outreach/

Teaching and outreach

austin ~/austin-ellis $ cat outreach/README

Outside my own research

I help other students get into science. That means helping run a journal club, talking with undergrads about how to join a lab, and showing visiting high school and middle school students what research looks like.

Austin and fellow students hosting a hands-on chemistry outreach table — A chemistry outreach table with other CSUN students.

clubs/

Journal Club and Chemistry Club

Chemistry and Biochemistry Journal Club members gathered after a materials chemistry discussion

journal-club after a materials chemistry discussion

I co-founded CSUN’s first Chemistry & Biochemistry Journal Club and am its vice president. I help pick the papers, find speakers, and sort out logistics. At meetings we go through a paper’s figures together, and students take turns presenting.

Austin presenting a Chemistry Club talk about the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics

chemistry-club “Breaking Science” talk

I also help with Chemistry Club events. For one of their “Breaking Science” sessions, I gave a talk on the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics.

events/

Campus events

Austin staffing an Office of Undergraduate Research information table on campus

undergrad-research Office of Undergraduate Research

Getting into research

At Office of Undergraduate Research events, including CSUN’s yearly Getting Into Research day, I talk with students about how to join a lab, find a mentor, and apply to research programs.

CSUN Chemistry Club members hosting a colorful hands-on activity table

demos Chemistry Club and ACS

Chemistry demos

I help run hands-on demo tables at Chemistry Club and ACS events. It’s a relaxed way for students to see some chemistry up close and talk with other students about it.

CSUNposium recap showing local high school students touring campus and research spaces

campus-visits CSUNposium · CSUN Science Day

Campus visits

When high school students came for CSUNposium, I welcomed them as they toured the research posters, labs, and campus. At CSUN Science Day, I introduced local middle schoolers to high-pressure chemistry.

talks.log on campus

Talks and panels

Matador Days · 2024–2025: Presented my work on hydrogen metallization and 2D electrides.
CHEM 470: Led a class session, “Scientific Conferences: What to Expect,” about going to your first conference.
Grad school panels: Talked about grad school and other next steps on Chemistry Club panels and at Office of Undergraduate Research programs.