Current Group Members

Research Professor

Gary Schiltz

Northwestern University: Research Faculty, Department of Chemistry, 2021-present
Northwestern University: Research Faculty, CMIDD, 2014-2021
Northwestern University: Research/Senior Research Associate, CMIDD, 2010-2014
deCODE Genetics: Senior Research Scientist, 2005-2009
Abbott Laboratories: Scientist, 1997-1999

Translational Chemistry

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Research Scientists

Purav Vagadia

Illinois Wesleyan University, 2012
Villanova University, 2014 (MS)

Translational Chemistry (Schiltz)

Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
Previous Research Advisors: Prof. Robert Giuliano (Villanova), Prof. Deanna Zubris (Villanova), Prof. Ram Mohan (Illinois Wesleyan)
Hobbies: Playing percussion, playing soccer, and playing the piano

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Postdoctoral Researchers

Madeline Hennessy

University of Illinois at Chicago, 2023
PhD Advisor: Prof. Andrew Riley

Complex Synthesis, Translational Chemistry

Hometown: Wauconda, Illinois
Previous Research Advisors: Prof. Gholam Mirafzal (Drake)
Hobbies: Cooking, gardening, climbing, going to shows, and zoo keeping

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Jing Cao

Monash University, 2022PhD advisors: Prof. David Lupton

Organic Synthesis, Methodology

Hometown: Jingdezhen, ChinaPrevious Research Advisors: Ding Du (China Pharmaceutical University)Hobbies: Basketball, soccer, reading, and music

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Josh Zhu

Northwestern University, 2023
PhD Advisor: Prof. Karl Scheidt

Translational Chemistry (Schiltz)

Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Previous Research Advisors: Prof. Thomas Lectka (Johns Hopkins)
Hobbies: Board games, playing the piano, and mixology

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Adam Wayment

Brigham Young University, 2024

PhD Advisor: Prof. David Michaelis

Catalysis

Hometown: Luling, Louisiana
Hobbies:Playing basketball, pickleball, and spending time with family

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Sonam Vinodkumar Jha

Keimyung University, South Korea, 2023
PhD Advisor: Prof. Young Ho Seo

Medicinal Chemistry (Schiltz)

Hometown: Gujarat, India
Hobbies: Swimming, cooking, and visiting amusement parks

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Graduate Students

Cullen Schull, G4

University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, 2021

Catalysis

Hometown: Mankato, Minnesota
Previous Research Advisors: Prof. Valeria Stepanova (UWL), Prof. Joseph West (Winona State)
Undergraduate Major: Biochemistry, Biology – Biomedical Sciences, Minor in Mathematics
Hobbies: Hiking, biking, and watching sports

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Yunchan Nam, G4

Kyung Hee University, 2020

Complex Synthesis

Hometown: Busan, South Korea
Previous Research Advisors: Prof. Jae Yeol Lee (Kyung Hee University)
Undergraduate Major: Chemistry
Hobbies: Rock climbing and playing soccer

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Claire Trudeau, G3

University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, 2022

Translational Chemistry

Hometown: Hutchinson, Minnesota
Previous Research Advisors: Prof. Valeria Stepanova (UWL), Prof. Joseph West (Winona State).
Undergrad major: Biochemistry, Biology – Molecular Biology.
Hobbies: Listening to music, snowboarding, fishing, and scuba diving

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Meemie Hwang, G3

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2022

Catalysis

Hometown: Skokie, Illinois
Previous Research Advisors: Prof. David Sarlah (UIUC)
Undergraduate Major: Chemistry
Hobbies: Exploring the city, baking, and playing with cats

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Gina Connors, G3

University of Notre Dame, 2022

Translational Chemistry

Hometown: North Bellmore, New York
Previous Research Advisors: Prof. Christian Melander (Notre Dame), Prof. Paul Hergenrother (UIUC)
Undergraduate Major: Chemistry
Hobbies: Listening to music, playing piano, Notre Dame football, and embroidery

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Miguel Campos, G3

Washington University in St. Louis, 2022

Translational Chemistry

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Previous Research Advisors: Prof. Jeanne Nerbonne (WashU), Prof. Marvin Meyers (SLU), and Prof. Regan Thomson (NW)
Undergraduate Major: Chemistry: Biochemistry Concentration
Hobbies: Anything superhero-related, watching/playing baseball and basketball, playing videogames, and watching anime

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Matthew McGill, G3

University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2022

Catalysis

Hometown: Saint Germain, Wisconsin
Previous Research Advisor: Prof. Andrew Buller (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Undergraduate Major: Chemistry
Hobbies: Hiking, going to concerts, and playing guitar

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Aaron Shoemaker, G3

Lafayette College, 2022

Catalysis

Hometown: Allentown, Pennsylvania
Previous Research Advisor: Prof. Daniel Griffith (Lafayette College) Undergraduate Major: Biochemistry
Undergraduate Major: Biochemistry
Hobbies: Running, climbing, cooking, and learning Japanese

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Ricardo Hernandez Alcala, G3

Boston University, 2022

Complex Synthesis

Hometown: Miami, Florida
Previous Research Advisor: Prof. John K. Snyder (Boston University) Undergraduate
Undergraduate Major: Chemistry
Hobbies: Tennis, chess, interpreting NMR Spectra, and horology

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Oniya Valencia, G3

Cornell University, 2022

Catalysis

Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Previous Research Advisors: Prof. Tristan Lambert (Cornell University)
Undergraduate Major: Chemistry
Hobbies: Drinking coffee, running, going to the farmers market, and exploring the great outdoors

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Chenxi He, G2

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2023

Complex Synthesis

Hometown: Sichuan, China
Previous Research Advisors: Prof. Tong Rongbiao (HKUST), Prof. Tan Choon Hong (NTU)
Undergraduate Major: Chemistry
Hobbies: Sleeping, eating spicy food, playing mobile games, playing table tennis, and anything cat-related

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Hannah Palomino , G2

University of Michigan, 2022

Catalysis

Hometown: Troy, Michigan
Previous Research Advisor: Nicolai Lehnert
Undergraduate Major: Biochemistry
Hobbies: Graphic design, gym, pilates, and cooking

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Sneha Sil , G1

University of Washington-Seattle, 2024

Computational Chemistry

Hometown: Brookfield, Wisconsin
Previous Research Advisor: Professor Sharlene Santana (UW Biology), Professor Alshakim Nelson (UW Chemistry)
Undergraduate Major: Chemistry, Biochemistry
Hobbies: Reading, visiting museums, classical piano, and crossword puzzles

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Nidheesh Phadnis, G1

Thomas Jefferson University, 2024

Complex Synthesis

Hometown: Berlin, New Jersey
Previous Research Advisors: Dr. John Milligan (Thomas Jefferson University), Prof. Patrick Walsh (University of Pennsylvania
Undergraduate Major: Chemistry
Hobbies: Listening to music, playing ultimate frisbee, working out, swimming, and cooking

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Diego Rojas , G1

University of Michigan, 2024

Complex Synthesis

Hometown: Rockville, Michigan
Previous Research Advisor: Alison Narayan
Undergraduate Major: Chemistry
Hobbies: Going to the gym, long walks on the beach, and Michigan Football

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