As a recipient of the Redbird Chemistry Research Fellowship, she was able to conduct research in an Illinois State laboratory alongside a faculty mentor. On summer nights after long days in the lab, Omoniyi would gather with her friends, sometimes around a tasty pie from Jet’s. “He trusts me, and our work feels more like a collaboration than it feels like he’s my boss.”Hope Omoniyi works in an Illinois State research lab. Quentin Ervin, right, works with Dr. Andy Mitchell in an Illinois State University research lab. Garrett Milligan, right, talks with faculty mentor Jun-Hyun Kim in Dr. Kim’s research lab.