Students across the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering are applying engineering, science, and entrepreneurship to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Use the links below to jump to stories from:
PhD students
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Shima Shabani
ImmunoengineeringMendoza Lab
Shima Shabani wants more patients to reap the benefits of immunotherapy. -
Avi Gargye
Materials for SustainabilityDaniel Abraham Group (Argonne)
Avi Gargye is working to create sustainable batteries to help improve quality of life around the world. -
Haoran Lin
Quantum EngineeringYang Lab
Haoran Lin creates materials with quantum properties that have never been shown before. -
Alex Kolar
Quantum EngineeringZhong Lab
Alex Kolar studies the correlations that could revolutionize computing, communication, and sensing.
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Kate Johnson
ImmunoengineeringChevrier Lab
Kate Johnson works to make vaccines better—with support from across UChicago -
Emily Doyle
Materials for SustainabilityAmanchukwu Lab
Emily Doyle is using chemical engineering and AI to help design safer, more powerful batteries. -
Thomas Marchese
Materials for SustainabilityLaboratory for Energy Storage and Conversion
Thomas Marchese is exploring sodium-based solid-state chemistries to develop a new class of battery that would be safer, more powerful, and less damaging to the environment. -
Emanuel Garza
ImmunoengineeringJoyce Chen Lab
Emanuel Garza studies the cellular origins of small cell lung cancer, aiming to unlock new paths for lifesaving immunotherapies.
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Zixi Li
Quantum EngineeringHigh Lab
Zixi Li is developing scalable hardware for quantum networking. -
Joey Federico
ImmunoengineeringRiesenfeld Group
Joey Federico turns real-world clinical insights into scientific discoveries that could lead to new therapies. -
Omar Kazi
Materials Systems for SustainabilityDarling Group
Omar Kazi works with Argonne scientists to develop water purification technology for places of water scarcity. -
Michelle Bessiake
ImmunoengineeringEsser-Kahn Group / Zemmour Lab
Michelle Bessiake focuses on understanding regulatory T cells and the diseases that manifest when they aren’t functional.
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Chloe Washabaugh
Quantum EngineeringAwschalom Lab
Chloe Washabaugh works on a new approach to build quantum bits, relying on chemistry to assemble atoms in ways that achieve specific properties. -
Ivan Vuong
ImmunoengineeringHubbell Lab
Building on an interest in small-scale biology, Ivan Vuong is working to develop safer, more effective therapies for autoimmune diseases. -
Fabian Bylehn
Materials Systems for Sustainabilityde Pablo Group / Ranganathan Lab
Trading Olympic dreams for cutting-edge lab work, Fabian Byléhn uses machine modeling to study the building blocks of life. -
Madison Plaster
ImmunoengineeringChevrier Lab
PhD candidate Madison Plaster explores how colon disease impacts the immune system.
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Sam Marsden
Materials Systems for SustainabilityRowan Group
Sam Marsden is working on creating a new form of polymer that will be as strong as polyethylene, but as recyclable as PET. -
Andrea Diaz
Materials Systems for SustainabilityPatel Group
Andrea Diaz currently builds change by working on more recyclable forms of common waste plastic. -
Carlos Medina Jimenez
Materials Systems for SustainabilityTirrell Lab
Carlos Medina Jimenez develops next-generation polymers for use in bacteria-resistant medical implants, water purification devices, and more. -
Susan Okrah
ImmunoengineeringTay Lab
Susan Okrah works on developing a new kind of microfluidic device to test for respiratory diseases.
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José A. Méndez
Quantum EngineeringAwschalom Group
José A. Méndez finds a hub for quantum technology and for collaboration at the University of Chicago. -
Noah Glachman
Quantum EngineeringBernien Lab
Noah Glachman is researching how quantum computers can send information to each other over existing fiber optic cables. -
Nicholas Boynton
Materials Systems for SustainabilityRowan Group / Patel Group
As a NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Fellow, Nicholas Boynton is developing materials for future space missions. -
Jeremiah Kim
ImmunoengineeringEsser-Kahn Lab
Jeremiah Kim works on increasing the effectiveness of commercially available vaccines and minimizing the complications associated with them.
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Anchita Addhya
Quantum EngineeringHigh Lab
Anchita Addhya is working on building a scalable quantum platform for quantum sensing and quantum communication. -
Yahao Dai
Materials Systems for SustainabilityWang Group
Yahao Dai is researching materials that can stretch and bend with the human body while reading biological signals. -
Rachel Weathered
ImmunoengineeringSwartz Lab
Rachel Weathered applies her scientific expertise to investment strategy, guiding financial firms through one of medicine’s most promising new fields. -
Swathi Chandrika
Quantum EngineeringAwschalom Lab
Swathi Chandrika works on developing new methods to transmit quantum information across long distances through existing fiber optic infrastructure.
Master of Engineering students
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Yilong Zhou
Bio- and Immunoengineering TrackYilong Zhou is learning the principles of immunology and cellular engineering while also getting a chance to conduct research. -
Ashley Ellis
Bio- and Immunoengineering TrackAshley Ellis is using her biology and biotech background, along with the Master of Engineering program, to innovate where science meets business. -
Yuncong Bai
Energy and Sustainability TrackYuncong Bai is on a journey to use his knowledge and experience with materials toward a career in sustainable energy. -
AyJae Donis
Computational Modeling of Materials TrackAyJae Donis learns the skills to be part of the second quantum revolution.
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Ryan Yetishefsky
Bio- and Immunoengineering TrackRyan Yetishefsky used the Master of Engineering program to achieve the knowledge and research experience necessary to enroll in a PhD program. -
Destini Wiseman
Bio- and Immunoengineering TrackDestini Wiseman is leveraging her bioengineering studies to fast-track breakthroughs that can advance human health.
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Yousuf Mitchell
Energy and Sustainability TrackYousuf Mitchell aims to turn research breakthroughs into sustainable solutions. -
Kaitlyn Adams
Bio- and Immunoengineering TrackKaitlyn Adams is honing her skills in science, business, and leadership to help fast-track therapies to patients.
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Sarah Sunyoung Kim
Bio- and Immunoengineering TrackSarah Kim explores how research actually gets from lab bench to hospital bedside in the Master of Engineering program. -
Rajsekhar Kadiyala
Computational Modeling of Materials TrackRaj Kadiyala studies quantum engineering to become part of the city’s burgeoning quantum ecosystem. -
Alex Nyx
Bio- and Immunoengineering TrackAlex Nyx develops his understanding of engineering innovation to open more options in medicine. -
Monica Duron Juarez
Bio- and Immunoengineering TrackMonica Duron Juarez learns not only the latest breakthroughs bio- and immunoengineering, but also how to bring those breakthroughs to market.
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James Michael Kernan
Computational Modeling of Materials TrackAn 800-year-old Italian poem inspired Franciscan friar Jimmy Kernan to study computational modeling materials. -
Sonia Vohra
Polymer Science and Engineering Track (now Soft Matter Engineering or Computational Modeling of Materials)Sonia Vohra credits UChicago PME with letting her pivot to engineering and setting her on her dream career path. -
Yo Han Seol
Polymer Science and Engineering Track (now Soft Matter Engineering or Computational Modeling of Materials)Yo Han Seol taps into his own experience with the medical system to pursue precision (or personalized) medicine and technology.
Undergraduate students
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Avery Linder
Dual Molecular Engineering and Economics Major; Quantum Information Science MinorLinder is heading straight into industry after graduation as President and CEO of a startup based on a revolutionary diamond-bonding technique she helped develop.
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Rohan Mehta
Molecular Engineering MajorMehta is co-president of the society, a student-led, student-run, student-organized mutual aid group offering networking and research opportunities, study help, outreach, and community to any undergrad interested in quantum. -
Jona van Oord, George Rose, and Lucas Zubillaga
University of Chicago Molecular Engineering majors (from left) Jona van Oord, George Rose, and Lucas Zubillaga founded Rise Reforming to turn mixed post-industrial plastic waste into useful, sustainable chemicals.
Alumni
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Sophia (Chao-Wei) Huang
PhD, Molecular Engineering, 2023Syensqo’s Sophia Huang shares how UChicago PME helped her build a career in industry. -
Manish Singh
PhD, Quantum Science and Engineering, 2022Manish Singh was one of the first students in the country to receive a doctoral degree in quantum engineering. He currently pushes the boundaries of quantum network development through his startup memQ.