MASCAL LAB 

Education:

Ph.D., Imperial College, University of London 

Appointments:

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Strasbourg, France
Lecturer, University of Nottingham, UK
Donald J. Cram Teacher-Scholar and Visiting Professor, UCLA

Current Position: 
Appointed to faculty, UC Davis, 2003-present

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.

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.

Joined: 2024

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.

Joined: 2024 

Degrees: B.A. in Textile Science & Technology, University of Manchester, United Kingdom, (2015)

M.S. in Textile & Clothing, UC Davis (2018), Ph.D. in Chemistry, UC Davis (2024) 

Current Project: Sustainable Chemistry

Bio: Jiahui enjoys playing five musical instruments. She is currently involved in research on dyes and fabrics, as well as synthesis, and occasionally works as an analytical chemist. Teaching is a passion of hers, and she's had the opportunity to serve as a head TA for nine consecutive quarters. She is now lecturing a sophomore organic chemistry course. 

Degrees: B.S. in Chemistry, University of California, Davis (2016)

Current Project: Extracyclic Indole Synthesis

Bio: Joseph Beckett is a California native and received his undergraduate degree in chemistry from UC Davis. Joseph's research focuses on tryptamine photochemistry and the production of novel psychoactive compounds. Joseph enjoys spending time helping others cultivate a love of chemistry, zombie related video games, going to heavy metal concerts, and contrary to most human beings does not enjoy eating foods, functioning at a very high level without any nutritional support.  

Joined: 2020

Degrees: B.S. in Applied Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, China

M. Eng. in Chemical Engineering, UC Davis.

Current Project: Sustainable Fuels

Bio: Huitao's research involves colorful dyes and colorless fuels. He is researching sustainable fuels for jet propulsion to help people travel the world sustainably. His hobbies include traveling the world and enjoying food, music, skiing, and soccer for life.

Joined: 2023 (currently on leave)

Degrees: B.A. in German, minor in Chemistry, UC Davis (2021), M.S. Pharmaceutical Chemistry, UC Davis (2023)  

Current Project: Extracyclic benzofuran synthesis

Bio: Lena's interests in the lab include sustainable synthesis of diverse aroma chemicals as well as Witkop-type cyclization of substituted benzofurans. When not in the lab, chances are that you can find Lena on a basketball court playing for the UC Davis Women’s Basketball team. In fact, after growing up in Denmark, basketball is what brought her to the U.S. as it served as an ideal opportunity for her to combine her academic pursuits with her passion for sports. Her interest is in traveling and meeting new people.

Joined: 2022

Degrees: B.A. in Pharmacology, minors in Behavioral Neuroscience and Holistic Health (2020)

Current Project: Medicinal Chemistry 

Bio: Trey is a chemist, artist, and athlete from Denver, Colorado.  He received his undergraduate degree in pharmacology from Stockton University.  Trey has conducted research in serotonin agonist pharmacology, looking at associations between positive psychology, ego dissolution, and serotonergic drugs.  He also worked at Unlimited Science conducting research on psilocybin in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University and at Rutgers University Plant Pathology Lab working on novel antifungal formulations. He is currently focused on phenethylamine and tryptamine synthetic chemistry, in the pursuit of new anti-Parkinson‘s drugs.  

Joined: 2023

Degrees: B.S. in Chemistry, University of Alaska, Anchorage (2021)

Current project: Organic semiconductors & photovoltaics

Bio: Josh is primarily interested in everything organic chemistry, but has secondary interests in analytical, inorganic, and environmental chemistry. He enjoys playing video games and watching anime or sci-fi in his free time.

Joined: 2023

Degrees: B.S. in Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies, (2019), M.S. in Environmental Science (2022)

Current Project: Sustainable Chemistry

Bio: Take some curiosity and love for learning. Add some time to study chemistry and environmental science, some practice in visual arts and performance, community engagement, and some fresh climate anxiety. Cook everything until a fixation on sustainability bubbles, and sprinkle with a sassy attitude and lots of emotions. Serve with a saucy side of discussions on activism and change-making - and voilà! Cristina's goal is to help build a more just, environmentally conscious, and humane world - one molecule at a time.

Joined: 2023

Degrees: B.S. in Biochemistry, CSU Bakersfield, (2022)

Current Project: Sustainable Chemistry

Bio: Brenden is interested in the production of sustainable aromatic and solvent-like molecules from biomass. His passion is cooking, whether it is in the lab or in the kitchen.

Joined: 2023

Degrees: B.S. in Chemistry, University of Alaska, Fairbanks (2021)

Current Project: Sustainable chemistry 

Bio: Pierce works at the intersection of organic synthesis and chemical reactor development.  He loves the outdoors, winter sports, hockey, snow, and small towns.  His interests include circuitry, Arduino, and inventing.

Joined: 2023

Degrees: B.S. in Chemistry, Christian Brothers University (Memphis, TN)

M.S. in Chemistry (Organic and Inorganic track), CSU Los Angeles

Current Project: Natural Products Total Synthesis

Bio: Rhemmy's research interests include total synthesis of natural products. Rhemmy is a foodie who enjoys cooking, traveling, nightlife, live music, and hikes with her German Shepherd in her free time.

Joined: 2024
Degrees:
B.S. in Biochemistry, CSU Bakersfield, (2023)
Current Project: Supramolecular Chemistry
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!

Joined: 2024
Degrees: B.S. in Chemistry, UC Irvine, (2024)
Current Project: Medicinal Chemistry
Bio: Before matriculating at UC Davis, Vincent studied the structural-activity relationship of nickel catalysts. He is now interested in studying therapeutically relevant molecules. Outside of the lab, he enjoys exercising, walking around Costco, and trying out new restaurants.

Joined: 2023

Degrees: B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Anthropology B.S. UC Davis 2023

Current project: Pseudocannabinoid synthesis 

Bio: Cecilia Langlois is a graduate student with interests in chemistry and neuropharmacology and is currently working on a project synthesizing CBD analogs for potential therapeutic applications. Cecilia enjoys painting, dancing, and basketball in her free time, but also sunshine and gentle breezes.