Former Graduate Students

Landon Durak (2010-2015)

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Chicago
Thesis: Organometallic and Chemoenzymatic Approaches to Arene Arylation via C-H Bond Cleavage
B.S. Chemistry, Boston College
UChicago Everett E. Gilbert Memorial Prize (2013)
UChicago Edith Barnard Award in Chemistry for Service to Others (2014)
Last known position: Associate Director, Biohaven Pharmaceuticals

James Payne (2010-2015)

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Chicago
Thesis: Engineering Halogenases for Selective Functionalization of Bioactive Molecules
B.S. Chemistry, University of Illinois
NIH CBI Trainee (2011-2013)
Abbot Scholar (2012)
ACS DOC Graduate Fellow (2013)
Postdoc: NIH Postdoctoral Fellow (F32), Smolke group, Stanford University
Last known position: Scientist, Antheia Pharmaceuticals

Hao Yang (2010-2016)

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Chicago
Thesis: Engineering Artificial Metalloenzymes for Selective Catalysis
B.S. Chemistry, Wuhan University, China
UChicago Helen Sellei-Beretvas Fellowship (2014)
Last known position: Senior Scientist, Protein Engineering, Merck

Chen Zhang (2010-2015)

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Chicago
Thesis: Design, Construction, and Directed Evolution of Artificial Metalloenzymes
B.S. Chemistry, Tsinghua University, China
Last known position: Scientist, Provivi Inc.

Mary Andorfer (2011-2017)

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Chicago
Thesis: Catalyst-Controlled, Site-Selective Halogenation Using Flavin-Dependent Halogenases
B.S. Chemistry, Butler University
NIH CBI Trainee (2012)
NSF Predoctoral Fellow (2012)
ARCS Foundation Scholar, Illinois Chapter (2014)
UChicago Helen Sellei-Beretvas Fellowship (2015)
UChicago Albert J. Cross Prize for Excellence in Research, Teaching, and Departmental Citizenship (2016)
Research Intern, Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, 2018
Last known position: Assistant Professor, Michigan State University

Kat Ellis-Guardiola (2011-2017)

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Chicago
Thesis: Prolyl Oligopeptidase-Based Artificial Metalloenzymes for Selective Catalysis
B.S. Chemistry, Carleton College
NIH CBI Trainee (2012)
UChicago Seymour Goodwin Fellowship (2015)
SciFinder Future Leader in Chemistry (2015)
Last known position: postdoc, Clubb group, UCLA

Yifan Gu (2011-2017)

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Chicago
Thesis: New Approaches in Artificial (Metallo)Enzymes
B.S. Chemistry, Peking University
UChicago Eugene Olshansky Memorial Fellowship (2016)
Last known position: Lab Head, Sanofi Institute for Biomedical Research

Joe Gair (2012-2018)

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Chicago
Thesis: Transition Metal Mediated Non-directed C-H Functionalization
B.S. Chemistry, St. John’s University
NSF Predoctoral Fellow (2014)
UChicago Everett E. Gilbert Memorial Prize for the Best Third Year Experimentalist in Organic Chemistry (2016)
Research Intern, Vertex Pharmaceuticals (2018-2019)
Last known position: Assistant Professor, Michigan State University

Andrew Jeffries (2013-2014)

M.S. Chemistry, University of Chicago
B.S. Chemistry, Centre College
Last known position: Scientist at MilliporeSigma

Edward Prybolsky (2013-2014)

M.S. Chemistry, University of Chicago
B.S. Chemistry, Syracuse University
Last known position: Key Account Manager at Sartorius

Brian Koronkiewicz (2014-2015)

M.S. Chemistry, University of Chicago
B.S. Chemistry, University of the Sciences
NSF Predoctoral Fellow
Last known position: Senior Professional Staff, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Abraham Ng (2014-2015)

M.S. Chemistry, University of Chicago
B.S. Chemistry, University of Florida
Last known position: University of Chicago

Alan Swartz (2014-2018)

M.S. Chemistry, University of Chicago
B.S. Chemistry, Roosevelt University
Alan passed away in 2018.

Paul Butkovich (2015-2017)

M.S. Education and Social Policy, Northwestern University
M.S. Chemistry, University of Chicago
B.S. Chemistry, UIUC
Last known position: Science Teacher, Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette, IL

Natalie Chan (2015-2021)

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Chicago
Thesis: Transition Metal Mediated Transformations in Small Molecule and Enzymatic Systems
B.S. Chemistry, Rochester University
Last known position: Consultant, Boston Consulting Group

Atreyi Bhattacharya (2016-2019)

M.S. Chemistry, University of Chicago
M.S. Chemistry, University College Dublin
B.S. Chemistry, University of Delhi, St. Stephen’s College
Last known position: Associate Scientist II at Abbvie

David Upp (2015-2021)

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Chicago
Thesis: Engineering and Evolving Dirhodium Artificial Metalloenzymes for Carbene Transfer Reactions
B.S. Chemistry, Loyola University, Chicago
Last known position: Postdoc with Miguel Alcalde, CSIC, Madrid, Spain

Harrison Snodgrass (2016-2022)

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Chicago
B.S. Chemistry, West Chester University
Last known position: Senior Scientist, Merck Biocatalysis

Qian Du (2020-2022)

M.S. Chemistry, Indiana University
B.S. Chemistry, University of California, San Diego
Last known position: Indiana University

Christian Gomez (2016-2023)

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Chicago
B.S. Chemistry, Universidad de Buenos Aires
Last known position: Principal Scientist, Resonance Medicine

Caitlin Roof (2020-2023)

M.S. Chemistry, Indiana University
B.S. Chemistry, Indiana University
Last known position: Singota Solutions

Yasmine Zubi (2018-2023)

Ph.D. Chemistry, Indiana University
Thesis: Controlling the Activities and Expanding the Catalytic Capabilities of Proteins with Transition Metals
Chester Davis Fellowship in Inorganic Chemistry (2022)
Lynne L. Merritt Fellowship (2022)
IU Quantitative and Chemical Biology Training Fellowship (2019-2021)
IU Chemistry C500 Award (2019)
B.S. Chemistry, University of Virginia
Last known position: applying to law school

Yuhua Jiang (2019-2024)

Ph.D. Chemistry, Indiana University
Thesis: Expanding the Scope and Reactivity of Flavin-Dependent Halogenases
Marvin Carmack Fellowship (2023)
Burton L. Appleton award (2023)
B.S. Chemistry, Nankai University
Last known position: tbd

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Former Postdoctoral Researchers

Dr. Zhihui Zhang

Postdoctoral Scholar 2010-2012
Organic and organometallic synthesis
Ph.D. Chemistry, Emory University
Last known position: Global Product Manager, MilliporeSigma

Dr. Poonam Srivastava

Postdoctoral Scholar 2011-2014
Artificial metalloenzymes
Ph.D. Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University
Postdoc, University of Minnesota
Last known position: Research Scientist, Modern Meadow

Dr. Cathy Poor

Postdoctoral Scholar 2012-2013
Halogenase engineering
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Chicago
Last known position: Senior Scientist at Cargill

Dr. Lee Solomon

Postdoctoral Scholar 2013-2014
Artificial metalloenzymes
Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania
Last known position: Assistant Professor at George Mason University

Dr. Duo-Sheng Wang

Postdoctoral Scholar 2013-2014
Organic and organometallic synthesis
Ph.D. Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sci.
Postdoc, Muenster University
Last known position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Boston College

Dr. Hyun June Park

Postdoctoral Scholar 2014-2015
Protein Engineering
B.S. Applied Chemical Engineering, Chonnam National University, Korea
Ph.D. Seoul National University
Last known position: Assistant Professor at Duksung Women’s University

Dr. Ketaki Belsare

Postdoctoral Scholar 2015-2017
Protein Engineering
B.Pharm. Univ. Pune, India
M.Tech., NIPER, India
Ph.D. RWTH Aachen Univ., Germany
Last known position: Postdoc, DeGrado group, University of California, San Francisco

Dr. Dipankar Sahoo

Postdoctoral Scholar 2018-2019
B.S. Chemistry, Vidyasagar University, India
M.S. Chemistry, IIT Guwahati, India
Ph.D. Chemistry, IIT Kanpur, India
BK21 Fellowship, KAIST (with Prof. Yunho Lee)
Last known position: Postdoc, Smith group, IU

Dr. Brian Fisher

NIH Postdoctoral Fellow 2016-2020
B.S. Chemistry, B.A. Japanese Language and Culture, Indiana University
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison (with Prof. Sam Gellman)
Last known position: Senior Scientist, Solugen

Dr. Krysten Jones

Postdoctoral Scholar 2017-2020
B.S. Chemistry, Elizabethtown College
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of California, Irvine (with Prof. Jennifer Prescher)
Last known position: Senior Researcher, University of Chicago

Dr. Dibyendu Mondal

Postdoctoral Scholar 2018-2021
B.S. Chemistry, University of Pune
M.S. Organic Chemistry, University of Pune
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Iowa (with Prof. Amnon Kohen)
Last known position: Lead Scientist I, Biocatalysis, Kalsec Inc.

Dr. Xinhang Yang

Postdoctoral Scholar 2019-2021
B.S. Chemistry, Beijing Institute of Technology
Ph.D. Chemistry, Marquette University
Last known position: Senior Scientist, Enzymaster

Dr. Rui Huang

Postdoctoral Scholar 2018-2022
B.S. Biotechnology, Sun Yat-sen University, China
M.S. Microbiology, Sun Yat-sen University, China
Ph.D. Biological Systems Engineering, Virgina Tech
Last known position: Associate Research Fellow, Shanghai Institute of Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Dr. Bingqing Liu

Postdoctoral Scholar 2020-2023
B.S. Applied Chemistry, Hubei University, China
M.S. Organic Chemistry, Hubei University, China
Ph.D. Chemistry, North Dakota State University
Postdoc University of South Florida
Last known position: Postdoc, UIC

Dr. Jianbin Li

Postdoctoral Scholar 2022-2024
B.S. Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, China, and Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Ph.D. Chemistry, McGill University
Last known position: Asst. Prof., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen

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Former Undergraduate and High School Students

Liwei Chen

Undergraduate Researcher, 2011-2013
B.S. Chemistry, University of Chicago
Organometallic synthesis and DFT calculations
Last known position: chemistry graduate student at Harvard University

Joe Bartolacci

Undergraduate and Post baccalaureate Researcher, 2011-2014
Biocatalysis
B.S. Biology, University of Chicago
Last known position: medical student at Temple University

Sarah Iqbal

Undergraduate Researcher, 2011-2012
Halogenases
B.S. Chemistry, University of Chicago
Last known position: medical student at USF Morsani College of Medicine

Kavia Khosla

High School Researcher, Summer 2011
Halogenases
Last known position: undergraduate, Brown University

Jeff Montgomery

Undergraduate Researcher, 2011-2014
Protein engineering and organic synthesis
B.S. Biochemistry, B.A. Chemistry, B.A. Biology, University of Chicago
Last known position: chemistry graduate student at the University of Chicago

Andy Nian

Undergraduate Researcher, 2011-2012
Organic Synthesis
B.S. Biochemistry, University of Chicago
Last known position: Northwestern University, Medical School

Andrew Ng

Undergraduate Researcher, 2012-2015
Artificial metalloenzymes
B.S. Chemistry, University of Chicago
Last known position: chemistry graduate student at the University of Chicago

Kyle Kunze

Undergraduate Researcher, 2013-2015
Halogenases/organic synthesis
B.S. Biology, University of Chicago
Last known position: medical student, Rush University Medical Center

Michael Roy

Undergraduate Researcher, 2013-2016
Organometallic synthesis
B.S. Biochemistry, University of Chicago
Last known position: chemistry graduate student at the University of Wisconsin

Jacqueto Zephyr

Post baccalaureate researcher (B.S. Chemistry, Stony Brook University)
UC PREP Program, 2014-2015
Organic synthesis
Last known position: chemistry graduate student at the University of Massachusetts

Dajashinair Howard

Visiting Undergraduate Researcher (Leadership Alliance Program), Summer 2014
Artificial metalloenzymes
Last known position: chemistry major, Michigan State University

Frida Cardenas

Undergraduate Researcher, summer 2016
Protein Engineering
Last known position: student at the University of Chicago

Julia Chael

High School Researcher, summer 2014, 2016
Halogenases
Last known position: undergraduate student at the University of Chicago

Marissa Parker

Undergraduate 2015-2016
Artificial metalloenzymes
Last known position: chemistry graduate student at the University of Washington

Jaylie Vergara-Coll

Undergraduate Researcher 2015-2017
Halogenases
Last known position: undergraduate student at the University of Chicago

Sara Warrington

Undergraduate Researcher, 2016-2017
Halogenases
Last known position: undergraduate student at the University of Chicago

Ryan Beckner

Undergraduate Researcher, 2015-2017
B.S. Biochemistry, University of Chicago
Artificial metalloenzyme synthesis and characterization
Last known position: UT Southwestern MD/PhD program

Cesar Saucedo

Leadership Alliance Summer Research – Early Identification Program Intern, summer 2017
Undergraduate, DePaul University

Anna Girlich

Undergraduate Researcher, 2016-2017
Halogenases
Last known position: University of Chicago

Yehao Qiu

Undergraduate Researcher, 2015-2018
Organometallics
Last known position: graduate students, University of California, Berkeley

Omar Khan

Undergraduate Researcher, 2019-2020
Halogenases
Last known position: Assistant Biochemist at PPD – Pharmaceutical Product Development, Madison, WI