KENNESAW, Ga. | Feb 20, 2025

Mason Hipp isn’t content to go through the motions during his college years.

The sophomore chemistry major chose Kennesaw State University for its early research opportunities and brought with him a love of all things science and mathematics. Today, he has flourished in one laboratory and is learning how to conduct a different type of chemistry in a new laboratory, presenting his findings at regional conferences, and serving as an active member of the Undergraduate Research Club (URC).

“At other colleges, the research you conduct as an undergraduate is mostly supporting work for graduate students and the postdoctoral researchers,” he said. “At Kennesaw State, you can make significant contributions to the scientific community. You may be helping a professor advance their work, but you are also making an immediate impact.”

Hipp arrived at Kennesaw State with a deep interest in space and some experience with bioengineering, thanks to a couple of enrichment projects in high school. Through the First-Year Scholars Program, he landed in the laboratory of associate professor of chemistry Heather Abbott-Lyon. She appreciated Hipp’s initiative in applying to her lab.

“Mason's application stood out because he clearly had taken time to look at my research group’s website and read through some of our lab’s publications,” said Abbott-Lyon, who also serves as the interim director of research development and strategic initiatives in the Office of Research. “He had experience that suggested he would be comfortable working with tools and doing computer-aided design. These are tasks that some students are intimidated by, so I was specifically seeking undergrads who seemed up for those challenges.”

In Abbott-Lyon’s lab, Hipp took on a project pertaining to the phosphorus in comets serving as a biomarker for life-sustaining environments beyond Earth. He worked on the project for two years, winning first prize in the chemistry division of the poster presentations at the Georgia Academy of Science’s annual meeting in March 2024.

This year, Hipp has moved on to a project in the laboratory of associate professor of inorganic chemistry Michael Stollenz, which he presented with co-researchers at the recent Southeastern Undergraduate Research Conference hosted by KSU. His new project, with support of postdoctoral researchers Sanjay Dutta and Tomasz Kruczynski, pertains to multi-atom metal complexes that serve as novel photoluminescent materials for energy-saving light sources, such as used in computer and smartphone flatscreens, something he will pursue for another two years.

Along with the chemistry major, Hipp has earned a lab safety technician microcredential, serves as the vice-president of the URC, and is applying for summer research opportunities. His future involves chemistry and space and may take a little more time, but Hipp is happy to enjoy additional academic pursuits.

“It's tempting to fall into a rushed mindset when you're going through college,” he said. “I have taken an alternate path that will take more time, but I feel that I've compensated for that by having a more enriching experience at Kennesaw State.”

– Story by Dave Shelles

Photos provided

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.