Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Jilawan Francis is a UNT chemistry major currently conducting research in Dr. William Acree’s lab, working on chemical analysis using spectrophotometric methods.
Jilawan Francis is a UNT chemistry major currently conducting research in Dr. William Acree’s lab, working on chemical analysis using spectrophotometric methods. Currently in her fourth year of undergrad, Jilawan remembers being encouraged by her professors as a freshman to join a research group early to start getting hands-on experience in the lab. 
 
Jilawan Francis“I am responsible for measuring solubilities and determining the solute descriptors,” said Jilawan, who has already published three papers and presented her research at UNT Scholars Day. “Dr. Acree has inspired me in a lot of areas and has influenced my passion for chemistry. I considered pursuing higher education in chemistry because of him.” 
 
As a senior at Chisholm Trail High School in Fort Worth, Jilawan received the UNT Excellence Scholarship, which renews every year the recipient demonstrates outstanding academics. 
 
“UNT was already my first choice, and when I heard that I got the UNT Excellence Scholarship, I felt so seen and supported,” said Jilawan, who spent most of her childhood growing up in Thailand. “I appreciate UNT's many resources and opportunities for students to get connected. I am proud to say I have met many amazing faculty members and fellow students at UNT.” 
 
Among the supportive faculty at UNT are Jilawan’s mentors Dr. Rong Zhang, who advises and encourages her post-graduation plans, and Dr. Amy Petros, who helps connect her with valuable resources and opportunities. “Dr. Petros provides me with amazing learning advice and inspires me to be a better student,” she said. 
 
Jilawan, who is also minoring in Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Management, is part of the chemistry department’s Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) Initiative, serving as a PLTL leader for six semesters and counting. Students participating in the program are given opportunities to strengthen their foundational chemistry knowledge and their ability to interact with others and facilitate group discussions. 
 
“Being a PLTL leader has been such a valuable experience,” said Jilawan. “I love volunteering at different departments across campus too; my favorite is volunteering at the UNT Diamond Eagle Student Resource Center, where I have more than one hundred volunteer hours!” 
 
Jilawan said it was always her dream to be a chemist. “I wish to discover things that would help people, things that would change the world somehow,” she said. “I am still deciding what I’m going to do next, but even if I could go back in time, I would still choose STEM.”