recognition of the organization’s youth-led STEM education and community-impact work.

RESEARCH → ORGANIZATION → COMMUNITY IMPACT → EXTERNAL RECOGNITION → ALUMNI LEADERSHIP

For ConnectSTEM, this recognition represents a later stage in a research-to-impact pathway: student research that helped inspire an educational organization, community programs developed around that work, and students who continued as alumni leaders.

STEAM Labs International participants with the Gold Impact Award at the 2026 USA Youth Leadership Summit.
STEAM Labs International with the Gold Impact Award at the 2026 USA Youth Leadership Summit.

The Gold Impact Award belongs to STEAM Labs International, not directly to ConnectSTEM. The summit and its organizers do not endorse ConnectSTEM through this award.

Student External STEM Recognition

Research and Scientific Curiosity Recognized Beyond the Program

ConnectSTEM students also pursue science fairs, scientific competitions, and independent STEM opportunities outside ConnectSTEM. The examples below represent selected external recognition documented through award materials.

These competitions are external student achievements, not awards issued by ConnectSTEM.

Taehoon Noh

2nd Place — Senior Division Chemistry

Event:
68th Annual Region II Science and Engineering Fair
Recognizing institution:
University of South Carolina Center for Science Education
Date:
March 8, 2024

Taehoon Noh received Second Place in the Senior Division Chemistry category at the 68th Annual Region II Science and Engineering Fair.

Certificate awarding Taehoon Noh Second Place in Senior Division Chemistry at the 68th Annual Region II Science and Engineering Fair, University of South Carolina Center for Science Education, March 8, 2024.
Second Place — Senior Division Chemistry, 68th Annual Region II Science and Engineering Fair, 2024.

Junehyuk Lee

East Alabama and West Georgia ACS Award

Event:
2025 Alabama Science and Engineering Fair
Recognizing organization:
East Alabama and West Georgia local section of the American Chemical Society

Junehyuk Lee received the East Alabama and West Georgia ACS Award at the 2025 Alabama Science and Engineering Fair.

Certificate for the East Alabama and West Georgia ACS Award presented to Junehyuk Lee at the 2025 Alabama Science and Engineering Fair.
East Alabama and West Georgia ACS Award — 2025 Alabama Science and Engineering Fair.

RESEARCH → EXTERNAL EXPERIENCE → CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT

Research develops in different directions. Some projects lead to publication. Some lead to scientific presentation. Some receive external recognition. Some develop into collaborations, education, or community organizations.