Aiste Balciunaite, working in the Santore lab, is a double major in Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a minor in Mathematics. Balciunaite showed leadership in her courses, her research labs and on the water as a member of the rowing team. She is the co-author of two papers based on her work with Professor Santore. In 2018, the Athletic department honored her with the Spring Scholar Athlete Award, and she led the rowing team as co-captain. After graduation, she plans to return to her native Lithuania to work at a biotech firm, and later pursue her doctorate in chemical engineering.