Group Members
Last updated October 25, 2023.
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS
Dr. Safa Alzaim
PhD Chemical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology; M.S. Materials Science for Sustainable Energy, Masdar Institute of Technology; M.S. Applied Physics, University of Massachusetts; M.A. English Literature, University of Massachusetts; B.S. Applied Physics & English Literature, University of Massachusetts
Research Interests:
“I am excited by computational modeling for nanoscience and nanotechnology applications. I have constructed models of photonic waveguides, tuned the bandgap of solar harvesting devices, and predicted catalysts for batteries. I am fascinated by atomistic modeling as a way to understand the universe as well as a way to design materials.”
Hobbies:
Comedy, hiking, gardening.
Dr. Vallabh Vasudevan
PhD Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University; M.Eng. Chemical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University; B.Tech. Chemical Engineering,
National Institute of Technology
Research Interests:
“I am interested in the application of computational techniques towards identifying and understanding key interactions that drive materials chemistry. I have worked on application of atomistic modeling towards biomass conversion and magnesium electrochemistry. I am excited by the unique window provided by computational techniques into physical and chemical interactions around us.”
Hobbies:
Reading, quizzing, taking a walk, watching movies and watching sports, mostly football (aka soccer in the US) and cricket.
Graduate Students
Yanjun Lyu
3rd Year PhD Student, MSE
B.Eng. Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology; M.S. Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan
Research Interests:
“I am interested in application-oriented material microstructural design and the discovery of new materials. I have a passion for applying computational methods and tools for the enlightenment of advanced materials discovery and design.”
Hobbies:
Traveling, cooking, playing piano, appreciating performance cars.
Melody Zhang
2nd year PhD Student, CHE
B.S. Chemical Engineering, Purdue University
Research Interests:
“I am interested in understanding the scientific principles of particle systems and using computational methods to introduce breakthroughs in material design. I am excited to use machine learning and atomistic simulation to accelerate this progress.”
Hobbies:
Biking, hiking, baking & decorating cakes, reading, listening to pop music, watching forensic movies/tv shows.
Sayed Ahmad Almohri
2nd year PhD Student, CHE
B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan; M.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan
Research Interests:
“I want to explore the boundaries of science through novel technologies and scientific computing methods. I am interested in particle and atomistic simulations, multiscale modeling, and complex systems.”
Hobbies:
Cooking, playing and watching football (aka soccer in the US), and sometimes watching squirrels.
Benjamin Laubach
1st year PhD student, ChE
B.S. Chemical Engineering, Michigan State University
Research Interests:
“I am interested in applying machine learning techniques to atomistic modeling with the goal of aiding in the discovery of new materials.”
Hobbies:
Basketball, card games, spending time with friends and family, college sports, true crime podcasts
Thomas Sundberg
1st year PhD student, ChE
B.S. Chemical Engineering, Kansas State University
Research Interests:
“I am interested in the discovery of new materials as well as the development of the processes used to make them. I look forward to doing this by applying machine learning and simulation techniques.”
Hobbies:
Cooking, Coffee Shops, and Listening to music
Awwal Oladipupo
1st year PhD student, ChE
B.S Petroleum and Gas Engineering, University of Lagos
Research Interests:
“I am interested in leveraging computational techniques, such as machine learning, atomistic simulations, multiscale modeling, and software engineering, to accelerate the discovery and design of novel materials. I aim to harness these techniques’ power to gain a deep, atomistically-resolved understanding of intricate phenomena.”
Hobbies:
Listening to Music, Cooking, watching sci-fi movies, reading and coding
Pratyush Dhal
1st year PhD student, ChE
B.Tech in Chemical Engineering, NIT, Warangal, India
Research Interests:
“I am interested in developing new models that aid in material discovery and characterization by applying the power of Machine Learning and AI to Molecular Simulations.”
Hobbies:
Piano, Quizzing, Poetry, Philosophy, Cooking, Vlogs
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Chi Izuegbunam
3rd Year Undergraduate Student, CHE
Research Interests:
“I’m interested in the optimization of existing chemical processes to create more efficient and sustainable methods. I want to explore the use of computational methods to develop enhanced materials and techniques for process design.”
Hobbies:
Listening to music, crocheting, knitting, reading, doing word searches, watching How It’s Made and bad rom coms.
Anakin Bahm
4th Year Undergraduate Student, CHE
Research Interests:
“I’m interested in how simulation can lead to the discovery of new materials and optimization of current processes. I would like to explore modeling chemical reactivities to be able to predict material systems on larger/more complex scales.“
Hobbies:
Playing/watching Basketball, biking, chess
Interns and visiting researchers
Drew Novak
4th Year Undergraduate Student, CSE and Material Science Engineering
Research Interests:
“I am interested in assisting in the creation and optimization of simulation software to enable efficient research into new materials or new methods for creating materials.”
Hobbies:
Basketball, video games, the occasional round of golf, board games, watching NFL and college football
Group Alumni