Team

NIH Postdoctoral Fellow Caltech (2008-2010)
Advisor: Robert H. Grubbs

Ph.D. University of Texas at Austin (2007)
Advisors: Christopher W. Bielawski and C. Grant Willson

B.S. and M.S. University of Oregon (2001, 2002)
Advisor: Michael M. Haley

Dr. Boydston began studying chemistry as an undergraduate at the University of Oregon under the guidance of Professor Michael M. Haley. His research focused on the synthesis and study of dehydrobenzoannulenes. After completing BS and MS degrees, he began doctoral research at the University of Texas at Austin. In 2005, Dr. Boydston joined the group of Professor Christopher W. Bielawski and was co-advised by Professor C. Grant Willson. Dr. Boydston completed his thesis research focused on the synthesis and applications of annulated bis(imidazolium) chromophores in 2007. After graduating, he moved to Pasadena, California to take an NIH postdoctoral position at the California Institute of Technology. There, he worked under the mentorship of Professor Robert H. Grubbs to develop new catalysts and methods for the synthesis and characterization of functionalized cyclic polymers. He returned to the Pacific Northwest as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the University of Washington in the summer of 2010. In summer 2018, he moved to the University of Wisconsin as the Yamamoto Family Professor of Chemistry. His research group currently focuses on developments in the areas of electro-organic synthesis, polymer synthesis, mechanochemical transduction, triggered depolymerization, polymers for therapeutic applications, and additive manufacturing (3D printing). His research and teaching efforts have been recognized through the NSF CAREER Award, Army Research Office Young Investigator Award, Cottrell Scholar Award, Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, and University of Washington Distinguished Teaching Award.

• Ph.D., Louisiana State University, 2013
• M.S., University of Tennessee, 2006
• B.S., Pusan National University, 2004

Chang-Uk is originally from Pusan, South Korea where he graduated with honors with a B.S. degree in Polymer Science and Engineering. He then completed M.S. and Ph.D. degrees focusing on a combination of materials science and synthesis of advanced polymer structures. During his doctoral studies under the guidance of Prof. Donghui Zhang, he worked on synthesizing a new class of peptidomimetic materials (polypeptoids, structural mimics of polypeptides), cyclic block copolypeptoids, and studying their self-assembly in solution and macroscopic properties. He then took an appointment as a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (UK CAER). In April of 2014, Chang-Uk made the move to Seattle to join the Boydston group as a postdoctoral fellow and begin studying polymer mechanochemistry.

• B.S., Hope College, 2018

Sean is from Shelby Twp. MI. He received his BS in chemistry and chemical engineering from Hope College in 2018, where he studied under the guidance of Prof. Jason Gillmore. His undergraduate research was focused on the synthesis and characterization of BF₂-coordinated azo dyes for incorporation in photomechanical polymers. He joined the Boydston group in November 2018. Outside of the lab Sean enjoys playing pub trivia, golfing, fishing, and hanging out with friends.

• B.S., Cornell University, 2018

Vinnie hails from Wayne, New Jersey where the rest of his family (Vanessa, Domenic, Mom, Dad, and Wally) resides. In May 2018, he obtained his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University. While at Cornell, his research involved the study and synthesis of oligothioetheramides under Professor Chris Alabi. Vinnie then started his life at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in August 2018 and soon after joined the Boydston lab in November 2018. Vinnie’s research interests include physical organic chemistry, reaction kinetics, and polymers chemistry. Vinnie has a vast multitude of interests, among them chess, Frisbee, volleyball, and other board games and sports.

• B.S., Sogang University
• M.S., Sogang University

Olivia received her B.S. in chemistry and M.S. in physical chemistry from Sogang University, Seoul, Korea. There, she worked with Prof. Bong June Sung on theoretical modeling of cancer cell cycle and molecular dynamic simulation of ring polymer films. She arrived in Madison this August and is enjoying life here. Outside the lab, she loves to read and write. She wants to be a writer someday.

• B.S., Oregon State University, 2019

Kyle is from Portland, OR and received his B.S in chemical engineering from Oregon State University in 2019. He conducted undergraduate research with Dr. Gall at Portland State University determining primary emissions, ozone reactivity, and byproduct emissions from building insulation materials. He also completed a co-op at 3D Systems in their materials R&D group. He joined the Boydston group in November of 2019. Outside of work, he likes any sport or outdoor activity, playing board games, and hanging out with friends.

• B.S., Michigan Technological University, 2019

Meg is originally from Greenville, Wisconsin. She earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering at Michigan Tech in 2019. One of her undergraduate research projects with Professor Patricia Heiden involved using radical crosslinking to improve interfacial adhesion between waste polymers and asphalt for better asphalt durability. Meg joined the Boydston group in November 2019. When not in the lab, she can be spotted jamming on piano or ukulele, getting too excited about board games, or starting a snowball fight.

• B.S., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2018

Julia is from Bethesda, MD. She received her B.S. in chemistry from Georgia Tech in 2018, where she collected and characterized Icelandic tephra samples and studied microbes in extreme environments under Prof. Amanda Stockton. She then spent two years at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) quantifying fatty acids and trans fatty acids in human plasma samples and developing quantification methods for glucose and carbohydrates with Dr. Heather Kuiper. She joined the Boydston group in July 2021. Outside the lab, she plans community building events for the department and plays lacrosse and volleyball.

• B.S., University of Houston, 2018

Brittany is from Houston, TX. She received her B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Houston in 2018. Her undergraduate research interests included polymer-based nanomaterials for wastewater treatment in Dr. Debora Rodrigues’s lab and metal ion uptake in the human gut microbiota in Dr. Melissa Zastrow’s lab. After graduating from UH, she worked for two and half years in R&D at Sekisui Specialty Chemicals improving and developing polyvinyl alcohol products. She joined the Boydston group in December 2021. Outside of the lab, she enjoys playing piano or violin in orchestra, designing websites for scientists, and eating noodles.

• B. S., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2019
• M. S., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2022

Harshal was born in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated in 2019 from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. While there, he worked with Dr. Ryan Lively to use MOFs as a biofuel separation strategy and with Dr. Matthew Realff to simulate CO₂ sequestration processes. He then completed an M.S. degree under the guidance of Dr. Marcel Schreier at the UW-Madison. Throughout his M.S., he worked on the electrocatalytic transformations of short alkanes and polymers. He joined the Boydston Group in February of 2022. In his free time, Harshal enjoys reading fantasy novels, going on runs, and building keyboards.

• B.A. Skidmore College, 2022

Sarah is from Boston, MA. She was a Porter-Wachenheim Presidential Scholar at Skidmore College and earned her B.A. in Chemistry in 2022. Her undergraduate research, with Dr. Kimberley A. Frederick, focused on the development of paper-based microfluidic devices for detection of environmental contaminants. She also interned with American Boronite Corporation in Burlington, MA, where she developed purification and characterization methods for carbon nanotubes and boron nitride nanotubes. Sarah joined the Boydston lab in December 2022. Outside of the lab, she enjoys arts and crafts, baking, and taking ballet classes.

• B.S., University of Wisconsin – Madison, 2020

Chance is from Waunakee, WI. He transferred from Madison College in 2018, then received his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2020. He participated in Professor Ying Ge’s lab, assisting in the research of nanoproteomics and top-down mass spectrometry. After graduation, he briefly worked at Coating Place, Inc. in Verona, WI as an analytical development technician. While not doing chemistry, Chance likes to build models, play games of all types, kayak and swing dance.

• B.S., University of Wisconsin Madison, 2022

Jerry is originally from Tianjin, China. He earned his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin Madison in 2022. During his time at the university, Jerry worked in the Boydston Group where his research involved designing and building custom 3D printers. After earning his degree, Jerry continued his journey in the Boydston Group, officially joining the lab in 2023. His current research interests lie in exploring novel materials and innovative ways to utilize 3D printing. Outside the lab, Jerry has a keen interest in technology. He enjoys building PCs and entrepreneurial pursuits.

• B.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2023

Ruojia is from Chongqing, China. She’s majoring in biochemistry and chemistry, with a certificate in computer science. She wants to see what she can learn from 3-D printing chemistry. After entering UW-Madison she has worked in one engineering lab. In her high school, she’s done research involving the pharmacokinetic analysis of controlled insulin drug delivery (PLGAs as matrices) system. While free, she entertains herself by playing the ukulele and piano and by singing (still looking for a rock band member if you would like). She’s trying to start up her youtube channel about make-up, which is always in progress. As for sports, swimming and badminton are on her after-class menu.

• B.S. (expected 2025), University of Wisconsin-Madison

Daria is from Madison, WI. She’s currently majoring in chemical engineering and computer science. She joined the Boydston Group in March 2022 on the additive manufacturing team. Some of her many research interests include photochemistry, polymer science, superconductors, and more. Besides science, Daria loves playing the clarinet, cooking, and playing UNO with friends!

• B.S. (expected 2024), University of Wisconsin-Madison

Eviana Berthel is from Zwingle, Iowa, and is majoring in Chemistry with a certificate in Leadership. She joined the Boydston group in May 2022, working on Materials Characterization of Thermosets and Thermoplastics. Throughout her college career, Eviana has been involved in multiple STEM and leadership-focused experiences, such as serving as the Student Organization Chair of the Wisconsin Engineering Student Council, being an active member of a professional engineering fraternity, Theta Tau-Xi, developing online courses for professors, and designing a Wellhead and Groundwater Protection Plan for Marathon County. Eviana currently is working towards a career in cosmetic formulation and business. In her spare time, she enjoys anything to do with makeup and fashion, cooking, spending time in nature, and attending concerts.

Chase is from Sheboygan, WI. He is currently majoring in neurobiology and has some background in 3D-printing on Inventor. He joined the Boydston research group in August 2023. He joined the Boydston group to expand his knowledge in polymerization chemistry and general chemical knowledge. He will be assisting in 3D printing piezoelectric particles. Outside of the lab, Chase works as an EMT and enjoys basketball.