The Team

Postdoctoral Researchers

Bittu Chandra
Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Minnesota (Aug. 2021- Aug. 2024)
Ph.D. in Chemistry, IISER Kolkata (2020)
Hometown: Jhalda, West Bengal
Fun Fact: Loves to play badminton and travelling offbeat places
Favorite Element: Iron
bchandr4 [at] ur.rochester.edu

Graduate Students

Irin Elizabeth Aby (G2)
B.S.-M.S. Chemistry Dual Degree, IISER Thiruvananthapuram, India (2023)
Hometown: Palakkad, Kerala
Fun Fact: Can doze off within 5 min of inactivity
Favorite Element: Helium
iaby [at] ur.rochester.edu

Chris Hastings (G5)
Weissberger Fellow (2022)
B.S. Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, 2020
Hometown: Killeen, TX
Fun Fact: Loves to play pool
Favorite Element: Thallium
chastin4 [at] ur.rochester.edu

Lucy Huffman (G3)
Sherman-Clarke Fellow (2023)
She/Her/Hers
B.S. Chemistry and B. S. Mathematics, Oregon State University (2019)
Hometown: Issaquah, WA
Fun Fact: Loves Dungeons & Dragons
Favorite Element: Tin
lhuffman[at]ur.rochester.edu

Bevan Whitehead (G5)
DeRight Fellow (2023)
He/Him/His
B.A. Chemistry, Vassar College, 2019
Hometown: South Portland, ME
Fun Facts: Loves to bake and helpedĀ  construct an 8’x16′ periodic table in fifth grade
Favorite Element: Lithium
bwhiteh4 [at] ur.rochester.edu

Paul Yoon (M1)
B.S. Chemistry, University of Rochester, 2024
Hometown: Katy, TX/Seoul, South Korea
Fun Fact: I’ve played the viola for 14 years
Favorite Molecule: H2O
pyoon4 [at] u.rochester.edu

Undergraduates

Justin Hao (’27)
RIG Recipient (2023)
Whipple Scholar (2023)

He/Him/His
Hometown: Southlake, Texas
Fun Fact: I love classical music!
Favorite Molecule: Cubane
jhao5 [at] u.rochester.edu

Miranda Stewart (’25)
Schwartz Discover Scholar (2023)
ACS Scholar

She/Her/Hers
Hometown: Highland Park, IL
Fun Fact: I have a blue birthmark on my back!
Favorite molecule: any anhydride!
mstewa31[at]u.rochester.edu

Marina Zapesochny (’25)
Schwartz Discover Scholar (2023)
She/Her/Hers
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Fun Fact: When I’m not in the lab, I’m probably performing in choir or theater
Favorite Molecule: Ferrocene
mzapesoc[at]u.rochester.edu