Chemistry – Outstanding Senior 2022

Honor graduation status

• Magna cum laude

Clubs, Organizations, Leadership, Service

• Volunteer, Gritman Medical Center, Pediatric Speech & Hearing Clinic
• Peer Health Educator
• Violence Prevention Group

Internships and Employment

• WSU Research Assistant, Moreau Lab Group

Undergraduate Research

• “Exploring the Surface Chemistry of Ultra-Small Nanoparticles”

Award & Recognition

• Boeing Scholar
• Ron Casebier Scholarship in Chemistry
• Hurliman Scholar

Honored Faculty and Mentors

• Dr. Liane Moreau, Chemistry
• Dr. Jeremy Lessmann, Chemistry
• Dr. Lori Eiland, HPSC

Faculty Comments

“Acacia Dasher began working in my research group in the fall of 2020. She quickly became the group ‘expert’ in the synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles, which are important for their application in medicine. Since then, she has assisted in other synthetically driven projects and is second author on a manuscript published in the journal Nanoscale, the first to come out of my group.” –Dr. Liane Moreau

“Acacia Dasher is a truly outstanding scholar and leader. As a member of Boeing Scholars, Acacia is leading an interdisciplinary team in the development of a universal test fixture to support tensile testing of aircraft components. Acacia is the driving force behind the project. She has already personally identified a creative solution for Boeing that their engineers had not thought of and is developing a potentially patentable test fixture design. She is leading the effort to design the prototype and has been instrumental in conducting laboratory testing.”  –Dr. Lynn Cooper

Personal Statement

“I would like to think that my success is not my own but, rather, a culmination of wisdom, guidance, and support from the people around me. I would first like to thank my wonderful family, especially my parents, Jeremy and Melissa, and my fiancé, Torin, for always being a beacon of support and love. Without the guidance of my professors and advisors, I would not have been able to take hold of the copious amounts of opportunities offered at Washington State University. Dr. Jeremy Lessmann introduced me to research and pushed me to join the Boeing Scholars Program, which aided by Dr. Lynne Cooper, allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. Dr. Liane Moreau, is not only a fantastic mentor but a powerful woman in STEM with knowledge that she graciously shared with me. Dr. Lessmann and Dr. Lori Eiland, my pre-med advisor, helped me achieve my dream of attending medical school. Dr. Eiland supported me and reassured me of my abilities as a student and hopeful future physician. I have loved every second of my time at Washington State University and found a home in the Chemistry department. Go Cougs!”

Future Plans

Acacia attend Pacific Northwest University in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program. Her long-term goal is to provide quality healthcare to underserved communities like the one she grew up in.