Rodríguez - López Laboratory
Advanced Electroanalysis for Energy Materials
 |
Dr. Joaquín Rodríguez-López Professor Department of Chemistry Materials Research Laboratory Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Roger Adams Laboratory 58, Box 33-5 Urbana IL, 61801, USA joaquinr[at]illinois.edu Office: (217)-300-7354 Lab/Student Office: (217)-300-0972 Curriculum Vitae Post-Doctoral - Cornell University Prof. Héctor D. Abruña Electrochemical characterization of single-layer graphene electrodes Ph.D - Analytical Chemistry - The University of Texas at Austin Prof. Allen J. Bard The use of SECM for the detection of adsorbed intermediates on electrodes [link] Bachelor in Science (LCQ) - Tecnológico de Monterrey Prof. Marcelo Videa Vargas Ion transfer across polarizable liquid-liquid interfaces for the detection of quaternary ammonium ions [link] |
 |
Michael Harrigan — Electronic Materials
Department of Chemistry B.Sc. in Chemistry from Purdue University, 2025 mlh10[at]illinois.edu Michael grew up in Bainbridge Island, Washington; home to pickleball, Dave Pilkey and the heaviest man in recorded history. After two years at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis as a biologist, he transferred to Purdue University where he worked for Professor Jeffrey Dick on various metal-anode battery systems, nanodroplet mediated nanoparticle synthesis, and molecularly imprinted polymers for PFAs sensing. Later, Michael also worked for Professor Justin Andrews to synthesize ZnPS3, a solid-state material capable of conducting zinc ions. At UIUC, he is a member of the JRL and Braun groups, interrogating electrochemical materials critical for energy storage applications. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with Michael Jr. (turtle), playing the banjo, and exploring Middle America. Distinctions: John C. Bailar Fellowship (2025) |
 |
Yen-Chun (Andrew) Huang — SECM for Electrocatalytic Materials
Department of Chemistry B.Sc. in Chemistry from National Taiwan University, 2024 yenchun5[at]illinois.edu Yen-Chun is from Taiwan, a beautiful island known as the origin of boba tea. He obtained his bachelor's degree from National Taiwan University. He focused on photoelectrocatalysis using semiconducting materials in his undergraduate research, under the mentorship of Dr. Chang-Ming Jiang. He is excited to expand his interest in studying electrochemical interfaces and mechanisms for electrocatalytic processes. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis, badminton, and basketball, and watching NBA games. |
 |
Catherine Ihrke — Spectroelectrochemistry and Electrosynthesis
Department of Chemistry B.Sc. in Chemistry from Southwest Minnesota State University, 2025 cihrke2[at]illinois.edu Catherine grew up in New Lenox, Illinois and received her B.Sc in chemistry from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota. During her time there, she conducted organic electrochemical research on the electrochemical pathways of thymoquinone using differential pulse and cyclic voltammetry under the mentorship of Dr. Jay Brown. Additionally, she worked in the SMSU chemistry club to put on chemistry shows on campus as well as in the surrounding communities. Alongside her work in the chemistry department, she minored in English literature while competing on the cross country and track & field teams all four years. She is excited to join the JRL lab and learn more about the intersections between analytical, organic, and electrochemistry through advanced techniques. In her free time, Catherine enjoys reading, watching movies, and running at nearby forest preserves. |
 |
Abby Miller — ML-Guided Automated Electrochemistry
Department of Chemistry B.Sc. in Chemistry from Grand Valley State University, 2025 abbym4[at]illinois.edu Abby is from Lockport, Illinois and attended Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. As an undergrad, she worked under Dr. Richard Lord and utilized computational chemistry to model heavy transition metal complexes and reproduce the structures, energies, and electrochemical potentials of wet lab experimental results to assess why these complexes undergo multi-electron transfer reactions. She is excited to research electrocatalysis through automated electrochemistry, guided by machine learning. She is also co-advised by Prof. Nick Jackson. Outside of the lab, Abby enjoys baking, video games, listening to music, and playing with her cats Rocky and Buddy. Distinctions: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2026), Robert C. and Carolyn J. Springborn Fellowship (2025), Eugene P. Bertin Fellowship (2025) |
 |
Zackary Epright — SECM for Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer Reactions
Department of Chemistry B.Sc. in Chemistry from Montclair State University, 2025 epright2[at]illinois.edu Zack is from Vernon, New Jersey, the biggest town in an otherwise very rural county. Originally intending to go to medical school to become a medical geneticist due to his family’s unique genetic disease, he started his college journey at Sussex County Community College, ultimately taking a hiatus when the COVID-19 pandemic began to serve as an emergency medical technician in Vernon for several years. In 2021, Zack returned to school at Montclair State University and began working under Prof. Glen D. O’Neil, to develop light-addressable electrochemical sensors for catecholamine detection, where he became the first undergraduate student trained on atomic force microscopy at Montclair. Now, as part of the JRL group, Zack is very excited to learn new scanning probe techniques to investigate systems in electrocatalysis. In his free time, Zack enjoys cooking, playing video games, and spending time with his cat, Zipper. Distinctions: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Honorable Mention (2026), Eugene P. Bertin Fellowship (2025) |
 |
Marita Roshael — Microdroplets
Department of Chemistry B.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Colombo, 2025 mrr16[at]illinois.edu Roshael is originally from Kandy, a historic city set in the lush central highlands of Sri Lanka, a country renowned as the pearl of the Indian Ocean. She graduated with First Class Honours after completing a four-year Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, with Prof. M. N. Kaumal as her research supervisor. During her studies, she worked on an innovative electrochemical sensor project and presented her findings at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University International Research Conference with a paper titled “Development of a Low-Cost Paper-Based Electroanalytical Device for the Detection of Caffeine.” With a strong passion for electrochemistry, Roshael is excited to advance her research in the JRL group through the DROPLETS project, focusing on electrochemical reactions and the study of different electrode materials. Outside of the lab, she enjoys music, dancing, singing, traveling, reading, and cooking. |
 |
Julia Koldobskiy — Spectroelectrochemistry of Electrocatalysts
Department of Chemistry B.Sc. in Materials Science and Engineering from Cornell University, 2023 juliak6[at]illinois.edu Julia is from Columbia, Missouri. As an undergraduate, she worked in the lab of Prof. Héctor Abruña on projects involving transition-metal based catalyst materials for hydrogen fuel cells. She is excited to join the JRL group and learn more about electrocatalysis, interfacial chemistry and advanced electrochemical techniques. In her free time, Julia enjoys reading, drawing and nature photography. |
 |
Sonam Rani — DROPLETS
Department of Chemistry B.Sc. General from Panjab University, 2022 M.Sc. in Chemistry from Indian Institute of Technology - Guwahati, 2024 sonamr2[at]illinois.edu Sonam grew up in the Land of Five Rivers (Punjab, India). She enjoys Electrochemistry and is passionate about research in renewable energy materials, hoping to contribute to a sustainable future. Motivated by her passion for research, she joined the Bio-Inspired Polymeric Materials Lab, led by Dr. Uttam Manna, during her Master’s degree at IIT Guwahati, India. She worked on various projects where she explored the physics and chemistry of interfacial wettability. Her primary research focused on the development of chemically reactive non-catalytic coating embedded with superaerophobicity for applications in the enhancement of kinetics of Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) via electrochemical water splitting. This project was published in “Advanced Functional Materials” journal. As a member of the JRL group, Sonam is thrilled to contribute to the DROPLETS project, focusing on the mechanistic understanding of this super-cool chemistry, and exploring its potential in practical applications such as clean H2 production, CO2 conversion into value-added products, and depolymerization strategies. Alongside her work on DROPLETS, she enjoys reading papers on nano-plasmonic effects and bio-inspired wettability. Beyond research, she finds fulfilment in tutoring and mentoring others, which enriches her academic experience. Outside the lab, she loves watching TV shows/movies, listening to music, cooking, experimenting with different cuisines, and spending time in nature - or on the badminton court. Distinctions: CITL Graduate Teacher Award (2026), WCC Spring Travel Award (2026), University Block Grant (2025), SCS Graduate Teaching Award (2025), List of teachers ranked as Excellent (CHEM 315 - Instrumental Chem Lab, Fall 2024), Mr. Chinoree T. and Mrs. Kimyo Enta Fellowship (2024) |
 |
Supriya (Riyo) Das — Microdroplets
Department of Chemistry B.Sc. in Chemistry from Visva-Bharati University M.Sc. in Chemistry from Indian Institute of Technology - Hyderabad supriya6[at]illinois.edu Riyo was born and grew up in the geographically diverse Rahr Plains of Eastern India, in a small village of West Bengal. He was always fascinated by chemistry and wanted to pursue innovative research in the field. That is why he spent 3 years obtaining his Bachelor's degree in chemistry from Shantiniketan, a culturally diverse and unique learning space in India established by Noble Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. After completing his B.Sc. degree, he enrolled in the M.Sc. program at IIT Hyderabad in the Pearl City of India where he worked with Prof. Ch. Subrahmanyam on the "Decomposition of Volatile Organic Compounds Using Plasma Catalysis, for which he received his publication in "Environmental Science and Pollution" journal. His master's project was with ASL-DRDO (The Defense R&D Organization of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India) for "The Determination of Aging Conditions of Prepreg Materials to Observe its Effects on the Parts Manufactured for Aerospace Applications". He conducted his summer research from IISER Kolkata on "Electrode Design for Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation" and obtained his first publication in "Frontiers in Chemistry" journal. He worked on two other research projects as an R&D Research Assistant at IIT Hyderabad after his M.Sc. In the JRL group, he is really excited to work on the DROPLETS Project to conduct electrochemical reactions in microdroplets to produce clean hydrogen, sequester CO2, and store renewable energies sustainably. Besides being a researcher, Riyo is passionate about dancing, fashion modelling, and contributing in leadership roles. In free time, he loves to cook food for his friends and enjoys listening to music. Distinctions: Park-Klemperer Inorganic-Materials Allerton Conference Best Poster Award (2025) |
 |
Gavin Hazen — Automated Electrochemistry
Department of Chemistry BA in Chemistry from Carleton College, 2023 gshazen2[at]illinois.edu Gavin grew up in Gilbert, Arizona where he developed his love for science competing in his local robotics team in high school. He then attended Carleton College where he conducted two years of research on cheap photocatalyst creation by evaporative and electrodeposition techniques in the lab of Steven Drew. Additionally, he interned at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory working in scientific communications and at a startup company where he researched novel microemulsion creation and uptake methods, resulting in multiple patent applications. Now he is excited to join the JRL lab to further expand his research knowledge in electrochemistry and instrumentation. When he is not in the lab, he enjoys listening to music, playing video games, working out, and climbing. Distinctions: NDSEG Fellow (2025), NSF Graduate Research Fellow (2025), Springborn Fellowship (2023), Bertin Fellowship (2023) |
 |
Yichen (Ethan) Li — Automated Electrochemistry for Electrocatalysis
Department of Chemistry BA in Chemistry from Carleton College, 2023 yichen37[at]illinois.edu Ethan is born and raised in Beijing, China, but has studied in New Jersey and Minnesota before coming to Illinois. At Carleton, Ethan worked with Professor Steven Drew and his labmate Gavin for two years, developing restricted evaporative deposition and electrodeposition of Fe-Cr-Al mixed metal oxide semiconductor thin films, characterizing them with 2D photocurrent scanning, SEM and EDS, and studying them as potential materials for water-splitting hydrogen production. Ethan is excited to further his studies in electrocatalysis and electrodeposition with applications in addressing sustainability and renewable energy issues using the automated systems in the JRL lab. In his free time, Ethan enjoys playing and watching soccer, listening to all genres of music, singing in choirs, and arranging for and beatboxing in acapella groups. Distinctions: Buhrke State Match (2025), Arthur W. Sloan Prize (2025), Janet M. Burkhe and Victor E. Burkhe Fellowship in Physical Chemistry (2024), Mr. Chinoree T. and Mrs. Kimyo Enta Fellowship (2023) |
 |
Aditi Prasad — Raman-SECM and Spectroelectrochemistry
Department of Chemistry B.Sc. in Chemistry from University of Mumbai, 2021 M.Sc. in Analytical Chemistry from University of Mumbai, 2023 aditirp2[at]illinois.edu Aditi is from Mumbai, a culturally diverse city on the western coast of India. She obtained her bachelor's and master's degrees from University of Mumbai. During her master's, she worked with Prof. Rajesh Kamble to develop transition metal based nanocomposites for supercapacitive applications. During the summer of 2022, she did a research internship at Indian Institute of Technology, Madras where she worked with Prof. Kartik Chandra Mondal on synthesis of cyclic alkyl amino carbenes (cAAC) for the development of cAAC stabilized transition metal complexes. In JRL group, she is excited to explore the fundamental domains of interfacial electrochemistry and gain expertise in advanced electrochemical techniques. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, watching crime shows, cooking, and exploring different cuisines Distinctions: Buhrke Fellowship (2025), Pytosh Fellowship (2024), SEAC Best Poster Award - Pittcon (2026) |
 |
Armando Santiago Carboney — Electrocatalysis
Department of Chemistry BS in Chemistry and Nanotechnology Engineering from Tecnologico de Monterrey (ITSEM), 2021 as128[at]illinois.edu Armando was born in Puebla, Mexico, but raised in Monterrey, Mexico. He attended the honors program at Tecnológico de Monterrey for his undergrad. During his freshman year he joined Dr. Marcelo Videa's Lab, where he used electrochemical analysis to alter the morphology of nickel deposits on gold electrodes for the electrooxidation of methanol in alkaline media. During the spring semester of 2020 he attended an internship at Bosch Advanced Research Center in Renningen, Germany. There, Armando characterized cathode and electrolyte materials for their use in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The use of electrochemical techniques to develop better energy sources motivated him to pursue a chemistry PhD degree. He is excited to join the JRL lab because it represents an excellent opportunity to explore the boundaries of electrochemistry with the possibility of having a positive environmental impact. When Armando's not in the lab, he likes listening to music and dancing, eating, cooking, and playing video games. Distinctions: Zumdahl Teaching Award (2024), Lebus Graduate Scholar Award (2023), Bertin Fellowship (2022), Illinois Chemistry Fellowship (2022) |
 |
Dong Ok Kim — Electrochemistry of Battery Interfaces
Department of Chemistry BS in Chemistry from Swarthmore College, 2022 dok2[at]illinois.edu Dong Ok is from Seoul, South Korea. She came to the US to attend Swarthmore College, a liberal arts college right outside of Philadelphia. She completed her Bachelor's degree in Chemistry in Swarthmore College. During her junior year, she went back to South Korea due to Covid-19 pandemic and conducted her research in electrochemistry while taking some time off from college. She worked with Prof.Jongwoo Lim in Seoul National University on optimizing electrolytes for Lithium metal batteries. During her research in South Korea, she realized her passion in research in energy storage materials and electrochemistry. She is excited to join the Rodríguez-López group and continue research on electrochemistry of various electrode materials. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, reading books and cooking. Distinctions: Dr. Sandra Murawski Award for Mentoring Excellence (2025), NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Honorable Mention (2024), R.C. Fuson Fellowship (2023) |
 |
Kristin Martin — Reversible Electrochemical Interactions
Department of Chemistry BS in Chemistry from Albany State University, 2021 km53[at]illinois.edu Kristin was born and raised right outside of the city of Atlanta, in Rockdale County, GA. She attended an HBCU(Historically Black College/University) with intent to go to medical school to become a forensic pathologist. However, during her freshman year, she took a strong liking to her chemistry courses that focused heavily on analytical techniques & background. She soon shifted her focus to chemistry and research. During her undergraduate studies, Kristin worked with the USDA in 2018, earned her first publication from the Georgia Communication Association(2018), and participated in research under Dr. John L. Williams regarding Myocardial Structural Markers. Within the Rodríguez-López group, she is excited to continue researching CO2 Capture & Release methodologies that explore environmentally sustainable efforts through electrochemical interfaces. And in her free time, she enjoys hiking, theme parks, building Harry Potter Lego sets, cooking Creole & Cajun meals to honor her parent's heritage & traveling. Distinctions: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2024), 3M Fellowship (2023), NIH/CBI Training Grant (2023), Ullyot State Match (2023), Juanita Darrah Perel Fellowship (2023), John C. Bailar, Jr. Fellowship (2022), 3M Fellowship (2022), Alfred P. Sloan Fellow (2022) |
 |
Peisen Qian — Electrochemical Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer Kinetics and Dynamics
Department of Chemistry BS in Chemistry from University of Science and Technology of China, 2022 peisenq2[at]illinois.edu Peisen comes from Fuzhou, a small city famous for two historic celebrities, Anshi Wang and Gong Zeng, who are two of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song. His undergraduate project focused on inorganic-organic hybrid perovskite degradation mechanisms. He looks forward to expanding his interest in revealing the nature of interfacial chemical processes in the JRL lab. He is also co-advised by Prof. Vura-Weis. He enjoys Go (a strategy board game) and playing the flute during his free time. For more details, see here. Distinctions: International Chemists Association (ICA) president (2024-2026), Drickamer Fellowship (2025), John and Margaret Witt Fellowship (2024), SCS Graduate Student Teaching Award (2024), St. Elmo Brady Symposium Poster Competition First Place (2024), Park-Klemperer IMAC Best Poster Award (2023), Kenneth L. Rinehart Fellowship (2023) |
 |
Micah Robinson — Volatile Analysis via Electrocatalyst Devices
Department of Chemistry BS in Chemistry from Tougaloo College, 2022 micahar2[at]illinois.edu Micah was born and raised in hard times Mississippi surrounded by things that just weren't so pretty. Well motivated, her pursuit for education began young. As an undergrad, Micah worked under Prof. George Armstrong, synthesizing a novel potential prostate cancer drug and performing cytotoxicity analyses. While characterizing the drug, proposing various experiments, and maintaining the lab's NMR and IR instruments, she developed an interest in protocol design and analytical instruments. As a Jackson Heart Study scholar and a Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation scholar, Micah was trained to incorporate activism and transparency with science. Now at UIUC, she is an excited member of the JRL group looking forward to developing sensors towards serviceable science. In her free time, she reads up on environmental topics, listens to music from 70s to now, and watches horror movies. Distinctions: President of NOBCCHE at Illinois (2024), GEM Fellow (2022), 3M Fellowship (2022), Alfred P. Sloan Fellow (2022), John C. Bailar Fellowship (2022), UIUC Graduate College Fellowship (2022), St. Elmo Brady Scholar (2020) |
 |
Zirui Wang — Automated Electrochemistry for Energy Storage Systems Department of Materials Science and Engineering BS in Material Science and Engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2022 ziruiw2[at]illinois.edu Zirui is from Shenyang, a city in Northeastern China. The heavy industry in his hometown led him to an interest in materials science and metallurgy. During his undergraduate studies, he realized the necessity for sustainable energy storage systems and gradually shifted his interest to electrochemistry. He also took semiconductor classes which gained him micro-fabrication experiences. He loves his current project in Prof. Rodríguez-López's group as it combines his interests and experiences in microfabrication, automation, and electrochemistry. He worked with Prof. Yingjie Zhang as an undergradaute researcher on a project about machine learning-assisted nanoscale surface profiling using scanning probe microscopy. Zirui is a Liverpool FC supporter, and he likes to play soccer, ski, browse for random indie rock bands, and one-on-one meetings with his furry collaborator, Han Bao (汉堡). Distinctions: Beckman Institute Graduate Research Fellowship (2025), List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent (MSE 307, Materials Laboratory I, Fall 2024), Best Poster - AVS Prairie Symposium (2024), Robert Bohl Scholarship (2021), Henry E. Grein Jr. Scholarship (2020) |
 |
Seth Putnam — Spectroelectrochemistry and SECM of Transient Species
Department of Chemistry BS in Chemistry from Montana State University, 2021 sethtp2[at]illinois.edu Seth grew up in the mountainous region of western Montana. He developed a passion for science competing in Science Bowl and Science Olympiad in high school before attending Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. As an undergraduate, Seth began his research career studying the thermodynamics of adsorption and hydrogen storage on porous carbon materials in the lab of Prof. Nicholas Stadie. He looks forward to expanding his interest in surfaces and interfaces to electrochemical systems in the Rodríguez-López lab. Outside of the lab, Seth likes to hunt, fish, read, brew, and learn about organic chemistry from his wife, Jamie. Distinctions: Walter Klemperer Award for Outstanding Thesis in Materials Chemistry (2026), DCGSAC Chair (2025), NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2023), Park-Klemperer IMAC Best Poster Award (2023), C.S. Marvel Fellowship (2022), John C. Bailar, Jr. Fellowship (2021) |
 |
Mo Xu — Automated Electrochemistry for Energy Storage
Department of Materials Science and Engineering B.Sc. in Macromolecular Materials and Engineering from Zhejiang University, 2025 moxu2[at]illinois.edu Mo was born in Hangzhou, China—famed for West Lake and a vibrant tech/innovation scene in the Yangtze River Delta. Motivated by a long-standing love for organic chemistry, Mo majored in polymers and worked with Prof. Alex K. Y. Jen and Dr. Lijian Zuo to synthesize self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) for high-efficiency photovoltaics during undergraduate studies. Mo is excited to join the JRL lab and explore projects that unite organic synthesis, laboratory automation, and machine learning to accelerate discovery in electrochemistry and energy materials. Outside the lab, Mo enjoys cycling, listening to music, and playing video games—and is a devoted Manchester United supporter. |
 |
Jazz Narula — Redox-Active Emulsions Formulation
Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Class of 2028. jnarula2[at]illinois.edu Jazz grew up in Ahmedabad, India and first cultivated an interest in chemistry in middle school when first learning about the the smallest divisions of matter. Since her teachers helped this interest grow, she began to find a passion for chemical engineering. Through an internship at a fertiliser production company during high school, her interests now lie in wet lab work and R&D for studies applicable for industrial purposes. She is currently working with Armando Santiago, her mentor, to develop microemulsions as electrolytes for large-scale energy storage. She is excited to understand more about phase separations and surfactant analysis through the lens of electrochemistry at JRL. In her free time, Jazz loves creating beaded jewellery, listening to music and sitting on the quad to watch the sunset. |
 |
Kwangui Chung — Automated Electrochemistry
Department of Chemistry, Class of 2029. kwangui2[at]illinois.edu Kwangui is from Seoul, South Korea. As a freshman at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, he is excited to join the Rodríguez-López lab and explore automated electrochemistry. He is interested in developing platforms for high-throughput discovery and optimization of catalysts for energy applications. Outside of the lab, he swims for the Illini Swim Club. |
 |
Collin Reutimann — Generation/Collection of Radicals
Department of Chemistry, Class of 2028. collinr2[at]illinois.edu Collin is from North Aurora Il, one of many Chicago-Area suburbs. His interest in chemistry sparked in high school thanks to his great teacher, and he decided to pursue a major in chemistry at the University of Illinois. Collin is looking forward to all the unique opportunities that come along with working in a research lab, as well as to learning about all the cool things that can be accomplished with electrochemistry. In his free time he enjoys running, building LEGO sets, and listening to music. Distinctions: George E. Inglett Scholarship (2025) |
 |
Rakshitvashista (Rocky) Gentyala — Automated Electrochemistry for Energy Storage Systems
Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Class of 2027. rgent2[at]illinois.edu Rocky grew up in Aurora, Illinois. Driven by the curiosity to design, he pursued Mechanical Engineering to bridge the gap between theory and application. WWith a strong foundation in battery research developed at Argonne National Laboratory and the Nanopores Lab at UIC, Rocky brings a mechanical engineering perspective to electrochemical systems. He is currently working on automating electrochemistry experiments by programming microcontrollers and developing Python scripts for data collection. Rocky also uses his CAD and simulation skills to design enclosures for microfabricated devices and perform finite-element analysis. He is excited to continue exploring the intersection of mechanical design and experimental electrochemisty. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, self-motivated design projects, and reading. |
 |
Luyao (Lynn) Zhao — Automated Electrochemistry for Electrodeposition
Department of Chemistry, Class of 2028. luyaoz4[at]illinois.edu Grown and raised in Shenzhen, an urban city in southeastern China, Lynn carried a quiet yearning of nature since early age. She developed a deep interest in chemistry since Science Olympiad before coming to college and lab working experience in company R&D department in high school. She is currently working with her mentor Zirui on electrodeposition and polymerization of flow batteries electrode. Lynn loves the group environment and excited to spend her future undergrad years exploring electrochemistry in JRL lab. In her free time, Lynn enjoys gardening, reading, working out and outdoor activities. Distinctions: George E. Inglett Scholarship (2025) |
 |
Zican (Belinda) Lin — Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy
Department of Chemistry, Class of 2028. zicanl2[at]illinois.edu Belinda is from Xiamen, a coastal city in China famous for tourism. She developed a strong interest in chemistry when she first learned about redox reaction in high school. Within the JRL Lab, she is excited to explore her interest in electrochemical reaction through instrumental analysis. She is now working with Peisen. In her free time, she enjoys ballet, cooking and listening to music. |
 |
Ethan Gilhuly — Microdroplets
Department of Chemistry, Class of 2026. gilhuly2[at]illinois.edu Ethan is excited to expand his interests in sustainability, material sciences, and chemistry in the world of electrochemistry and microdroplets in the JRL lab. He conducted research previously in the Kriven research department working on solid loading and dispersant formulations for oxidatively resistant coatings. During the summer, he worked in the bioproducts R&D analytical division at Eli Lilly working on the simplification of a characterization technique for monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Before that he worked as an R&D intern at Rust-Oleum working on a more cost effective and simplified industrial roof coating reformulation. Outside of the lab he is a part of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, helps as an orientation leader for the Department of New Student and Family Experiences, and loves to play board games. Distinctions: Richard J. Russell Award (2024), Stewart Howe + Philip Schoch Scholars Award (2024+2025), President’s Award Program Honors Scholar (2022-2026) |
 |
Alex Ziminski — Microdroplets for CO2RR
Department of Chemistry, Class of 2028. alexz11[at]illinois.edu Alex is from the suburbs of Chicago, where he was born and raised. He is attending the University of Illinois to pursue a career in chemical and biomolecular engineering, and he is currently in his second year. He joined the JRL lab to explore the fascinating field of microdroplet chemistry. He is working with Riyo to explore the remediation of greenhouse gases like CO2 to transform into value-added small molecules utilizing the emulsive microdroplet system. He is also interested into scaling-up the system with further collaborations for large scale CO2 reduction. Outside of the lab, he enjoys weightlifting, cycling, playing guitar, and skating. |
 |
Lexi Facchini — Microdroplets for Sulfur Remediation
Department of Chemistry, Class of 2026. amf9[at]illinois.edu Lexi was born and raised on the Northside of Chicago, Illinois, where her passion for chemistry was first inspired by her AP Chemistry teacher. At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, she chose to pursue this interest by majoring in Chemistry. Now in her fourth year, Lexi has explored her diverse interests through leadership and involvement as Membership Director of the Cosmetic Chemistry Club, as well as participation in the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, the Fashion Network, the Italian Club, and the Illinois Leadership Center. She is currently gaining research experience in the JRL lab with Riyo where she is dedicated to find potential solutions for elemental sulfur remediation, produced in millions of tons per annum, through sonicated emulsive water microdroplets. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, she enjoys running, painting, traveling, and listening to music. Distinctions: J.J. Lagowski Scholarship in Chemistry, Membership Director of the Cosmetic Chemistry Club |
 |
Matthew Maranowski — Measuring Interfacial Conditions
Department of Chemistry, Class of 2027. msm14[at]illinois.edu Matthew was born and raised in San Jose, California. He developed an interest in chemistry from doing labs in his high school chemistry classes. As he grew up, he noticed how chemistry could be used to solve the planet's pressing issues, such as climate change. He is very excited to be in the JRL Lab working on electrochemically mediated carbon dioxide capture. Outside of the lab, Matthew participates in the LAS Global Leader’s Program (GLP), Alpha Phi Omega (APO), and SCI-STEMA (formerly LSAMP). In his free time, he enjoys spending time in nature and on the beach, hanging out with friends, and cooking elaborate Sunday dinners. |
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
 |
 |