Hal Alper, Ph.D.

B.S: Chemical Engineering, University of Maryland at College Park

Ph.D: Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Post-doc: Whitehead Institute

Post-doc: Shire Human Genetic Therapies

Huaimin Wang, Ph.D.

Ph.D.: School of Energy and Environment, The City University of Hong Kong

M.S.: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

B.S.: Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University

Email: huaimin.wang AT utexas.edu

Research: I am interested in metabolic engineering based plastic biodegradation and biorefinery.

Interests: Big fan of Texas BBQ, try to do a review for all the BBQ restaurants in Texas. I also love badminton and video games.

Sangdo Yook, Ph.D.

Ph.D.: Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

M.S.: Environmental Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology

B.S.: Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul

Email: sangdo.yook AT austin.utexas.edu

Research: I am interested in practical problem-solving through synthetic biology and genetic engineering, particularly in biorefinery, bioremediation, and the production of genetically modified foods.

Interests: I enjoy camping and traveling with family and friends.

Daniel Acosta (co-advised with Dr. Ellington)

PhD Student in Microbiology (ILSGP)

B.S.: Microbiology, University of Arizona

Email: d.acosta AT utexas.edu

Research: I am interested in utilizing metabolic engineering/synthetic biology in bioremediation and renewable feedstock applications, specifically microbial techniques for disposing of plastics.

Interests: I love backpacking and outdoor activities like hiking and rock climbing. I also enjoy skiing and winter sports when presented the rare opportunity to go somewhere cold.

Mayur Bansal

PhD Student in Biochemistry (ILS)

B.S.: Biochemistry and Genetics, Texas A&M University

Email: mayursst AT utexas.edu

Research: I am working on applying synthetic biology techniques to develop more efficient strategies to produce industrially important and/or specialty chemicals.

Interests: I enjoy reading science fiction, watching movies and practicing muay thai. If I'm not at the lab you can find at Barton springs where I can regret not spending all my money on bitcoin 15 years ago.

Amelia Bergeson

PhD Student in Chemical Engineering

B.S.: Chemical Engineering, Tulane University

Email: amelia.bergeson AT austin.utexas.edu

Research: I am interested in research related to sustainability, specifically plasticdegradation, through metabolic engineering and synthetic biology techniques.

Interests: I enjoy skiing, knitting, spending time with family and friends, and trying new things.

Natalia Estrada

PhD Student in Microbiology (ILS)

B.S.: Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas at San Antonio

Email: natalia.estrada AT utexas.edu

Research: I’m interested in using synthetic biology tools for high throughput screenings and the production of speciality chemicals.

Interests: I enjoy cooking/baking, gardening, and spending time outdoors.

Lizzie Klatt

PhD Student in Chemical Engineering

B.S.: Engineering, Smith College

Email: lklatt AT utexas.edu

Research: I am interested in utilizing tools in polymer science and synthetic biology to create new, living materials with biological functionality.

Interests: I enjoy drawing, gardening, cooking/baking, video games, hanging out with my cats, and wasting my time on the internet.

Sung Gyung Lee

PhD Student in Chemical Engineering

B.S.: Chemical Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles

Email: sunggyunglee AT utexas.edu

Research: I am interested in using synthetic biology tools to produce novel natural products with industrial and medicinal applications.

Interests: I enjoy running and going to the beach, exploring new cuisines, and watching reality TV shows.

Celeste Marter

PhD Student in Chemical Engineering

B.S.: Chemical Engineering, Tulane University

Email: cnmarter AT utexas.edu

Research: I am interested in the valorization of waste resources for the production of valuable bioproducts.

Interests: I love to spend time with friends/family/pets, do puzzles, paint, play viola, go on walks, and travel.

Morgan Martinez

PhD Student in Chemical Engineering

B.S.: Chemical Engineering, University of Dayton

Email: morgan.martinez AT utexas.edu

Research: I am interested in using synthetic biology and cell metabolisms to recover and repurpose industrial waste products into useful and environmentally benign products.

Interests: I love cooking, painting, drawing, woodworking, going to concerts, and playing sports (baseball, football, tennis, ultimate frisbee). I’d be remiss to forget memes and my dog, Woodford.

Ryan O’Connor

PhD Student in Biochemistry (ILSGP)

B.S.: Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Bradley University

Email: roconnor AT utexas.edu

Research: I am interested in engineering microbes and polyketide synthases for the large scale production of novel/industrially relevant secondary metabolites.

Interests: I live for kayaking, live music, anything to do with plants, and busting out some funky tunes on my bass.

Rodney Ridley (co-advised with Dr. Lynd)

PhD Student in Chemical Engineering

B.S.: Biological Engineering and Chemistry, Geneva College

M.S.: Biological Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

Email: rodneyridey AT utexas.edu

Research: I am interested in the bioremediation and upcycling of plastics, via microbial, statistical learning, and polymer science techniques.

Interests: I enjoy lots of outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking, as well as traveling and playing piano.

Ashli Silvera

PhD Student in Chemical Engineering

B.S.: Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Email: ajsilvera AT utexas.edu

Research: I am interested in applying metabolic engineering and synthetic biology techniques to research in sustainability.

Interests: I enjoy reading and watching documentaries & reality tv shows.

Karol Nogueira, Ph.D.

Ph.D.: Biochemistry, University of São Paulo

B.S.: Biochemistry, Federal University of São João del-Rei

Email: kmvnogueira AT utexas.edu

Kadee Loyd (co-advised with Dr. Liu)

B.S.: Marine & Freshwater Science, The University of Texas at Austin

Email: kadee.loyd AT utexas.edu