Professor
AJ Boydston
Position title: Professor
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.
Research Scientists
Chang-Uk Lee
Position title: Research Scientist
- 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.
Graduate Students
Olivia Bae
- 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.
Meg Tetzloff
- 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.
Julia Fraser
- 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 volleyball.
Brittany Trinh
- 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 violin in the Medical Sciences Orchestra at UW-Madison.
Harshal Bakshi
- 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.
Sarah Finnegan
- 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.
Chance Wilkinson-Johnson
- 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.
Jerry Miao
- 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.
Research Interns
Hayoung Yi
- B.S., University of Wisconsin at Madison, 2024
Hayoung is from Daejeon, South Korea. Hayoung is majoring in Chemistry and will work on the influence of network structure and property on the efficiency of mechanophore activation. Throughout her college career, she has been involved in multiple research and leadership experiences. During her free time, she likes to draw on my iPad and edit videos for her personal YouTube channel.
Undergraduate Students
Daria Rudykh
- 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!
SongHyun Lee
- B.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison, expected 2025.
SongHyun was born in Gwangju, South Korea but lived half of his life in Saudi Arabia. He is currently majoring in Chemical Engineering and joined the Boydston-FARM group this summer. He wanted to explore his career options as a chemical engineer as well as learn the application of mechanophore activation. As a hobby, he enjoys watching YouTube videos and playing table tennis.
Jacob Perre
- B.S, University of Wisconsin Madison, Expected 2025
Jacob is a Chemical engineering major at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He joined the Boydston research group in spring of 2023 with the IHAPI team working on a new 3D printing system. Outside of research Jacob is also a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) were he spent a year as the group’s outreach chair. Jacob has also spent time working with Pregis and Amcor, both global packaging companies. Jacob is currently pursuing a career in the flexible packaging industry. In his free time, he likes being active, cooking, being with friends, and to spend time in nature.
Ana Pietsch
- B.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison, expected 2025
Ana is from Appleton, WI and is a Chemistry major with a certificate in African Cultural Studies. In September 2023, she joined the Boydston group, where she synthesizes and characterizes photoresin containing piezoelectric particles. Furthermore, she is a lab assistant for general chemistry courses. She hopes to continue her research pursuing a PhD in chemistry. In her free time, you can find her at the Nicholas Recreational Center or studying in the new chemistry building!
Carolyn Hanrahan
- B.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison, expected 2026
Carolyn is a Chemistry major at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She joined the Boydston Research Group in Summer 2024 developing resin formulations and investigating photoredox catalysis for multiwavelength and multimaterial additive manufacturing. In her free time, she enjoys music, reading, dance, and spending time outside.
Alexis Garbisch
- B.S., University of Wisconsin- Madison, expected 2026
Alexis is studying chemical engineering with certificates in public policy and international engineering. She joined the Boydston Research Group in July of 2024 working on identifying alternative solvents for MF-ROMP. Outside of the lab Alexis is the treasurer for UW-Madison’s chapter of Amnesty International, a human rights organization. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, baking, sewing, and reading.
Ryan Ryzner
- B.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison, expected 2026
Ryan is a Chemical Engineering major at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During the summer of 2024, he joined the Boydston Group working on identifying alternative solvents for MF-ROMP. Outside the lab, Ryan also helps maintain other research groups’ chemical operations with the university’s environmental health and safety department. Outside of academia, he enjoys fishing, weightlifting, and ultimate frisbee.
Amanda Rusch
- B.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison, expected 2026
Amanda is a Global Health major at the University of Wisconsin Madison. She joined the Boydston Research Group in summer 2024 working on utilizing MF-ROMP products in additive manufacturing using light-based thiol-ene and related reactions as the curing mechanism. Outside of research, Amanda is a lab assistant for the general chemistry courses on campus. She also volunteers as a dental assistant at a local nonprofit clinic and is currently on the pre-dental track. In her free time, she enjoys baking, hiking, yoga, and spending time with her dog Cashew.
Veronica Goveas
- B.S. Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Expected 2025.
Veronica Goveas is a Biology major, also pursuing certificates in Biology Core Curriculum Honors and Global Health. She joined the Boydston Lab in September 2024, where she is developing more effective course questions for CHEM 343, 344, and 345. By sifting through relevant literature and focusing on core topics such as organic reaction mechanisms, thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics, she aims to design questions that enhance students’ understanding and challenge their cognitive skills. Veronica’s other work has earned her the Wisconsin Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowship. Veronica has also gained valuable clinical experience through shadowing in various medical specialties, including hematology, pediatric anesthesia, and critical care. She is actively involved in community service, volunteering at UW Health’s inpatient psychiatric unit and working with the Rape Crisis Center. Additionally, she serves as the Philanthropy Director for her senior class and has held leadership roles in HOSA – Future Health Professionals. In her free time, Veronica enjoys hiking, dancing, and exploring new recipes in the kitchen. She is passionate about contributing to both academic and community efforts, with a focus on enhancing educational resources and supporting public health initiatives.
Alumni
Sofya Akhetova
Position title: Undergraduate
Abdullah Alkarzai
Position title: Undergraduate
Ernie Alvino
Position title: MS
Eviana Berthel
Position title: Undergraduate
Hyun-seok Chang
Position title: High School Intern
Dr. Kyle Chin
Position title: PhD, 2024
Dr. Jianxun Cui
Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar
Jacob Dahl
Position title: Undergraduate
Jacob Darien
Position title: Undergraduate
Yuanzuo Gao
Position title: Undergraduate
Dr. Sean Gitter
Position title: PhD, 2024
Sung June Kim
Position title: Undergraduate
Madelyn Leclair
Position title: Undergraduate
Ruojia Li
Position title: Postbaccalaureate
Cora Lubahn
Position title: REU 2023
Dr. Brock Lynde
Position title: PhD
Grant Ovsepyan
Position title: Undergraduate
Dr. Vinnie Rigoglioso
Position title: PhD, 2024
Dr. Cody Schilling
Position title: PhD, 2023
Dr. Johanna Schwartz
Position title: PhD
Dr. Dan Seidenkranz
Position title: PhD
Dr. Hang Shen
Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar
Evan Sherbrook
Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar
Anthony Sumlin
Position title: MS
Dr. Rachel Tritt
Position title: PhD, 2023
Dr. Xuejin Yang
Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar
Mark Zhang
Position title: Undergraduate
Niko Zoller
Position title: Undergraduate