Lab Members
Meet our interdisciplinary team of innovators and dreamers.
Principle Investigator
Dr. Mark Mascal
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:
Professor of Chemistry, UC Davis, 2003-present
Textile Chemistry/Sustainable Chemistry
Jiahui Wei -
Postdoctoral Scholar
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.
Medicinal Chemistry/Photochemistry
Joseph Beckett -
Ph.D. Student in Chemistry
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.
Biofuels Chemistry/Sustainable Chemistry
Huitao Ling -
Ph.D. Student in Chemistry
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.
Medicinal Chemistry/Sustainable Chemistry
Lena Svanholm -
Ph.D. Student in Chemistry
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.
SAR Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry
Trey Brasher -
Ph.D. Student in Pharmacology and Toxicology
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.
Organic Semiconducting Materials
Joshua Wesolowski -
Ph.D. Student in Chemistry
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.
Sustainable Chemistry
Cristina Flora -
Ph.D. Student in Chemistry
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.
Sustainable Chemistry
Brenden Chase -
Ph.D. Student in Chemistry
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.
Sustainable Chemistry
Pierce Brooks -
Ph.D. Student in Chemistry
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.
Medicinal Chemistry/Photochemistry
Rhemrose Sabio -
Ph.D. Student in Chemistry
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.
Cannabinoid Chemistry and Pharmacology
Cecilia Langlois -
Masters Student in Pharmacology and Toxicology
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.
Alliums and Pharmacology
Vincent Chen Chen -
Ph.D. Student in Chemistry
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.
Photochemistry
Joshua Mendoza -
Ph.D. Student in Chemistry
Joined: 2025
Degrees: B.S. in chemistry, University of California, Irvine
Current project: Stereochemical Selectivity of Photochemical Processes
Bio: Josh Mendoza is a SoCal native who conducted undergraduate research in targeted synthesis of natural products under Chris Vanderwal at UC Irvine. Josh's current efforts in the group focuses on extracyclic indole synthesis. If not in the lab, Josh enjoys spending time with friends and family, grappling, cooking and most importantly, getting some good ol sunshine.