Former Graduate Students

Postgraduate Scholars

Dr. Venkatesh Piradi

venkateshpiradhi@gmail.com

Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Texas at Austin (2023-Present)
Former Post-Doctoral Scholar, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong (2020-2022)
Ph.D. Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong (2016-2019)
M.Sc. Organic Chemistry, Andhra University, India (2011)
B.Sc. Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, Andhra University, India (2009)

Graduate Students

Ben Siu

bsiu568@utexas.edu

Materials Science and Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (2018-present)
B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of South Alabama (2018)

Ben is from Biloxi, Mississippi and did his undergraduate degree in Chemical Eng. at the University of South Alabama. He studied under Drs. Kevin West and James David for the synthesis and characterization of thermally stable ionic liquids for their thermodynamic properties. In 2018, Ben graduated and moved to Austin for his PhD, joining the Humphrey lab in Fall 2019. In the Humphrey lab, Ben is researching pyrazole-based organoarsine ligands and their resulting metal-organic frameworks. His hobbies include Wing Chun, reading philosophy, and baking.

Samuel Emslie

samemslie@utexas.edu

Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2020-present)
MChem., University of Sheffield (2020)

Sam grew up in London, England and went on to receive a first class Masters degree in Chemistry from the University of Sheffield in 2020. As part of his degree he studied for a year at UT Austin in 2018-19 and worked in the Humphrey lab on functionalizing phosphorous coordination materials with low valent platinum group metals. Following on from his Masters, Sam rejoined the Humphrey lab to pursue his doctorate degree and is currently working on the synthesis and functionalization of a class of antimony coordination materials. Outside of lab Sam likes to have his privacy respected.

Carolina Vigil Hernandez

carolina.vigil.hernandez@utexas.edu

Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2020-present)
MSc in Chemistry, University College London (2020)

Carolina is from Spain, and attended University College London for her undergraduate studies (M.Sc. Chemistry). She joined the Humphrey group in the Fall of 2020, and has since been working on synthesizing trimetallic nanoparticles and metal oxide supports for catalytic applications. She is very passionate about lab safety, enjoys dancing, and playing golf.

Carolyn Brady

cebrady@utexas.edu

Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2020-present)
NSF-NRT INFEWS Fellow, University of Texas at Austin (2021-present)
Laboratory Technician, AMPAC Fine Chemicals (2020)
B.S. Chemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz (2019)

Carolyn joined the Humphrey lab in the fall of 2020 and does research on the nano side. She is also co-advised by Dr. Charlie Werth in Civil Engineering. In her undergraduate at UC Santa Cruz, she worked in a biogeochemistry lab, and two inorganic chemistry labs. In lab, she is interested in environmental remediation through gas-phase and liquid phase catalysis. Outside of lab she is interested in dungeons and dragons, yoga, and mushroom foraging.

Nicolas D’Annunzio

ndannunzio@utexas.edu

Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2021-present)
Research Associate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (2019-2021)
B.S. Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh (2019)

Nicolas D’Annunzio became a member of the Humphrey group in 2021 and joined the nano sub group. As a member of the Humphrey group, Nick is exploring the synthesis, characterization, and catalytic applications of multimetallic nanoparticles as well as researching unique structures in hopes of enhancing catalytic activity of his particles. Before enrolling at UT, Nick obtained his B.S in Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh (2019) and worked as a Post Bachelor’s Research Associate at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (2019-2021). Outside of the lab Nick enjoys watching films, staying active, and exploring the many restaurants Austin has to offer.

Joseph Willoughby

jwilloug@utexas.edu

Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2021-present)
B.S. Chemistry, University of Maryland (2021)
B.A. Criminal Justice & Criminology, University of Maryland (2021)

Irfan Arif

irfan.arif.che@utexas.edu

Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (2022-present)
Senior Research Officer, Indian Oil R&D Centre (2019-2022)
M.Tech. Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (2019)
B.Tech. Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi (2017)

Chentao Fang

chentao@utexas.edu

Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2023-present)

Chentao is originally from Quzhou, Zhejiang and he received his B.S. in Material Chemistry from University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in 2021. From 2021-2023, he served as a research assistant in USTC focusing using MOFs to catalyze CO2 conversion. Now, Chentao hopes to synthesize new ligands and MOFs with fancy structures and applications to help with the real world. Outside of research, he enjoys fishing so much.

Austin Engstrom

aengstrom@utexas.edu

Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2023-present)

Austin grew up in Seattle and attended the University of Washington, Seattle, where he graduated with a BS in Chemistry in Spring 2023. While there, he was an undergraduate researcher in the Cossairt lab, where he researched InP magic-size clusters. Once at UT, he joined the Humphrey lab in Fall 2023, where he synthesizes metal alloy nanoparticles for catalysis. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, impulsively creating spreadsheets about random things, and writing a novel.

Undergraduate Students

Mauricio Agurcia

Mauricio Agurcia is a chemistry major from Houston, Texas. He joined the Humphrey Group in the summer of 2021 and has previously worked on synthesizing and studying phosphine coordination materials containing platinum and palladium complexes with Stephanie White. In the summer of 2022 he completed and REU and UC San Diego. He now works with Benjamin Patterson studying the intersection of MOF chemistry and DFT.

Courtney Rabara

Courtney Rabara is a chemistry major from Corpus Christi, Texas. She joined the Humphrey Group in the fall of 2021 and is currently working on synthesizing and studying nanoparticles with Carolyn Brady. After finishing her chemistry undergraduate degree at UT, she plans to attend graduate school to pursue a PhD in chemistry.

Will Kristo

Will Kristo is a chemistry major from Palatine, Illinois. He joined the Humphrey Group in the summer of 2022 and is currently working on synthesizing and studying nanoparticles with Nick D’Anunnzio. After finishing his chemistry undergraduate degree at UT, he plans to work in materials chemistry.

Ananya Gupta

ananyagupta@utexas.edu

Ananya is a fourth-year materials chemistry major on the pre-med track. Before joining the Humphrey lab, she studied structure-based vaccine design in Jason McLellan’s group and interned in the microbiology-focused Yurochko group at the LSU Health Shreveport Graduate School. Currently, she is working with her mentor, Ben, to do her capstone project on the characterization of a novel arsine pyrazolate-based nickel MOF. In her free time, Ananya likes watching soccer, eating blueberry pancakes, and hanging out with her friends.

Benjamin Patterson

benjamin.patterson33@utexas.edu

M.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2021-2023)
Senior Pharmacy Technician, Walgreens (2019-2021)
B.S. Biochemistry, Reed College (2019)

Dr. Jacob Troutman

ja.troutman@utexas.edu

Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Texas at Austin (2022-2023)
Ph.D. Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (2017-2022)
NSF-NRT INFEWS Fellow, University of Texas at Austin (2019-2022)
M.S. Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (2019)
B.S. Chemistry and Mathematics, Wingate University (2017)

Dr. Stephanie White

stephaniewhite@utexas.edu

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2022)
Analytical Chemist, Authentix (2014-2018)
B.S. Chemistry, Texas A&M University (2013)

Emily Buttafuoco

emily.buttafuoco@utexas.edu

Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2021-2022)
B.S. Chemistry, Simmons University (2021)

Brandon Hill

hillbr@utexas.edu

Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2021-2022)
M.S. Chemistry, East Carolina University (2020)
B.S. Chemistry, East Carolina University (2015)

Micah Heinz

Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2018-2021)
B.S. Chemistry and Music, Hillsdale College (2018)

Dr. Shichao He

Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (2020)
M.S. Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology (2012)
B.S. Chemical Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology (2010)

Kevin Baar

Linkedin

M.A. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2018-2020)
B.S. Chemistry, University of Missouri – Columbia (2018)

Dr. Hongyu (Chris) Guo

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2015-2020)
B.S. Chemistry, Peking University (2015)

Dr. R. Eric Sikma

Linkedin

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2015-2020)
B.S. Chemistry, Texas Tech University (2015)

Lu Han

M.A. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2017-2019)
B.S. Chemistry, Peking University (2017)

Dr. Junpeng He

Linkedin

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2013-2019)
B.S. Chemistry, Texas A&M University – Commerce (2011-2013)

Dr. Joseph Reynolds III

Linkedin

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2013-2019)
B.S. Chemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology (2013)

Ryan Riparetti

Linkedin

M.A. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2015-2019)
B.S. Chemistry, University of California – Davis (2015)

Dr. Samuel Dunning

Linkedin

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2014-2018)
M.Chem., University of Sheffield (2014)

Dr. Pranaw Kunal

Linkedin

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2013-2018)
M.S. Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines (2013)

Dr. Iurie Malaestean

Linkedin

Visiting Researcher, University of Texas at Austin (2017-2018)
Assoc. Prof. in Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of Moldova (2015)
Ph.D. Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of Moldova (2007)
M.Sc. Department of Biology and Chemistry, Tiraspol State University, Moldova (2002)

Dr. Graham Piburn

Linkedin

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2012-2017)
B.S. Chemistry, Rice University (2012)

Luis Polanco

Linkedin

M.A. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2014-2017)
B.S. Chemistry, UC San Diego (2014)

Dr. Nolan Waggoner

Linkedin

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2012-2016)
R&D Nucleic Acid Scientist, Agilent (2010-2012)
B.S. Chemistry, Fort Lewis College (2010)

An Nguyen

Linkedin

M.A. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2013-2016)
B.S. Chemistry and Mathematics, Tulane University (2013)

Sarah Seraj

M.S./Ph.D. Environmental Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (2016)
B.S. Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (2014)

Dr. Haiqin Wan

Faculty, School of the Environment, Nanjing University (2009)
Ph.D. Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University (2008)

Dr. Alisha Bohnsack

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2015)
B.S. Chemistry, Texas A&M University (2010)

Dr. Stephany Garcia (McClements)

Linkedin

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2014)
B.S. Chemistry, Randolph-Macon College, Virginia (2010)

Jessica Stokes

B.S. Chemistry, University of Missouri (2013)

Dr. Ana Nuñez

Linkedin

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2009-2014)
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at El Paso (2008)

Dr. Kate Crawford (Biberdorf)

Linkedin & Kate the Chemist

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2008-2014)
B.S. Chemistry and German, University of Michigan (2008)

Beau Saccoccia

Post Bacc. Pre Med., University of Texas at Austin (2014)
B.A. Mathematics, Dartmouth College (2004)

Dr. You-Kyong Seo

Post Doc. Synthesis of PCMs, University of Texas at Austin (2013)
Ph.D. Chemistry, Yonsei University, South Korea (2010)
B.S. Chemistry, Inje University, South Korea (2006)

Maxwell Chang

B.S. Chemistry, University of Southern California (2011)

David Casto

B.S. Chemistry, University of Missouri (2011)

Eric Nemeth

B.S. Chemistry, University of Florida (2010)

Dr. Ilich Ibarra

Post Doc. Synthesis of PCMs, University of Texas at Austin (2010-2013)
Ph.D. School of Chemistry, The University of Nottingham, UK (2010)
B.S. Chemistry, Autonomous Metropolitan University, Mexico (2005)

Dr. Naween Dahal

Post Doc. Nanomaterials Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2010-2012)
Ph.D. Nanomaterials Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan (2010)
M.S. Physical Chemistry, Tribhuvan University at Kathmandu, Nepal (1997)

Christine de la Torre

B.S. Chemistry, University of San Francisco (2010)

Somi Won

B.S. Chemistry, Emporia State University, Kansas (2009)

Kiran Divakar

M.S. ECE, University of Texas at Austin (2011)
B.E (Hons) EEE BITS, Pilani , India (2007)

Former Undergraduate Researchers

Brennan McKinney (2022)

Brennan McKinney is a chemistry major born in New Mexico and raised in Texas. He joined the Humphrey Group in the fall of 2022 and worked on synthesizing and studying trimetallic and bimetallic nanoparticles under Carolina Vigil Hernandez. He plans to work in materials or inorganic chemistry after his bachelors is finished.

Morgan Marinelli (2022)

Morgan Marinelli is a chemical engineer from Houston, Texas. She joined the Humphrey Group in the fall of 2022 and worked with Dr. Jacob Troutman. She is currently working at Exxon.

Former Undergraduate Students

Check out our Austin International Framework (AIF) program!

  1. Catherine Romero (Summer 2018-Summer 2021)
    Studied abroad at University of Glasgow through AIF program (Spring 2020)
    B.S. University of Texas at Austin (2021)

2. Francesca Patel-Burrows (Fall 2019-Spring 2020)
Studied abroad at University of Texas at Austin through AIF program (Fall 2019-Spring 2020)
M.Chem. University of Sheffield (2021)

3. Elinor Taylor (Fall 2019-Spring 2020)
Studied abroad at University of Texas at Austin through AIF program (Fall 2019-Spring 2020)

4. Samantha Beck (Spring 2018-Fall 2019)
Studied abroad at University of Nottingham through AIF program (Spring 2020)
Worked with PCMs containing phosphine sulfide and phosphine selenide linkers
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2021)

5. Nicole Kim (Fall 2018-Fall 2019)
Studied abroad at University of Nottingham through AIF program (Spring 2020)
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2021)

6. Joseph Fryer (Spring 2018-Spring 2019)
Studied abroad at University of Nottingham through AIF program (Fall 2019)
Synthesized new arsine coordination materials (ACMs)
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2020)

7. Ishita Kumar (Spring 2018-Spring 2019)
B.S. Chemistry & B.A. Economics, University of Texas at Austin (2021)

8. Samuel Emslie (Fall 2018-Spring 2019)
Studied abroad at University of Texas at Austin through AIF program (Fall 2018-Spring 2019)
M.Chem. University of Sheffield (2020)

9. Carolina Vigil-Hernandez (Fall 2018-Spring 2019)
Studied abroad at University of Texas at Austin through AIF program (Fall 2018-Spring 2019)
UCL (2020)

10. David Krystek
Synthesized novel phosphine linkers and investigated green synthesis routes for new PCMs
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin

11. Gianne Nandra
M.Chem. University of Sheffield (2018)

12. Kelly Walsh
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2018)
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Washington (2018-)

13. Enriqueta Torres

14. Alexandra Robles

15. Andy Zen

16. Jacob Lemley

17. Laynee Allemond

18. Jesse Zhang

19. Eric Roddy

20. Rachael Ambler

21. Jameson Tieman
B.A. History, University of Texas at Austin (2012)
Post Bacc. Pre Med., University of Texas at Austin (2016)

22. Suliman Sharif
B.S. University of Texas at Austin (2016)

23. Adam Conn
M. Chem, University of Bristol (2016)

24. Raymond Borrego

25. Darcy Oakes

26. Alice Duncan

27. Beth Dewing
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2015)

28. Taylor Kornfuehrer
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2016)

29. Nick Zinni

30. Macy Stavinoha
B.S. Chemistry and Psychology, University of Texas at Austin (2014)

31. Wes Ehlert
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2014)

32. Jake Baumeister
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2014)

33. Samuel Dunning (Fall 2012-Spring 2013)
Studied abroad at University of Texas at Austin through AIF program (Fall 2012-Spring 2013)
M.Chem. University of Sheffield (2014)

34. Meredith Mosier
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2010)

35. Ray Foley
B.S. Chemistry, Huston-Tillotson University (2013)
NSF-REU National Science Foundation Undergraduate

36. Suhong Kim (Fall 2011-Spring 2012)
B.S. Chemistry, Seoul National University (2012)

37. Ellice Tan
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2012)

38. Adelekan Adewuyi
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2012)

39. Andrew Lee
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2013)

40. Lindsey Shear
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2010)

41. Lauren Song
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2010)

42. Christian Lambujon
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2010)