Lab Alumni
Former Members of Our Lab
Life Cycle Assessment/Sustainable Chemistry
Pieter Nachtergaele -
Visiting Researcher
Joined: 2024
Degrees: B.S. in Bioscience engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (2014)
Ph.D. Chemistry and Bioprocess Technology Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (2021)
Current Project: Prospective Sustainability Assessment of Biomass-Derived Chemicals
Bio: Pieter Nachtergaele is a visiting Fulbright scholar from Ghent University. Pieter is passionate about advancing the transition to a bio-based and circular economy. He applies process modelling and sustainability assessment to investigate the use of renewable resources in the chemical industry. Pieter is also an EU Bioeconomy Youth Ambassador, a role he uses to have a positive impact by educating and connecting youth and policy-makers. Pieter has a passion for story-telling, cultural exchange, and education. He loves interacting with a live audience during his hobby as city guide in the historic city of Ghent.
Sustainable Chemistry/Polymer Chemistry
Haoqian Mao -
Postdoctoral Scholar
Joined: 2022
Degrees: B.S. in Textile Engineering, Tianjin Polytechnic University, China (2014) and M.S. Textile Engineering, Hochschule Niederrhein (2016)
Current Project: Sustainable Chemistry
Bio: Haoqian, originally from China, earned his B.S. in Engineering and M.S. degrees from institutions in China and Germany, specializing in fiber-reinforced materials, before embarking on his academic journey in the United States. Completing his Ph.D. training under the mentorship of Professor Mark Mascal at UC Davis, he now focuses on synthesizing novel furan oligomers. Haoqian's research showcases his dedication to pushing the boundaries of knowledge in the field and contributing to advancements in sustainable chemistry and materials. In his free time, Haoqian relishes traveling, snowboarding, and motorcycling.
Textile Chemistry/Sustainable Chemistry
Kleopatra Angelou - Undergraduate Student in Applied Chemistry
Left Our Lab: 2026
Degree: B.Sc. Applied Chemistry (in progress)
Current Project: Solid-support synthesis involving tetrazine derivatives
Bio: Kleopatra is an undergraduate student in applied chemistry based in Germany. She is currently completing a research internship at UC Davis, where her work focuses on the synthesis and investigation of tetrazine derivatives for solid support–controlled oligomerization. Her research interests include medicinal chemistry and pharmacology. Outside of the lab, Kleopatra enjoys playing the piano, painting, and traveling.
Textile Chemistry/Sustainable Chemistry
Julissa -
Chemistry PhD Student
Left Our Lab: 2026
Project: Supramolecular Chemistry
Degrees: B.S. in Biochemistry, CSU Bakersfield, (2023)
Bio: Julissa, from Bakersfield, earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry, and during her undergrad researched the degradation of pharmaceuticals in water in various conditions by measuring rate constants. Prior to starting her PhD journey, she was very focused on analytical and physical chemistry. For her PhD, she has decided to pursue switching focus towards organic chemistry research and will now be synthesizing supramolecular complexes that can be applied biologically or environmentally. During her free time, she enjoys riding horses and reading books. She also has a photography side business!
Fundamental Chemistry
Gizem Atakan Alkan -
Postdoctoral Scholar
Left Our Lab: 2026
Degrees:
B.S. in Chemistry, Middle East Technical University, Türkiye (2014)
M.S. in Chemistry, Middle East Technical University, Türkiye (2016)
Ph.D. in Chemistry, Middle East Technical University, Türkiye (2023)
Current Project: Triquinane Chemistry
Bio: Gizem, from Türkiye, earned her Master’s Degree in polymer chemistry, focusing on the synthesis and characterization of electrochromic polymers for simple display devices. For her PhD, she specialized in the design and synthesis of new-generation xanthene-based fluorophores and photodynamic therapy agents for brain cancer treatment, working on an ERC Grant project under the supervision of Dr. E Gorkem Gunbas. She also served as head coordinator for the organic chemistry lab at METU during her Ph.D. Now a postdoc, she explores triquinane chemistry. In her free time, she enjoys painting and playing tennis.