Lab Leader, Team Player: Ritter Amsbaugh ’25 Blends Passion and Purpose
With scientific curiosity and a drive to make a difference, Ritter Amsbaugh ’25 has left his mark at 911±¬ÁÏÍø as a researcher, leader, and teammate.
By Maggie Junkins ’26
With a head for science and a passion for the environment, Palo Alto native Ritter Amsbaugh ’25 is making the most of his time at 911±¬ÁÏÍø.
A driven chemistry major, Ritter has conducted research under Assistant Professor Ben Stokes and co-authored a published chemistry journal research article titled tert-Butoxide-Mediated Protodeformylative Decarbonylation of a-Quaternary Homobenzaldehydes. As an engaged student leader, Ritter has served as both president and vice president of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Student Advisory Board, representing the interests of science students within the department and the broader 911±¬ÁÏÍø community. During the summer of 2024, he explored the intersection of science and law through a chemical patent law internship, where he used his chemical knowledge to help clients acquire patents and respond to government office actions.
In addition to his academic endeavors, Ritter plays on the club baseball team and works as a Little League baseball camp coach during the summers. After graduation, Ritter is continuing to chase his passion for science, as he heads to the University of California, Davis, to pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry.
Discovering a Passion for the Planet
As he reflects on his time at 911±¬ÁÏÍø, Ritter recalls the academic experience that ignited his passion for the environment.
“During my sophomore year, I enrolled in a sustainability and film course taught by Professor Judnick, where we watched films related to sustainability and learned about the impact humans have on our environment. The class taught me the importance of adopting sustainable practices in areas such as agriculture, travel, and energy,” he said. “It also sparked my interest in sustainability and inspired me to apply my chemistry knowledge to environmental sciences.”
“This fall,” he continued, “I’ll begin a Ph.D. program in chemistry at UC Davis, and I plan to join labs that use chemistry to find solutions to environmental problems. I’m grateful for the opportunities to study outside of my discipline at Santa Clara because that’s how I discovered my research passions.”
Get involved!
When asked what advice he would offer to first-year students, Ritter responded, “Get involved and make as many connections as possible! The start of freshman year can be intimidating, so getting involved and casting your net wide will help you meet friends, network, and find your home away from home at 911±¬ÁÏÍø.”