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
Research Scientists
Purav Vagadia
Illinois Wesleyan University, 2012
Villanova University, 2014 (MS)
Translational Chemistry
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
Postdoctoral Researchers
Qiupeng Peng
Tsinghua University, 2021
PhD Advisor: Professor Jian Wang
Translational Chemistry, Catalysis
Hometown: Chengdu, China
Previous Research Advisors: Prof. Ma Lei and Prof. Yun Tang (East China University of Science and Technology)
Hobbies: badminton and football
Jing Cao
Monash University, 2022PhD advisors: Professor David Lupton
Organic Synthesis, Methodology
Email Jing
Nao Tanaka
Sophia University, 2021
PhD advisor: Professor Toyonobu Usuki
Catalysis
Hometown: Chiba, Japan
Hobbies: Kyudo, snowboarding, solving puzzles, programming, and rock climbing
Graduate Students
Josh Zhu, G6
Johns Hopkins University, 2018
Catalysis
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Previous Research Advisors: Prof. Thomas Lectka (Johns Hopkins)
Undergraduate Major: Chemistry
Hobbies: Trying out new board games, playing the piano, and practicing his mixological skills
Cullen Schull, G3
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
Yunchan Nam, G3
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, playing soccer, and cycling
Meemie Hwang, G2
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, playing with cats
Gina Connors, G2
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, watching Notre Dame football
Claire Trudeau, G2
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
Matthew McGill, G2
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, Playing Guitar
Aaron Shoemaker, G2
Lafayette College, 2022
Catalysis
Hometown: Allentown, Pennsylvania
Previous Research Advisor: Prof. Daniel Griffith (Lafayette College) Undergraduate Major: Biochemistry
Hobbies: Running, learning languages, learning how to cook Korean food, thrifting
Miguel Campos, G2
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, taking fat naps
Ricardo Hernandez Alcala, G2
Boston University, 2022
Complex Synthesis
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Previous Research Advisor: Prof. John K. Snyder (Boston University) Undergraduate Major: Chemistry
Hobbies: Tennis, Chess, Interpreting NMR Spectra, and Horology
Oniya Valencia, G2
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
Chenxi He, G1
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
Hannah Palomino, G1
University of Michigan, 2023
Catalysis
Hometown:
Previous Research Advisors:
Undergraduate Major:
Hobbies:
Undergraduate Students
Anthony Tam, UG3
Integrated Science Program (ISP) – Mathematics & Chemistry | Northwestern University
Goldwater Scholarship (2022), Lambert Fellowship (2022)
Complex Synthesis
Hometown: Fishers, Indiana
Hobbies: Cooking, tea, and mechanical keyboard enthusiast
Sophia Mitton-Fry, UG1
Chemistry | Northwestern University
Chemistry
Hometown: Granville, Ohio
Hobbies: Making art, baking and hiking
Tess Berkowitz, UG1
Chemistry | Northwestern University
Catalysis
Hometown: Livingston, New Jersey
Hobbies: Knitting, hiking, skiing and watching movies