Members

Graduate Student Researchers

Libby Brungardt (brungardt@wisc.edu)

PhD Student 

B. S. Chemical Engineering (2021), University of Kansas

Project: Mechanisms of Nitrous Oxide Pollution Abatement over Metal-Zeolite Catalysts

My graduate work studies the selective catalytic reduction of N2O and NOx for pollution abatement using metal ion-exchanged zeolites. We aim to understand redox pathways and the role of catalyst structure. In undergrad, I worked for 3.5 years in the lab of Kevin Leonard on electrocatalysts and electrochemistry. In my free time, I like to paint, sew, watch YouTube videos, and go on hikes.

Awards: UW-Madison PPG Fellowship, Ragatz TA Award

 

Deepak Sonawat (sonawat@wisc.edu)

PhD Student

B. Tech. + M. Tech. Chemical Engineering (2021), Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IITD)

Project: Active Site Dynamics in Selective Oxidation Catalysis

My research investigates selective oxidations using metal-zeolite catalysts, including the effects of both catalyst structure and reaction environments. Previously, my research experience at IITD was in the field of purification of biotherapeutic proteins with Prof. Anurag S. Rathore. My master’s thesis involved working on developing an algorithm for processing images of monoclonal antibody aggregates under various stresses. I went to Washington University in St. Louis in the summer of 2019 for research internship, where I worked on Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries with Prof. Vijay Ramani. In my free time, I like to listen to music and watch movies.

Awards: UW-Madison BSL Fellowship; Silver Medal for securing Department Rank 1 at IITD.

Sara Ahsan (sahsan3@wisc.edu)

PhD Student

B.S. (Hons.) Chemical Engineering (2014), University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore (Pakistan)

MSc. Civil/Environmental Engineering (2021), Florida Atlantic University

Project: Controlling Reactivity through Nanoparticle Encapsulation

My graduate research aims to encapsulate metal nanoparticles within zeolites and investigate impacts on catalyst stability and reactivity. Previously, I worked as a process engineer for ~7 years at Engro Fertilizers Pakistan, and Vantage Specialty Chemicals, Illinois. My master’s thesis focused on the capture of CO2 from enclosed environments, including space applications, using different adsorbents such as zeolite-5A and amine-modified silica. I have received several awards including the 1st place award for my master’s thesis from the Air and Waste Management Association. In my free time, I love being outdoors and traveling to different places.

Matt Edgar (mdedgar@wisc.edu)

PhD Student 

B.S. Chemical Engineering (2022), University of Kentucky

Project: Hydrogen Storage in Liquid Carriers

My project focuses on catalysis for hydrogen storage in liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs). During undergrad, I did co-ops/internships with Marathon Petroleum Corporation and Beam Suntory. After joining Prof. Jonathan Pham’s soft materials and interfaces lab at the University of Kentucky, I shifted my attention to research and later developed an interest in sustainable fuels/energy. When not in the middle of coursework/research, I enjoy photography, disc golf, and playing music.

Awards: Ragatz TA Award (2x)

 

Shawn Stephens (sstephens8@wisc.edu)

PhD Student 

B.S. Chemical Engineering (2023), West Virginia University

Project: Biomass Conversion to High-value chemicals

Before coming to UW-Madison, I completed a Co-Op with Optima Chemical and internships with MATRIC & AVN Corp where I got exposed to various forms of industrial research. I later joined Dr. Oishi Sanyal’s Molecular Transport and Separations lab at WVU which got me very interested in sustainable and green chemistry. When I have free time, I like to bake, read books and ski.

Awards: Ragatz TA Award

Toyin Daniel Shittu (tshittu@wisc.edu)

PhD Student 

B.TECH. (Hons.) Chemical Engineering (2014), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nigeria

MSc. Chemical Engineering (2018), Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria

Project: Catalysis for Sustainable Aviation Fuels

My undergraduate research was on bioremediation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and my graduate research was based on the synthesis, characterization, and application of biomass-based adsorbent for crude oil remediation. I have worked as a research assistant at both Obafemi Awolowo University and the United Arab Emirates University where I investigated hydrogenation reaction using heterogeneous catalysts. In my free time, I enjoy playing table tennis and reading books on history.

Shriya Sharma (shriya.sharma@wisc.edu)

PhD Student (co-advised w/George W. Huber)

B.Tech & M.Tech Chemical Engineering (2024), Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD)

Project: Production of high-value sugars from dairy waste

My graduate project intends to identify reaction routes for producing valuable sugars such as tagatose from lactose derived from acid whey waste, as well as scale up the technology to the pilot plant level. For my master’s thesis, I focused on machine learning modeling and experimental investigation of heterogeneous catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation to formic acid. During research internships at Rice University and Queen’s University, I also worked on electrocatalytic CO2 conversion to formic acid and CO respectively. In my free time, I like read books, listen to music and cook!

Awards: Institute Silver Medal for department rank 1 at IITD

Undergraduate Student Researchers

Grace Zhang (gzhang249@wisc.edu)

Undergraduate Student

B.S. Chemical Engineering (expected 2027)

Project:Hydrogen Storage in Liquid Carriers

I’m excited to start my first research experience in the Krishna Group. So far at UW-Madison, I was in the WISE learning community and my group’s INTEREGR 170 project focused on developing an occupancy tracking system. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis and music.

Paige Bakkestuen (pbakkestuen@wisc.edu)

Undergraduate Student

B.S. Chemical Engineering (expected 2025)

Project: Mechanisms of Nitrous Oxide Pollution Abatement over Metal-Zeolite Catalysts

I am currently a Chemistry Tutor for University Housing, where I tutor general and organic chemistry. I also work at the Chazen Cafe for the Wisconsin Union. My engineering experience includes an internship at Aquatech, where I studied and optimized testing for a lithium conversion reaction. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, reading, and listening to music.

Sirinada Chanthachaiwat (chanthachaiw@wisc.edu)

Undergraduate Student 

B.S. Chemical Engineering (expected 2025)

Project: Controlling Reactivity through Nanoparticle Encapsulation

I have previously worked in the Pfleger Lab as an undergraduate researcher doing metabolic engineering projects in E.coli which included gene editing and plasmid synthesis. I also work as a Wisconsin Late Night Coordinator and a Kitchen Team Member in the Wisconsin Union. In my free time, I like to read, listen to music, and browse Youtube and Reddit.

Patrick Granowski (pgranowski@wisc.edu)

Undergraduate Student 

B.S. Chemical Engineering (expected 2025)

Project:Active Site Dynamics in Selective Oxidation Catalysis

I am currently an active member of Alpha Chi Sigma, the chemistry fraternity at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. For the past 1.5 years, I have directed the fraternity’s tutoring service. In my free time, I enjoy playing the drums, playing card games, and skiing.

Group Alumni

Mitchell Schroeder (maschroeder5@wisc.edu)

Undergraduate Researcher (1/22- 5/23)

B.S. Chemical Engineering, UW-Madison (2023)

Project: Hydrogenation of Biomass to High-value Chemicals

Current Position: Alfa Laval

 

Shiyu Liu (sliu626@wisc.edu)

Undergraduate Researcher (9/22-5/23)

B.S. Chemical Engineering, UW-Madison (2023)

Project:Controlling Reactivity through Nanoparticle Encapsulation

Current Position: Pyran, Inc.

 

Eva Wolfe (elw223@lehigh.edu)

Summer 2022 REU Student

B.S. Chemical Engineering, Lehigh University (2023)

Project: Stereoselective Hydrogenation of Biomass to High-value Chemicals

Current Position: Graduate Student, University of Minnesota Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

 

Andrew Nasr (anasr@wisc.edu)

Undergraduate Researcher (1/22-5/23)

B.S. Chemical Engineering (expected 2024)

Project: Active Site Dynamics in Selective Oxidation Catalysis

My experience here at the University of Wisconsin-Madison includes being a part of the battery team for both Wisconsin Sustainable Vehicle Club (WSV) and Formula SAE. Within WSV, I take part in battery cell selection, cell testing, and battery pack assembly for the vehicle. Within Formula SAE, I help design various parts for the accumulator through CAD design. In my free time, I enjoy working out and playing sports, billiards, and chess.

Tara DuBridge (dubridge@wisc.edu)

Summer 2023 REU Student 

B.S. Chemical Engineering, UC-Berkeley (expected 2024)

Project: Selective Heterogeneous Oxidations for Renewable Chemicals

 

 

 

Paola M. Urbina Ramos (urbinaramos@wisc.edu )

Summer 2023 REU Student 

B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez (expected 2025)

Project: Controlling Reactivity in Biomass Conversion through Nanoparticle Encapsulation

 

 

 

 

 

Rishav Chand (chand3@wisc.edu)

Visiting Scholar at UW-Madison, 9/23-12/23

PhD Student in Chemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

B.Tech. Chemical Engineering (2016), National Institute of Technology, Rourkela (NIT-RKL)

M.Sc. Chemical Engineering (2020), University of Saskatchewan

Project: Catalytic removal of nitrogen oxides from ship flue gas using ammonia as fuel

 

Vaishnav Sunkireddy (sunkireddy@wisc.edu)

Undergraduate Student 

B.S. Chemical Engineering (expected 2025)

Project: Mechanisms of Greenhouse Gas Pollution Abatement over Metal-Zeolite Catalysts

 

 

 

Ryan Lauer (rtlauer@wisc.edu)

Undergraduate Student 

B.S. Chemical Engineering (2024)

Project: Hydrogen Storage in Liquid Carriers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alec Seco (aseco@wisc.edu) 

Summer 2024 RET 

B.S. Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering (2015), Georgia Tech
M.S. Curriculum & Instruction (2022), University of Wisconsin-Madison

Project: Research Experience for Teachers 2024

 

 

 

Genevieve Ansay (gansay@wisc.edu) 

Summer 2024 REU Student 

B.S. Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago (expected Spring 2025)

Project: Hydrogen Storage in Liquid Carriers