Mai Doung is a senior undergraduate student in the Chemistry Department at Oregon State University and has been selected a Winter 2012 Chem Major of the Term.  Mai grew up in Portland, OR and graduated from David Douglas High School.  When applying for college, she selected OSU after having been awarded the first Sally Runes-Hicks Scholarship (http://osufoundation.org/campaignupdate/2010/apr/impact.htm).  Her interest in chemistry was sparked by her high school chemistry teacher Renee Gibb.  Since her time at OSU, her favorite chemistry courses have been in the area of organic chemistry because, as Mai is quick to point out, “it made the most sense to me.”    She is currently conducting research in Claudia Maier’s laboratory where she works with mass spectrometry instruments.  For fun, Mai enjoys hiking and hanging out with her friends. She is a chemistry major with an education option and hopes to become a high school chemistry teacher when she graduates.  Students like Mai will help to inspire the next generation to focus on the sciences and we are honored to have her as a Chemistry major in our Department and a student at OSU!