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

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.

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.

Sangmin Lee

PhD Student in Biochemistry (ILS)

B.S.: Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University

M.S.: Bioengineering, Seoul National University

Email: sm.lee AT utexas.edu

Research: I am interested in integrating both metabolic engineering and synthetic biology to develop engineering living materials.

Interests: I enjoy watching movies and going on food tours.

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.

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