Meet the Team

Current Research:

Tom is working on redox-matched flow batteries wherein charge is stored in insoluble polymer beads.

Education:

B.S. in Chemistry, 2021
Central Michigan University
Advisor: Dillip K. Mohanty

Current Research:

Maddie joined the lab in Sept 2021 and is working on our microplastics clean-up efforts.

Education:

MS in Chemistry, 2019
IISER Bhopal, India
Advisor: Prof. Jeyaraman Sankar

BS in Chemistry, 2016
Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, India
Advisor: Prof. Ashoke Sharon

Current Research:

Rahul joined the lab in Jan 2022 as a rotation student and is working on approaches for upcycling PE.

Education:

BS in Chemistry
University of Florida
Advisor: Lisa McElwee-White

Current Research:

Jessica joined the lab in May 2019 and is working on designing new methods for polymer degradation.

Education:

University of Michigan
Major: Chemical Engineering
Concentration: Environmental Engineering

Current Research:

Sarena joined the lab in Jan 2022 as an undergraduate student and is working with Woojung on capturing microplastics.

Education:

BS in Chemistry
Villanova University
Advisor: Prof. Deanna Zubris

Current Research:

Vai is developing new, cyclic poly(phthalaldehydes), hopefully with glass transition temperatures below their thermal degradation temperatures.

Education:

BS in Chemistry
University of Michigan
Research Advisor: Bart Bartlett

Current Research:

Izzy is developing synthetic methods for regioselective cPPA polymerizations.

Education:

Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering, 2020
Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)
Advisor: Heechul Choi

M.S. in Environmental Science and Engineering, 2014
Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)
Advisor: Heechul Choi

B.S. in Applied Chemistry, 2013
Hanyang University

Current Research:

Stay tuned!

Education:

Ph.D. in Chemistry, 2021
Northwestern University
Advisor: William R. Dichtel

B.S. in Chemistry, 2015
Trinity College
Advisor: Timothy P. Curran

Current Research:

Woojung joined the lab in April 2021. She will be working on upcycling plastic waste to generate new materials for microplastics removal from water!

Education:

University of Michigan
Major: Chemistry
Minor: Gender, Race, and Nation

Current Research:

Natalie is working with Tan Nguyen on polymerizing glutaraldehyde derivatives.

Education:

BS in Chemistry
Valdosta State University
Advisor: Jenny Baxter Vu

Current Research:

Gloria joined the lab in May 2019 and is studying materials for redox flow batteries.

Education:

Education: Stanford University
Major: Chemistry, Music Composition

Current Research:

Lydia is currently working with graduate student Madeline Clough on life cycle assessments surrounding microplastics

Education:

University of Michigan
Major: Environment and/or Chemistry

Current Research:

Grace joined the lab in August 2022 and is currently working with graduate student Jessica Tami on mitigating crossover in non-aqueous redox flow batteries.

Education:

BS in Chemistry
Calvin University
Undergrad Advisor: Mark Muyskens

Current Research:

Liz is working with Vai on developing novel poly(phthalaldehydes).

Education:

B.S. in Chemistry, 2022
Shiv Nadar University, India
Undergraduate thesis at Case Western Reserve University
Advisor: Dr. Hatsuo Ishida

Current Research:

Malavika is developing new adhesives for microplastics capture from water.

Education:

BS in Chemistry
Loyola University Chicago, 2022
Advisor: Dr. Joerg Zimmerman

Current Research:

Lucas has joined the polymer upcycling team and is focused on polyethylene and related polymers.

Education:

BS in Materials Engineering
Iowa State University
Research Advisor: Greg Curtzwiler

Current Research:

Henry is a PhD student from Macromolecular Science & Engineering. He joined the lab in Fall 2022, and will be working on microplastics capture using adhesives.

Education:

University of Michigan
Major: Chemistry

Current Research:

Emma is currently working with graduate student Gloria de la Garza on identifying promising anolytes and catholytes for non-aqueous redox flow batteries.