Dr. Rebecca Lai is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She received her B.S. degree in Biochemistry from California State University, Los Angeles and Ph.D. degree in Chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin. Her research program addresses both fundamental and applied aspects of biosensor research, with the main focus on the design of folding- and dynamics-based electrochemical biosensors for environmental monitoring and point-of-care diagnostics. Dr. Lai has received various awards and honors, including the NSF Career Award, UNL CAS Distinguished Teaching Award, Dean’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Education, CAS Original Research and Creative Activity Award, and the ACS Partners for Progress and Prosperity Regional Award. She is also the current Nebraska MRSEC Education and Outreach Director and is active in promoting inclusive science education. She has developed a comprehensive portfolio of education and outreach programs, including her signature “Harry Potter x Science” program that focuses on the scientific concepts behind the Harry Potter book series.