Associate Professor
guironne@illinois.edu
5th Year ChBE Graduate Student
ykamble2@illinois.edu
Education
BS in Chemical Engineering (2015-2019)
Institute of Chemical Technology - Mumbai, India
Research
My project focuses on the synthesis of shaped and water-soluble bottlebrush polymers. Simultaneously, I work on developing photonic materials with the synthesized bottlebrush polymers.
Hobbies
When the research and science get the better of me, I resort to arts and crafts, spending time with friends, binging shows and movies, and losing myself in the words of a good book.
4th Year ChBE Graduate Student
ydasilva5@illinois.edu
Education
BS in Chemistry (2016-2020)
Minor in Mathematical and Statistical Modeling (2016-2020)
Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) - Chicago, IL
Research
My research focuses on developing a process to catalytically depolymerize polyolefins.
Hobbies
I enjoy outdoor adventures, traveling, and dancing.
4th Year Chemistry Graduate Student
keeleem2@illinois.edu
Education
BS in Chemistry (2016-2020)
The University of Arizona - Tuscon, AZ
Research
My research focuses on developing a chemically diverse and tunable polymer system to make shape-controlled bottlebrush polymers.
Hobbies
3rd Year ChBE Graduate Student
yrong6@illinois.edu
Education
BS in Chemical Engineering (2017-2021)
University of Colorado - Boulder, CO
Research
My research is to incorporate bottlebrush polymer channels in membranes.
Hobbies
I love playing the piano and bartending.
3rd Year Chemistry Graduate Student
kwiegand@illinois.edu
Education
BS in Chemistry (2019-2021)
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, IL
Research
My research is focused towards making shaped bottlebrush polymers dispersed in water for potential nanomedicine applications.
Hobbies
I enjoy baking, arts and crafts, and music. I especially enjoy learning new skills in all these areas, like learning how to bake new pastries or playing new songs on the piano.
3rd Year Chemistry Graduate Student
alfonsp2@illinois.edu
Education
BS in Chemistry (2019-2021)
University of Rochester - Rochester, NY
Research
I am investigating Nickel (II) catalysts for the synthesis of non-alternating polyketones.
Hobbies
I like fishing, literature, and music!
2nd Year ChBE Graduate Student
mtaleff2@illinois.edu
Education
BS in Chemical Engineering (2018-2022)
BS in Chemistry (2018-2022)
University of Texas - Austin, TX
Research
I am investigating the control of polymer structure and its effects on material properties such as crystallization.
Hobbies
I like to ride my bike and play disc golf. Whenever I am feeling less energetic, I play video games or get stuck customizing Emacs.
1st Year Chemistry Graduate Student
jnvo2@illinois.edu
Education
BS in Chemistry (2019-2023)
University of Texas at Dallas - Dallas, TX
Research
My research focuses on the synthesis of bottlebrush polymers with an emphasis on photonics.
Hobbies
I enjoy playing flag football, attempting to ice skate, crocheting, exploring new places, and spending time with friends and family.
1st Year ChBE Graduate Student
NSF-GRFP Fellow
jaredjr2@illinois.edu
Education
BS in Chemistry (2018-2023)
University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras - San Juan, Puerto Rico
Research
Jared J. Rivera-Otero (JJ) is aspiring to become synthetic chemical engineer. He is focusing on synthetic design of monomeric structures for the development of novel polymer structures for sustainable applications. Also, he is working to understand the relationship between polymer functionality and molecular design.
Hobbies
In his free time, JJ likes to do outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. Also, he likes to play basketball, biking, and swimming. You will see him with a different pair of shoes everyday due to his obsession with sneakers and fashion.
1st Year ChBE Graduate Student
cjs17@illinois.edu
Education
BS in Chemical Engineering (2019-2023)
University at Buffalo - Buffalo, NY
Research
My project focuses on investigating the reaction kinetics for catalytically depolymerizing polyolefins using reactor design and engineering tools, with potential applications to chemical recycling and upcycling technologies.
Hobbies
During my free time, I love to drown myself in the realm of reading books, listening to music, and traveling to other places.
3rd Year Undergraduate Student in Chemistry
yfeng53@illinois.edu
Mentor: Keelee McCleary-Petersen
2nd Year Undergraduate Student in ChBE
dache2@illinois.edu
Mentor: Vanessa DaSilva
2nd Year Undergraduate Student in Chemistry
jl230@illinois.edu
Mentor: Kaitlyn Wiegand
1st Year Undergraduate Student in ChBE
edobra2@illinois.edu
Mentor: Yash Laxman Kamble
1st Year Undergraduate Student
yunjiec2@illinois.edu
Mentor: Alfons Pineda-Knauseder