Graduate Students
Benjamin Patterson
bejamin.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
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
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
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2013-2019)
B.S. Chemistry, Texas A&M University – Commerce (2011-2013)
Dr. Joseph Reynolds III
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2013-2019)
B.S. Chemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology (2013)
Ryan Riparetti
M.A. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2015-2019)
B.S. Chemistry, University of California – Davis (2015)
Dr. Samuel Dunning
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2014-2018)
M.Chem., University of Sheffield (2014)
Dr. Pranaw Kunal
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2013-2018)
M.S. Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines (2013)
Dr. Iurie Malaestean
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
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2012-2017)
B.S. Chemistry, Rice University (2012)
Luis Polanco
M.A. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2014-2017)
B.S. Chemistry, UC San Diego (2014)
Dr. Nolan Waggoner
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
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)
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
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2009-2014)
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at El Paso (2008)
Dr. Kate Crawford (Biberdorf)
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)
Undergraduate Students
Will Kristo
Chemistry, 2025
Will had previously joined the Humphrey Group in the Summer after his freshman year as a result of his interest in inorganic and materials chemistry. Will aspires to work in industry for a few years after graduation, before returning back for graduate school. Outside of the lab, Will enjoys working out, hanging out with his friends, and watching college football.
Tanish Sodhi
Chemistry, 2025
Tanish Sodhi is a chemistry major from Pune, in India. He joined the Humphrey Group in the summer of 2024 and worked on synthesizing and studying ligands and MOFs with Joseph. After graduating, he plans to continue studying chemistry in grad school. Outside the lab, Tanish loves sci-fi and fantasy novels, movies, drawing, and instrumental music.
Andrew Petersen
Chemistry, 2025
Andrew is a chemistry major from Houston, Texas. He previously worked for 2 years in the Mullins Group researching nitrate additives for lithium ion batteries. He joined the Humphrey Group in the summer of 2024 and worked on producing MOF structured catalysts. In free time, he enjoys the NYT word games, spending time with friends, and watching sports. After finishing his chemistry degree, he plans on pursuing a PhD in chemistry.
Mauricio Agurcia
Chemistry, 2024
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. In the Humphrey group, he worked with Benjamin Patterson on studying the intersection of MOF chemistry and DFT and then worked with Benjamin Siu on synthesizing MOFs. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. under the supervision of Dr. Graeme Henkelman at UT Austin.
Courtney Rabara
Chemistry, 2024
Courtney Rabara is a chemistry major from Corpus Christi, Texas. She joined the Humphrey Group in the fall of 2021 and worked 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.
Ananya Gupta
Chemistry, 2024
Ananya is a materials chemistry major from Dallas, Texas who joined the Humphrey Group in the summer of 2023 where she worked to synthesize and characterize a novel MOF designed by Ben, her mentor. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career as a physician.
Brennan McKinney
Chemistry, 2023
Brennan graduated form the University of Texas in 2023 with BS in Chemistry. He worked with the Humphrey Group during his final two semesters. Working with Carolina Hernandez, he helped design the synthesis and characterization methods of gold, palladium and cobalt nanoparticles for the use of nitrate reduction in water sources. He presented those findings to UT research sponsors and faculty for the senior capstone project.
Morgan Marinelli
Chemical Engineering, 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.
Visiting Students
Moritz Schanbacher
2024-25
Moritz is a Master’s student in Chemistry from the University of Würzburg, Germany. He spent a year at The University of Texas at Austin as part of an exchange program, supported by a DAAD scholarship. During his undergraduate studies, he conducted research in Organometallic Chemistry, focusing on the synthesis and reactivity of transition metal complexes featuring N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) and N-heterocyclic silylenes (NHSi). He joined the Humphrey Group in fall 2024, where he worked on the development of new Metal-Organic Frameworks.
Nicholas Challier
2025
Originally from the UK, Nicholas was an exchange student from University College London (UCL). He joined the Humphrey group in the Spring of 2025, focusing on the synthesis of catalytic trimetallic nanoparticles. In his spare time, Nicholas enjoys songwriting and performing, as well as playing sport and hanging out with friends.
Finn Luedtke
finn.luedtke@austin.utexas.edu
2023-24
Finn joined the Humphrey Group in November 2023. He graduated from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) with a degree in chemical engineering and is currently pursuing his subsequent master’s degree. His previous research interests were in the synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts and reaction kinetics. In the Humphrey Group, he worked on the development of new Metal-Organic Frameworks for catalysis.
- 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) - 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) - Elinor Taylor (Fall 2019-Spring 2020)
Studied abroad at University of Texas at Austin through AIF program (Fall 2019-Spring 2020) - 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) - 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) - 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) - Ishita Kumar (Spring 2018-Spring 2019)
B.S. Chemistry & B.A. Economics, University of Texas at Austin (2021) - 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) - Carolina Vigil-Hernandez (Fall 2018-Spring 2019)
Studied abroad at University of Texas at Austin through AIF program (Fall 2018-Spring 2019)
UCL (2020) - David Krystek
Synthesized novel phosphine linkers and investigated green synthesis routes for new PCMs
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin - Gianne Nandra
M.Chem. University of Sheffield (2018) - Kelly Walsh
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2018)
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Washington (2018-) - Enriqueta Torres
- Alexandra Robles
- Andy Zen
- Jacob Lemley
- Laynee Allemond
- Jesse Zhang
- Eric Roddy
- Rachael Ambler
- Jameson Tieman
B.A. History, University of Texas at Austin (2012)
Post Bacc. Pre Med., University of Texas at Austin (2016) - Jameson Tieman
B.A. History, University of Texas at Austin (2012)
Post Bacc. Pre Med., University of Texas at Austin (2016) - Suliman Sharif
B.S. University of Texas at Austin (2016) - Adam Conn
M. Chem, University of Bristol (2016) - Raymond Borrego
- Darcy Oakes
- Beth Dewing
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2015) - Taylor Kornfuehrer
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2016) - Nick Zinni
- Macy Stavinoha
B.S. Chemistry and Psychology, University of Texas at Austin (2014) - Wes Ehlert
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2014) - Jake Baumeister
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2014) - 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) - 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) - Meredith Mosier
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2010) - Ray Foley
B.S. Chemistry, Huston-Tillotson University (2013)
NSF-REU National Science Foundation Undergraduate - Ray Foley
B.S. Chemistry, Huston-Tillotson University (2013)
NSF-REU National Science Foundation Undergraduate - Suhong Kim (Fall 2011-Spring 2012)
B.S. Chemistry, Seoul National University (2012) - Ellice Tan
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2012) - Adelekan Adewuyi
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2012) - Andrew Lee
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2013) - Lindsey Shear
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2010) - Lauren Song
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2010) - Christian Lambujon
B.S. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2010)