Ph.D. Alumni

67. Dr. Katie Kruscynski Earl (Ph.D. Materials Chemistry, 2023)

Ph.D.Thesis: Reciprocal Redox of Biomolecules on Meal Oxide Nanomaterial Surfaces

Current position: H2U Technologies, Inc. 

Katie’s Linkedin Profile 

 

 

66. Dr. Louis Morris (Ph.D. Materials Chemistry, 2023)

Ph. D. Thesis: In Operando Characterization of Organosilicon Electrolytes

Current Position: Postdoc, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

Louis’s LinkedIn Profile 

 

65. Dr. Cesar Saucedo (Ph.D. Inorganic Chemistry, 2023)

Ph.D.Thesis: Characterization of the sub-bandgap photoelectron emission mechanism of diamond into vacuum and water

Current position: PHI-Ulvac. 

Cesar’s Linkedin Profile

 

 

64. Dr. Curtis Green (Ph.D. Chemistry, 2022)

Ph.D. Thesis: Material and Medium Composition Influence on Nanomaterial Transformations in the Environment

Current position: Sigma-Aldrich Co., Madison, WI

Curtis’ LinkedIn Profile

 

63. Dr. Ben Bachman (Ph.D. Chemistry, 2022)

Ph.D. Thesis: Electrochemical and Thermal Chemistry of Carbon Species

Current Position:  Terecircuits Corporation 

Ben’s Linkedin Profile

 

62. Dr. Paige Kinsley (Ph.D. Chemistry, 2022)

Ph.D. Thesis: Carbon Coatings as a Tool for Controlling Surface Chemistry of Materials

Current Position: Argonne National Laboratory, Education/Outreach Lead

Paige’s Linkedin Profiles

 

61. Dr. Zachary (Ph.D. Chemistry, 2021)

Ph.D. Thesis: Optical Characterization of Fluorescent Diamond Nanoparticles in Complex Environments

Current position: Postdoc, Lawrence Berkeley Labs, Berkeley, CA.

Zack’s LinkedIn Profile

 

Jaya Borgatta

60. Dr. Jaya Borgatta (Ph.D. Chemistry, 2021)

Ph.D. Thesis: Understanding the Influence of Cu-based Nanoparticle Properties on Interactions with Plant Systems and Disease Suppression.

Current position: Corteva Biosciences

Jaya’s Linkedin Profile

 

59. Dr Austin Henke (Ph.D. Analytical Chemistry, 2021)

Ph.D. Thesis: Chemical Transformations of Lithium Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles in Model Environmental Systems

Current Position: Postdoc in Paul Westerhoff group, Arizona State University 

Austin’s Linkedin Profile

 
 

58. Dr Elizabeth (Liz) Laudadio (Ph.D. Materials Chemistry, 2020)

Ph.D. Thesis: Chemical Transformations of Lithium Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles in Model Environmental Systems

Current Position: Argonne National Labs

Liz’ LinkedIn Profile

 
 

57. Dr Yongqian (Kelly) Zhang (Ph.D. Materials Chemistry, 2020)

Ph.D. Thesis:  Functionalization and Characterization of Carbon Nanomaterials: Understanding Mechanistic Molecular Interactions in Biological Systems

Current Position: Senior Scientist, Merck and Co, Rahway, NJ.

Kelly’s LinkedIn Profile

 

 

56. Dr. Sarah Guillot (Ph.D., Materials Chemistry, 2019)

Ph.D. Thesis:

Current Position: Research Scientist, Silatronix

Sarah’s LinkedIn Profile

 

 

55. Dr. Shuo Li (Ph.D., Chemistry, 2019)

Ph.D. Thesis: Formation and Optical Properties of Plasmonic Silver Nanoparticle – Diamond Nanocomposites

Current Position: Applied Materials Co. 

Shuo’s Linkedin profile

 

54. Dr. Jason Bandy (Ph.D., Materials Science Program, 2019)

Ph.D. Thesis: Photoemission from Diamond Thin Films for Extreme Photoelectrochemistry

Current Position: Engineer, Lam Research

JJason’s LinkedIn profile

 

 

53. Dr. Melinda (Shearer) Dent (Ph.D., Materials Chemistry, 2018)

Thesis title:  Correlating Spatial Heterogeneity with Optical Properties of Transition Metal Dichalcogenides

Current Position: Group Leader, PPG Industries, Pittsburgh, PA

Melinda’s LinkedIn Profile

 

 

52. Dr. Arielle Mensch (Ph.D., Materials Chemistry, 2018)

Thesis title: Characterizing Nanoparticle Interactions at the Cellular Membrane

Current Position: Assistant Professor, Lafayette College

Arielle’s LinkedIn Profile

 
 

51. Mimi Hang (Ph.D., Materials Chemistry, 2018)

Thesis title: Investigating and Controlling Technologically Relevant Complex Metal Oxide

Nanomaterials to Mitigate Environmental Impact

Current Position: Process Engineer, Intel Corp., Portland OR

Mimi’s LinkedIn Profile

 

50. Dr. Margaret “Margy” Robinson (Ph.D., Analytical Chemistry, 2017)

Thesis title: Background-free Imaging of Nanoparticles in Complex Environments

Current position: Patent Scientist, Quarles and Brady

View Margy’s Profile on LinkedIn

 
  

49. Dr. Laura Slaymaker (Ph.D., Analytical Chemistry, 2017)

Thesis title: Characterization and Modulation of Electrochemical Processes at the Cathode-Electrolyte Interface in Lithium-Ion Batteries

Current position: Assistant Professor, Clarke University

View Laura’s Profile on LinkedIn

 
  shuyu_graduation_day

48. Dr. Shuyu Fang (Ph.D., Analytical Chemistry, 2017)

Thesis title: Characterization and Modulation of Electrochemical Processes at the Cathode-Electrolyte Interface in Lithium-Ion Batteries

Current position: Senior Product Manager, Amazon

View Shuyu’s profile on LinkedIn

 
  marco_graduation_days

47. Dr. Marco Torelli (Ph.D., Materials Chemistry, 2015)

Thesis title: Title

Current position: Adamas Nanotechnologies

View Marco’s profile on LinkedIn

 
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46. Dr. Jamie Wheeler (Ph.D., Materials Chemistry, 2015)

Thesis title: Title

Current position: Product Development Specialist, 3M Corporation

View Jamie’s profile on LinkedIn

 
  linghong

45. Dr. Linghong Zhang (Ph.D., Materials Chemistry, 2015)

Thesis title: Title

Current position:Global Applications Specialist, 3M Corp.

View Linghong’s profile on LinkedIn

 
  Di Zhu

44. Dr. Di Zhu (Ph.D., Materials Chemistry, 2014)

Thesis title: Photoelectron emission from diamond

Current position: Power Environmental Energy  Research Institute (PEERI)

View Di’s profile on LinkedIn

 
becc_putans

43. Dr. Becca Putans (Ph.D., Materials Chemistry, 2014)

Thesis title: Functionalization of Nanomaterial Surfaces for Light-harvesting and Nanotoxicology Applications

Current Position: Associate Research Chemist, International Flavors and Fragrances

View Becca’s profile on LinkedIn

 
caroline_IMG_0062

42. Dr. Caroline English (Ph.D., Materials Chemistry, 2014)

Thesis title: Currently: Senior Process Engineer, Intel Corp.

View Caroline’s profile on LinkedIn

 
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41. Dr. Joseph Yeager (Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, 2013)

Thesis title: Interaction of Organosilicon Electrolytes with Silicon Anodes Currently: Dept. of Chemistry, Smith College

View Joe’s profile at LinkedIn

 
yizheng_tan

40. Dr. Yizeng Tan (Ph.D., Materials Chemistry, 2013)

Thesis title: Optical and Electronic Studies of Photostability and Charge Dynamics

Currently: Laboratory Safety Manager, Santa Clara University

View Yizheng’s profile on LinkedIn

 
michelle_cooperrider2

39. Dr. Michelle Benson (Ph.D., Materials Chemistry, 2013)

Thesis title: Assembly of charge-transferring heterojunctions using “click” chemistry

Currently: Research Compliance Officer, Hackensack Meridian Health, Hackensack, NJ

View Michelle’s profile on LinkedIn

 
kacie

38. Dr. Kacie Louis (Ph. D., Physical Chemistry, 2012)

Thesis title: Surface functionalization of TiO2 Nanoparticles: Photo-stability and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Generation Currently: Commissioning and Startup Manager, Nouryon Co.

View Kacie’s profile on LinkedIn

 
xin_chen_0

37. Dr. Xin Chen, (Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, 2012)

Thesis title: Chemistry at the Organosilicon-based Electrolyte/electrode Interface in Lithium-ion Batteries

Currently: Senior Scientist, Exponent Inc.

View Xin’s LinkedIn Profile

 
rose

36. Dr.  Rose Ruther (Ph.D., Materials Chemistry, 2012)

Thesis title: Molecular Interfaces to Electronic Materials

Currently:Senior Scientist, Solid Power, Inc. 

View Rose’s LinkedIn Profile

 
  ryan_franking

35. Dr. Ryan Franking (Ph. D., Materials Science Program, 2011)

Thesis title:

Currently:Senior Research Engineer,  3M Corporation, Minneapolis, MN

View Ryan’s LinkedIn profile

 
stephanie_hogendoorn

34. Dr. Stephanie Hogendoorn (Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, 2011)

Thesis title:

Currently: R&D Scientist, JRS Pharmaceuticals

View Stephanie’s LinkedIn Profile

 
xiaoyu_wang

33. Dr. Xiaoyu Wang (Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry, 2010)

Thesis title: Mechanistic Study of Photochemical Functionalization on Group IV Semiconductors

Currently: AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry, Shanghai, China

View Xiaoyu’s LinkedIn profile

 
  beth_landis

32. Dr. Elizabeth C. Landis (Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry, 2010)

Thesis title: Molecular Monolayers for Attaching Electroactive Molecules to Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanofibers

Currently: Associate Professor, College of the Holy Cross 

View Beth’s LinkedIn profile

 
divya_goel

31. Dr. Divya Goel (Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry, 2009)

Thesis title: Growth and Assembly of Functionalized Nanomaterials: Using Organic-Inorganic Polymer Hybrid Systems

Currently:Product Manager, Oportun

View Divya’s LinkedIn Profile

 
drew_mangham

30. Dr. Andrew Mangham (Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry, 2009)

Thesis title: Ligand Effects on Semiconductor Nanoparticles in Two Contexts: Self-Assembly and Environmental Stability

Currently: Hydrologist, National Weather Service 

View Andrew’s Linked Profile

 
  bo_li_0

29. Dr. Bo Li (Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, 2009)

Thesis title: Nanowire-Based Chemical / Biological Sensor Fuses

Currently: Applications Engineer Specialist, 3M Innovation, Singapore

Email: davvy_li [at] yahoo.com

View Bo’s LinkedIn Profile

 
jeremy_streifer

28. Dr. Jeremy Streifer (Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, 2008)

Thesis title: Photochemical Functionalization of Hydrogen Terminated Silicon Surfaces with Functional Organic Alkenes

Currently: Intel Corporation, Hillsboro, OR

Email: jstreifer [at] gmail.com

 
heesuk_kim

27. Dr. Heesuk Kim (Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry, 2008)

Thesis title: Chemical Grafting of Molecular and Biomolecular Layers to Compound Semiconductor Surfaces

Currently: Senior Scientist, KIST (Korean Institute of Science and Technology), Seoul, Korea

Email: heesukkim [at] kist.re.kr

 
bin_sun

26. Dr. Bin Sun (Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry, 2007)

Thesis title: Integration of Carbon-based Materials with Microelectronic & Electromechanical Devices For Biosensing Applications

Currently: General Counsel, Xiaomi Corp, China

Email: binsun2007 [at] gmail.com View Bin’s LinkedIn profile

 
lu_shang_0

25. Dr. Lu Shang (Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry, 2007)

Thesis title: Assemble Nanowires into Novel Biosensor Configurations Using Dielectrophoresis Currently: Vice President, Guangxi Architecture Design and Research Institute, Email: lu.shang [at] gmail.com View Lu’s LinkedIn profile

 
kiu_yuen

24. Dr. Kiu-Yuen Tse (Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry, 2007)

Thesis title: Electrical Properties of Nano-Structured Carbons in Aqueous and Non-Aqueous Electrolytes

Currently: Lead Research Specialist, 3M Corporation

Email: ktse [at] mmm.com

View Kiu-Yuen’s LinkedIn Profiles

 
kevin_metz

23. Dr. Kevin Metz (Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry, 2007)

Thesis title: Synthesis and Applications of Hybrid Nanowires

Currently: Professor, Albion College, Albion, MI

Email: kevinmmetz [at] gmail.com

View Kevin’s LinkedIn Profile

 
sarah_baker

22. Dr. Sarah Baker (Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry, 2006)

Thesis title: Synthesis and Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes and Nanofibers

Currently: Staff Scientist, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Email: baker74 [at] llnl.gov

Visit Sarah’s website at LLNL

View Sarah’s LinkedIn Profile

 
beth_nichols

21. Dr. Beth Nichols (Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, 2006)

Thesis title: Photochemical Functionalization of Diamond Currently: External Technology Collaborations, Corning, Inc.

 Email: nichols_bm [at] hotmail.com

View Beth’s LinkedIn Profile

 
tami_lasseter

20. Dr. Tami Lasseter Clare (Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry, 2005)

Thesis title: Functional Monolayers for Direct Electrical Biosensing

Currently: Associate Professor,  Portland State University, Portland, OR

Email: claret [at] pdx.edu

Visit Tami’s website at PSU

 
kevin_weidkamp

19. Dr. Kevin Weidkamp (Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, 2005)

Thesis title: Surface Chemistry of Pentacene on Clean and Chemically-Modified Si(001)

Currently: Technical Services,Epic Computer Systems, Madison, WI

Email: kpweidkamp [at] uwalumni.com

View Kevin’s LinkedIn Profile

 
wensha_yang

18. Dr. Wensha Yang (Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry, 2005)

Thesis title: Biologically Modified Diamond Thin Films for Biosensing Applications

Currently: Associate Professor (Radiation Oncology), University of California-San Francisco

Email: wenshayang [at] gmail.com

View Wensha’s web page at UC-SF

View Wensha’s LinkedIn Profile

 
liang_fang2

17. Dr. Liang Fang (Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry, 2003)

Thesis title: Attachment of Pi-Conjugated Molecules on Si(001) Surfaces and Application in Molecular and Organic Electronics Currently: Technical Director/Fellow at West Pharmaceutical Services

View Liang’s LinkedIn Profile

 
wei_cai

16. Dr. Wei Cai (Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, 2003)

Thesis title: Chemical and Biochemical Modification of Silicon Surfaces

Currently: Chief Technology Officer, Technip Energies

View Wei’s LinkedIn Profile

 
  mike_schwartz

15. Dr. Michael Schwartz (Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry, 2003)

Thesis title: The Role of Dimer Structure in Controlling Organic Reactions on Group IV Surfaces

Currently: Managing Director, NSF Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology, UW-Madison

View Mike’s LinkedIn Profile

Email: schwartz [at] uwalumni.com

 
christina_hacker

14. Dr. Christina Hacker (Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, 2003)

Thesis title: Optical Characterization of Anisotropic Organic Layers on SI(001) Surfaces

Currently: Group Leader, Nanoscale Spectroscopy, NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), Gaithersburg, MD

Email: christina.hacker [at] nist.gov

View Christina’s LinkedIn Profile

 
bo_hu

13. Dr. Bo Hu (Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, 2002)

Thesis title: Chemical and Structural Study at the Interface Between Metal Sulfides and Acids Currently: General Electric Research and Development, Shanghai, China

 
xiaoping_cao

12. Dr. Xiaoping Cao (Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, 2002)

Thesis title: Interfacial Structure and Bonding of Nitrogen Containing Organic Molecules with Silicon Surfaces

Currently: Senior VP and Director of Technical Operations, JW Therapeutics

View Xiaoping’s LinkedIn Profile

 
sarah_coulter

11. Dr. Sarah Coulter (Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, 2001)

Thesis title: Reactions of Substituted Aromatic Molecules on the Si(001) Surface

Currently: Director of Global Quality Control, Clorox Corporation Email: sarah [at] chezcandd.net

View Sarah’s LinkedIn profile

 
molly_maguire

10. Dr. Molly McGuire (Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, 2001)

Thesis title: Elemental Sulfur on Oxidized Sulfide Mineral Surfaces Currently: Professor, Bucknell University

Email: mmcguire [at] bucknell.edu

View Molly’s web page at Bucknell

 
jennifer_hovis

9. Dr. Jennifer Hovis (Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, 1999)

Thesis title: Cycloaddition Chemistry on (2×1)-Reconstructed Surfaces

Currently:Senior Data Scientist, Microbyre

View Jennifer’s LinkedIn Profile

 
joel_olson

8. Dr. Joel Olson (Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, 1999, jointly supervised with Professor Art Ellis)

Thesis title: Microscopic Studies of the (110) Cleaved Surface of CdSe Using a Scanning Tunneling Microscope

Currently: Associate Professor, Florida Institute of Technology

Email: jolson [at] fit.edu

 
hongbing_liu

7. Dr. Hongbing (Roy) Liu (Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, 1998)

Thesis title: Surface Chemistry of Unsaturated Organic Molecules on Si(001) Surfaces

Currently: Senior VP of Engineering, AccuDX

Email: royhliu [at] yahoo.com

View Hongbing’s LinkedIn profile

 
jun_shan

6. Dr. Jun Shan (Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, 1997)

Thesis title: A Surface Infrared Spectroscopy Study of Reaction Chemistry During Silicon Chemical Vapor Deposition Processes

Currently: Software Engineer, IBM Email: Jshan [at] informix.com View Jun’s LinkedIn profile

 
ernie_frank_1996

5. Dr. Ernest Frank (Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, 1997)

Thesis title: Nanoscale Surface Restructuring of Silver Thin Films by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

Currently: Research Leader, Dow Chemical Company, Charleston, West Virginia  

View Ernie’s LinkedIn profile

 
harry_chen

4. Dr. Xiangxiong (“Harry”) Chen (Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, 1996)

Thesis title: Direct Imaging of Small Molecules via Cryogenic Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

Currently: Senior Test Engineer, ESI

View Harry’s Profile at LinkedIn

 
  yajun_wang

3. Dr. Yajun Wang (Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, 1996)

Thesis title: Atomic Scale Surface Structural and Chemical Characterization Using STM: Application to Silicon CVD and Doping Processes

Currently: Networking Segment CTO, Coherent, Corp.

View Yajun’s LinkedIn profile

 
steve_higgins

2. Dr. Steve Higgins (Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, 1996)

Thesis title: Microscopic Investigations of the Chemical and Electrochemical Reactions at the Galena (PbS)/Water Interface Currently: Professor, Wright State University Steven’s home page at Wright State

Email: steven.higgins [at] wright.edu

View Steve’s profile at LinkedIn

 
marc_mcellistrem

1. Dr. Marc McEllistrem (Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, 1993)

Thesis title: Photovoltaic Effects at Semiconductor Surfaces Probed with STM Currently:

Professor, UW-Eau Claire Marc’s homepage at UWEC

Email: mcellimt [at] uwec.edu

 
 

Dr. Dong Chen (Ph.D. in Physics, 1992, spent last 1.5 years of Ph.D. program in Hamers group)

Research Project: Surface Chemistry of Disilane on Si(001) Probed with STM

Currently: Chief Scientist, VP of R&D,  CFMEE, Hefei, China

View Dong’s LinkedIn Profile