Kristen Coopie, Brett Allen

WEIRTON - Mr. and Mrs. Richard Coopie of Pittsburgh have announced the engagement of their daughter, Kristen, to Brett Lee Allen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Allen of Weirton.

The bride-to-be, a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in Pittsburgh, graduated summa cum laude from Bethany College with a bachelor of arts degree in political science in 2007 and is a full-time doctoral student in the University of Pittsburgh's political science department with a primary focus in American politics. A May 2011 graduation is anticipated.

Allen, a Weir High School graduate, graduated magna cum laude from Bethany College with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry in 2006. He is a full-time doctoral student in the University of Pittsburgh's chemistry department with a primary focus on nanomaterials synthesis and development. He received a masters in passing degree in 2008 and is expected to finish his dissertational work by December 2010.

An April wedding is planned at Heinz Chapel in Pittsburgh.