Fu-Sheng Wang - Post-doc
Fu-Sheng was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan. Being interested in biosensing, he attended National Chiao Tung University in Hsinchu, Taiwan, where he majored in biotechnology and minored in electronic engineering. As a master student, he continued studying biosensing by joining Dr. Tung-Kung Wu’s lab at National Chiao Tung University. Soon after, he sought to broaden his horizon by pursuing a Ph.D degree in chemistry under the supervision of Dr. Chi-How Peng. His research focused on the mechanism of controlled radical polymerization. After graduating, he spent two more years in Dr. Peng’s lab, focusing on using kinetic and thermodynamic simulations to study controlled radical polymerization. Then, he decided to head to the US and join the Zhukhovitskiy group as a postdoctoral researcher. Currently, his research interests lie in the development and the simulation of new polymer materials. When not in lab, he likes reading, cooking, and making cocktails.
Li Ji - Post-doc
Li Ji was born and raised in Anhui province, China. In 2016, she attended Fuzhou University and obtained her master’s degree in Chemistry under the supervisor of Prof. Saihu Liao and Y. Tang—during this time, her research focused on polymer chemistry and organometallic chemistry. After finishing her studies at Fuzhou, she decided to join Prof. Y. Tang group at SUSTech (Southern University of Science and Technology) to pursue her PhD in Chemistry. Most of her PhD studies focused on the synthesis of titanium and chromium catalysts and their use to prepare highly branched polyolefins and polar polyolefin elastomers. Upon completion of her doctorate, Li moved to UNC Chapel Hill and joined the Zhukhovitskiy group to pursue her academic interests in polymer science. When not in the lab, she likes playing badminton.
Ben Kruse - 6th year
Ben was born and raised in West Des Moines, Iowa. He attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where he majored in chemistry and minored in biology. As an undergraduate, Ben worked with Dr. Stephen Gross conducting research on the development of new dental materials. Upon perfecting his smile, he decided to attend graduate school to learn more about polymers. When not in lab, Ben enjoys appearing on House Hunters: International (shown) and brewing his own beer (result shown).
Hilary Fokwa - 5th year
Hilary was born and raised in Cameroon but moved to Northern Virginia in middle school. She attended the University of Richmond where she earned a B.S. in chemistry with a minor in religious studies. During her time at Richmond, she worked on the design and synthesis of unsymmetrical bis(phosphino)pyrrole ligands for nickel catalysis under the supervision of Dr. Miles Johnson. She also worked with the Manoury Lab at the CNRS-LCC in Toulouse, France, on the synthesis and analysis of ferrocene derivatives for polymerization. She is a student in the inorganic division here at Chapel Hill pursuing her passion for organometallic chemistry in the Zhukhovitskiy group. Besides chemistry, Hilary enjoys being in nature, dancing to Afrobeat, singing off-key, and traveling.
Erin Krist - 5th year
Erin was born and raised in Yorktown, Virginia. She attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA, where she obtained her B.S. in chemistry. She spent most of her undergraduate career synthesizing inorganic coordination compounds with Dr. Barbara Reisner with a couple of brief forays into materials chemistry by attempting to recycle carbon fiber composites at NASA with Dr. Scott Zavada. After graduating, she decided to head (slightly) south to North Carolina where she joined the Zhukhovitskiy group. When not in lab she enjoys doing cool chemistry demos, reading, crafting, horseback riding, and taking long walks with her dog Erlenmeyer (Earl).
Sam Kaplan - 4th year
Sam grew up in East Quogue, New York. He attended Case Western Reserve University where he graduated with a B.S. and M.S. in Macromolecular Science and Engineering. During his time at CWRU, he worked under Dr. Valentin Rodionov, working on brush-assisted assembly of silica nanoparticles and electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction. Outside of the lab Sam enjoys scuba diving, fly fishing, and playing rugby.
Sydney Towell - 4th year
Sydney was born in New Jersey but raised in West Chester, PA. She then moved across the country to obtain her B.S. from Harvey Mudd College. While studying there she worked under Professor Adam Johnson doing various projects related to organometallic catalysis. Now she has come to UNC to pursue her interests at the intersection of polymer and inorganic chemistry. In her free time, she enjoys playing trombone, biking, and doing jigsaw puzzles.
Leah Kosovsky - 3rd year
Leah grew up in Northborough, Massachusetts, and stayed in New England to attend Connecticut College. She majored in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology (BCMB) with a minor in Environmental Studies and a certificate in sustainability from the Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment (GNCE). As a NOAA Hollings Scholar, she conducted research with Dr. Ashok Deshpande on the chemical characterization of microplastic polymers. Under the supervision of Professor Marc Zimmer, she continued this research in the chemistry department at Connecticut College. After venturing south to UNC for graduate school, she joined the Zhukhovitskiy group to pursue her interest in polymer chemistry. Outside of the lab, she enjoys photography and spending time outdoors with her dog, friends, and family.
Lauren Cooke - 3rd year
Lauren was born and raised in Grand Blanc, Michigan, where there are more hot dog stands than sunny days. Her family moved to Clayton, North Carolina when she was in middle school. She earned her B.S. in chemistry with highest honors from UNC Chapel Hill while working with Dr. Michel Gagné on the development of platinum complexes with iodonium-type reactivity. After deciding she couldn’t move back to Michigan, hot dogs and all, she decided to pursue her graduate education at UNC Chapel Hill in the Zhukhovitskiy group. Outside of the lab, Lauren enjoys reading old-timey books, sewing quilts, and befriending older women to acquire new soup recipes.
Mark Jareczek - 2nd year
Mark was born and raised in La Grange, Illinois, though will just tell you he’s from Chicago, despite being a 20-minute drive from the city. He attended Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) where he earned a bachelor’s in chemistry with a secondary major in educational studies. At WashU, under the advisement of Dr. Jonathan Barnes, he synthesized mechanically interlocked macrocycles (catenanes) for employment as crosslinkers in polymer systems. Mark also worked in chemical education, looking at the development of inclusive practice within chemistry peer-leaders under the supervision of Dr. Gina Frey. After graduating, he left the Midwest in favor of mild winters and exciting work at UNC in the Zhukhovitskiy group. Outside of chemistry, Mark enjoys hiking, Pokémon, and, uniquely, spending quality time with friends and family.
Sayan Chattopadhyay - 1st year
Sayan was born and raised in India. He attended the Indian Institute of Science Education and Resesrach (IISER) Kolkata where he earned a BS-MS dual degree in chemistry. During his time at IISER Kolkata, he worked on the design and synthesis of sulfur dioxide releasing polymers for biomedical applications under the supervision of Dr. Priyadarsi De. After graduating, Sayan chose to further his academic journey in the United States, joining the Zhukhovitskiy Group at UNC Chapel Hill as a graduate student. Beyond his passion for chemistry, Sayan enjoys traveling, watching movies, and immersing himself in novels.
Afrah Faraz - 1st year
Afrah was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. She earned her B.S. in chemistry with honors and her B.A. in interdisciplinary Asian studies at UNC Chapel Hill as a Chancellor’s Science Scholar (Go Heels!). During her undergrad at UNC, she worked under Dr. Alexander Miller studying hydrogen atom transfer with first-row transition metal photohydrides. Since she could not bear the thought of leaving her beloved alma mater, she decided to pursue graduate studies at UNC in the Zhukhovitskiy group. Outside of chemistry, Afrah enjoys playing pickleball, watching movies, and spending time with her friends and family.
Sawyer Lazar - 1st year
Sawyer grew up in Moorpark, CA, and attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where received a B.S. in Chemistry and a B.A. in Archaeology. Sawyer did the bulk of his lab work under Dr. Michael Inkpen as a Beckman Scholar studying molecular electronics and single molecule conductance. On the archaeology side of things, under Dr. Lynn Dodd, Sawyer helped to curate an interactive virtual reality experience of the isthmus of Catalina Island off the coast of California. Now he has made the cross country road trip to UNC to work in the Zhukhovitskiy group. Outside of chemistry, Sawyer is an avid singer, scuba diver, and enjoys drawing in between.
David Obbard - 1st year
David grew up in Albany, CA, a small town just north of Berkeley. In high school, he enjoyed math, physics, and athletic training, but he actually loathed his chemistry class. Coming to college, he didn’t know what to study but his mother wanted a doctor so he entered as a biology major. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the most interesting, and whenever David had questions regarding biological processes, the answers always seemed to be written in organic chemistry. With the help of Dr. Bruce Lipshutz as a professor and eventual research advisor, David begrudgingly grew to enjoy the intricacies of synthesis and catalysis until he finally changed his major to chemistry. David made his way from California to North Carolina to obtain his Ph.D. in the subject, (satisfying mom’s wishes) and joined the Zhukhovitskiy group! Outside of curating his growing love for chemistry, David enjoys running, biking, rowing, cooking, and playing with his housemate’s German Shepard.
Isabella Summers - Undergraduate, Class of 2025
Isabella is from just outside London, England. She is studying Chemistry with a focus on polymers. She is one of five daughters, all of whom are ginger. Isabella is a member of the UNC fencing team!
Matt Satkowiak - Undergraduate, Class of 2026
Matt was born in Grand Blanc, Michigan, and moved to Clayton, North Carolina, in 2011. He graduated from Clayton High School and is currently pursuing a Chemistry degree here at UNC. Outside of lab Matt enjoys golfing, running, spending time with his family! In the future Matt hopes to apply chemistry in ways that can make an impact.
Daniel Godfrey - Undergraduate, Class of 2026
Daniel grew up right outside Detroit, Michigan, but moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 2014. He is pursuing a Chemistry degree with a focus on polymers and hopes to do a PhD afterwards. For fun, Daniel loves to weightlift, play futbol, and make fluffy pancakes. Inspired by his Detroit roots he is now rocking a slim shady hairstyle.
Carla Rodriguez - Undergraduate, Class of 2025
Carla was originally from Blairsville, Georgia, and moved to North Carolina back in 2012. She graduated from Oxford Prep and is currently pursuing a double major in Chemistry and Neuroscience with a minor in physics. Outside of the lab, Carla enjoys running and spending time with her family, especially her two younger sisters. Carla hopes to eventually earn a PhD in chemistry and apply it in a way that will make a positive impact on the environment.