Meet The Group
Damien Guironnet
Associate Professor
guironne@illinois.edu
BASF Corporation- Charlotte, NC
Education
Ph.D. in Chemistry, summa cum laude (2005-2009)- Universitat Konstanz, Germany
Research advisor: Prof. Stefan Mecking
MS in Chemical Engineering (2001-2005)- Ecole Nationale Superieure de Chimie de Mulhouse, France
4th 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 with a potential application in nanomedicine. 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.
3rd Year ChBE Graduate Student
dasilva5@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.
3rd 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
I like to read and listen to music.
2nd 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.
2nd 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.
2nd Year Chemistry Graduate Student
alfonsp2@illinois.edu
Education
BS in Chemistry (2019-2021)
University of Rochester- Rocherster, NY
Research
I am investigating Nickel (II) catalysts for the synthesis of non-alternating Polyketones.
Hobbies
I like fishing, literature, and music!
1st 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 studying how to control polymer structure and its effects on material properties such as crystallization. Primarily, I am looking at automating polymer synthesis to better enable structure property relationship discovery.
Hobbies
On the more physically active side, I like to ride my bike and play disc golf when I can. Whenever I am feeling less energetic, I play video games or get stuck customizing Emacs.
2nd Year Undergraduate Student in Chemistry
yfeng53@illinois.edu
Mentor: Keelee McCleary-Petersen
2nd Year Undergraduate Student in ChBE
dache2@illinois.edu
Mentor: Vanessa DaSilva