PhD students

Omar Kazi

Materials Systems for Sustainability

Darling Group

 

Omar Kazi works with Argonne scientists to develop water purification technology for places of water scarcity.

Michelle Bessiake

Immunoengineering

Esser-Kahn Group / Zemmour Lab

 

Michelle Bessiake focuses on understanding regulatory T cells and the diseases that manifest when they aren’t functional.

José A. Méndez

Quantum Engineering

Awschalom Group

 

José A. Méndez finds a hub for quantum technology and for collaboration at the University of Chicago.

Chloe Washabaugh

Quantum Engineering

Awschalom Lab

 

Chloe Washabaugh works on a new approach to build quantum bits, relying on chemistry to assemble atoms in ways that achieve specific properties.

Ivan Vuong

Immunoengineering

Hubbell Lab

 

Building on an interest in small-scale biology, Ivan Vuong is working to develop safer, more effective therapies for autoimmune diseases.

Fabian Bylehn

Materials Systems for Sustainability

de Pablo Group / Ranganathan Lab

 

Trading Olympic dreams for cutting-edge lab work, Fabian Byléhn uses machine modeling to study the building blocks of life.

Madison Plaster

Immunoengineering

Chevrier Lab

 

PhD candidate Madison Plaster explores how colon disease impacts the immune system.

Sam Marsden

Materials Systems for Sustainability

Rowan Group

 

Sam Marsden is working on creating a new form of polymer that will be as strong as polyethylene, but as recyclable as PET.

Andrea Diaz

Materials Systems for Sustainability

Patel Group

 

Andrea Diaz currently builds change by working on more recyclable forms of common waste plastic.

Carlos Medina Jimenez

Materials Systems for Sustainability

Tirrell Lab

 

Carlos Medina Jimenez develops next-generation polymers for use in bacteria-resistant medical implants, water purification devices, and more.

Susan Okrah

Immunoengineering

Tay Lab

 

Susan Okrah works on developing a new kind of microfluidic device to test for respiratory diseases. 

Noah Glachman

Quantum Engineering

Bernien Lab

 

Noah Glachman is researching how quantum computers can send information to each other over existing fiber optic cables.

Nicholas Boynton

Materials Systems for Sustainability

Rowan Group / Patel Group

 

As a NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Fellow, Nicholas Boynton is developing materials for future space missions.

Jeremiah Kim

Immunoengineering

Esser-Kahn Lab

 

Jeremiah Kim works on increasing the effectiveness of commercially available vaccines and minimizing the complications associated with them.

Anchita Addhya

Quantum Engineering

High Lab

 

Anchita Addhya is working on building a scalable quantum platform for quantum sensing and quantum communication.

Yahao Dai

Materials Systems for Sustainability

Wang Group

 

Yahao Dai is researching materials that can stretch and bend with the human body while reading biological signals.

Rachel Weathered

Immunoengineering

Swartz Lab

 

Rachel Weathered applies her scientific expertise to investment strategy, guiding financial firms through one of medicine’s most promising new fields.

Swathi Chandrika

Quantum engineering

Awschalom Lab

 

Swathi Chandrika works on developing new methods to transmit quantum information across long distances through existing fiber optic infrastructure.

Master of Engineering students

Sarah Sunyoung Kim

Bio- and Immunoengineering Track

 

Sarah Kim explores how research actually gets from lab bench to hospital bedside in the Master of Engineering program.

Rajsekhar Kadiyala

Computational Modeling of Materials Track

 

Raj Kadiyala studies quantum engineering to become part of the city’s burgeoning quantum ecosystem.

Alex Nyx

Bio- and Immunoengineering Track

 

Alex Nyx develops his understanding of engineering innovation to open more options in medicine.

Monica Duron Juarez

Bio- and Immunoengineering Track

 

Monica Duron Juarez learns not only the latest breakthroughs bio- and immunoengineering, but also how to bring those breakthroughs to market.

James Michael Kernan

Computational Modeling of Materials Track

 

An 800-year-old Italian poem inspired Franciscan friar Jimmy Kernan to study computational modeling materials.

Sonia Vohra

Polymer Science and Engineering Track (now Soft Matter Engineering or Computational Modeling of Materials)

 

Sonia Vohra credits UChicago PME with letting her pivot to engineering and setting her on her dream career path.

Max Kristy

Polymer Science and Engineering Track (now Soft Matter Engineering or Computational Modeling of Materials)

 

Max Kristy leverages the Master of Engineering program to further his knowledge of polymer science and apply it to his work in materials development.

Yo Han Seol

Polymer Science and Engineering Track (now Soft Matter Engineering or Computational Modeling of Materials)

 

Yo Han Seol taps into his own experience with the medical system to pursue precision (or personalized) medicine and technology.