Group Members

Principal investigator

Shiyu Zhang

Postdoc 2015-2017: MIT (Christopher C. Cummins)
Ph.D. 2015:  Georgetown University  (Timothy H. Warren)
B.S. 2010: Jilin University

Shiyu was born and raised in Jilin, a small town in Northeast China. After graduating from Jilin University with a double major in Chemistry (B.S.) and Biology (B.S.), Shiyu traveled west to attend Georgetown University, where he worked in the group of Prof. Timothy Warren. From 2015 to 2017, Shiyu conducted postdoctoral research under the joint supervision of Prof. Christopher Cummins at MIT and Prof. Daniel Nocera at Harvard. When not working in the lab, Shiyu enjoys playing video games, tennis, pickleball, and hanging out with his wife Grace and their dogs, Pancake and Professor.

Members

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Jaehyun was born in Ulsan, Republic of Korea. He received his BS and PhD in the Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) in 2016 and 2022, respectively. Jaehyun has focused on developing organic electroactive materials for energy-harnessing system applications. In his free time, Jaehyun enjoys spending time with his friends and family. 

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Oaikhena was born in Ihievbe, Nigeria. In 2012, he obtained a BSc in Industrial Chemistry from the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria. He then proceeded to the University of Agriculture, Makurdi Nigeria in 2015 for his first MSc Degree in Chemistry, where he worked with Prof. John O. Igoli on the extraction and derivatization of anthocyanins from Delonix regia flower. In 2017, he moved to the University of Regensburg, Germany, for his second MSc in Synthesis and Catalysis where he joined the group of Prof. Burkhard König working on dual copper and photoredox catalyzed cross coupling reactions. He then moved to the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany, for his PhD in the group of Corinna Hess. During his time there, he developed photoinduced reactions with Co-, Ni-, and Zn- complexes based on the redox active macrocyclic biquinazoline ligand. Besides chemistry, Oaikhena enjoys playing FIFA, table tennis, soccer (football), and following soccer games around the world. 

Sam was born in Riverhead, NY before moving to Charles Town, WV. Sam graduated from Marshall University in Huntington,  WV with dual degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics. During her undergraduate career, she conducted research with Dr. John Marckiewicz on the synthesis of a tetrazaperylene derivative to bind with a DNA staple through a click reaction. Sam also enjoys playing tennis and spending time with friends when she’s not in the lab.

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Chris was raised in Pensacola, Florida and earned a B.S. in Chemistry at the University of West Florida. His undergraduate research was focused on method development of novel catalytic synthesis of small molecules employed in medicinal and materials chemistry. During the 2018 summer, he conducted research at Stanford University under Dr. Bao in the synthesis and fabrication of organic photovoltaic solar cells. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games, D&D, and working out.

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Max was born in Columbus, OH, before moving to Bethel Park, PA. He graduated from West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV with a B.s. in Chemistry. His undergraduate research focused on rhodium complexes with second coordination sphere boranes. During the summer of 2019, he conducted research at the University of Utah focusing on metal ligand cooperativity for carbon dioxide reduction. His hobbies include beekeeping, collecting, woodworking, and using his 3-D printer.

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Margaret is from Bethesda, Maryland.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. As an undergraduate, her research focused on synthetic and computational investigations of late-metal silylene complexes. Outside of lab, Margaret enjoys reading, spending time her with friends and family, and horseback riding.

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Josh was born in Cardington, OH.  He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, OH with a B.S. in Chemistry. He spent a year and a half working as an intern for Airable research lab developing soy based products. During the summer of 2019, he conducted research at The Ohio State University focusing on metal metal cooperativity for small molecule activation. His hobbies include running, lifting and playing video games.
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Saikat was born in Kolkata, India. He received his B.Sc. in Chemistry at University of Calcutta and M.Sc. from IIT Bombay. His previous research was on probing Non-Innocence and Intermetallic Coupling Process in Symmetric Diruthenium Frameworks, under the guidance of Prof. G.K.Lahiri . In his free time, he enjoys playing chess, table tennis and spend time with his friends.

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Jeff was born and raised in the small town of Pillow, Pennsylvania. He attended Susquehanna University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and performed research in the synthesis of dual-acceptor dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells under Dr. Phillip Brogdon. In his free time, Jeff loves hiking and watching movies.

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Sophie is a Nashville, Tennessee native who got her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Middle Tennessee State University. There, she performed undergraduate research in synthetic organic electrochemistry. Some of her hobbies include reading, working out on her Peloton, playing piano, and watching anime. 

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Emily is from West Bloomfield, Michigan. She earned her B.S. in chemistry at Michigan State University where she conducted research with Dr. Selvan Demir. Her research focused on f-element organometallic chemistry for applications in data information storage. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, running, and spending time with her cat Moe.  

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Abbi is from North Liberty, Indiana and received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry and mathematics from Saint Mary’s College. As an undergraduate, she worked on synthesizing inorganic compounds for redox flow batteries under Dr. Michael J. Drummond. While away from the lab, she enjoys baking, sewing, reading, thrifting, and anything outdoors. 

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Andrew was born and raised in Lena, Illinois. After graduating Pearl City High School as an Illinois State Scholar, Andrew attended Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. During his time at MMU, Andrew conducted supramolecular chemistry research at the University of Oregon under the direction of Professor Darren W. Johnson. Along with his B.S. in Chemistry, Andrew obtained the President’s Award and the Outstanding Natural Science Student Award. In his free time, Andrew enjoys playing music, exercising, and doing the Columbus Coffee Trail.

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Mitchell was born and raised in the Dayton, Ohio area. He is currently pursuing a bachelor of science in biochemistry in the Honors Program at The Ohio State University. In his free time outside of the lab, he loves playing the piano, cooking, and spending time with friends. 

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Preston was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and Houston, Texas. He is currently pursuing bachelors’ degrees in biochemistry and computer and information systems. Outside of the lab, he is also a member of the OSU club handball team and sings in the OSU choir.

Mark

Mark was born and raised in Broadview Heights, Ohio. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in the Honor’s program at Ohio State. Outside of the lab, Mark enjoys playing soccer, video games, and working out.

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Niyati was born and raised in Princeton, New Jersey. She is currently pursuing a bachelor of science in neuroscience in the Honors Program at The Ohio State University. Outside of the lab, Niyati is also apart of Campus EMS at The Ohio State University and College Mentors for kids.

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Marija was raised in Dublin, Ohio. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in chemistry at The Ohio State University. Outside of the lab, Marija enjoys weightlifting, reading, and drinking coffee with friends. She is also an active member of the Baltic Club and a founder of Perfect Pair on campus.

Anna Poptic
Ph.D. 2023
Dow Chemical

Jamey Bower
Ph.D. 2022
Dow Chemical

Madison Tuttle
Ph.D. 2022
Dow Chemical

Weiyao Zhang
Ph.D. 2022
Honeywell/UOP

Wenjie Tao
Postdoc 2017
Assistant Professor at Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology

Xin Yang
Postdoc 2018
JUUL Labs

Atri Maharaj
M.S. 2024

Shelby Davis
M.S. 2020
Novartis

Nadia Asous
M.S. 2018
Exxon Mobil

Andrew Cypcar
B.S. 2019
Graduate Student at University of California, Irvine

Alexei Vallo
B.S. 2021
Graduate Student at OSU

Michael Seo
B.S. 2017
Graduate Student at Notre Dame

Lina Zarnitsa
B.S. 2022
Graduate Student at UCLA

Emma Brackman
B.S. 2022
Battelle