Members
Texas State University Faculty
Texas State SEED Faculty & Liason
Christopher Wight
PREM-MRSEC Faculty Liaison
University of Texas MRSEC Faculty
Dr. Joaquin Resasco
Doctoral PREM Researchers
Scott Barrett
PhD Materials Science, Engineering and Commercialization: Advancement of Renewable Energy via Organic Chemistry (Brittain Lab)
Viola Fieglein
PhD IMBC: Utilization of ortho- and para- substituted azobenzene for concerted and controlled photoswitching (Brittain Lab) (Moved to Jacobs Lab)
M.S. PREM Researchers
Makena Burns
M.S. Chemistry: Contact Angle Analysis to determine CMC and Trace Analysis using Gas Chromatography (Brittain Lab)
Micheal Goodman
M.S. Physics: Imaging 2D materials using advanced AFM techniques (Miyahara Lab)
Jackelyn Rodriguez
M.S. Chemistry: Effect of Carbon Substrate and Anion Environment within Nickel Hydroxide Cathodes on Electrochemical Performance of Nickel-Zinc Batteries (Rhodes Lab)
Jaret Manley
M.S. Chemistry: Effect of Nickel Hydroxide Cathode Composition on Electrochemical Performance of Nickel-Zinc Batteries
(Rhodes Lab)
Jessica Peterson
M.S. Biochemistry: Polymer hydrogel nanocomposites as antibacterial would healing materials (Betancourt Lab)
Hailey Dudley
M.S. Biochemistry (Kerwin Lab)
John Miracle
M.S. (Theodoropoulou Lab)
Undergraduate PREM Researchers
Bekzat Abubakirov
B.S. (Brittain Lab)
Melany Bouyer
B.S. Microbiology: Polymer nanocomposites for water purification (Irvin Lab)
Natalie Brown
B.S. Biology: Synthesizing and Characterizing DNA-GNP complexes (Miyahara Lab)
George Bruen
B.S. Industrial Engineering: Designing and fabricating battery and electrolyzer cells (Rhodes Lab)
Nicolas Bueno Ponce
B.S. Biochemistry: Dynamic agar hydrogels with hyaluronic acid (Betancourt Lab)
Tegan Dagley
B.S. Biochemistry: (Kerwin Lab)
Denally Escalona
(Betancourt Lab)
Kayley Green-Tooney
B.S. Physics: (Miyahara Lab)
Yordanos Kinfe
B.S. Biochemistry: Dynamic Reconfigurable Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications (Betancourt Lab)
Alan Martinez
B.S. Chemistry: Laser synthesis and characterization of metal oxides on metal surfaces (Martin Lab)
Mason Mault
B.S. Applied Mathematics: Mathematical analysis of electro-mechanical coupled system (Miyahara Lab)
Ian Morgan
B.S. Chemistry & Criminal Justice: Photoisomerization of Azobenzenes in Polysaccharides
(Brittain Lab)
Iris Okoro
B.S. Electrical Engineering: Building Low-Cost STM to Observe Nanostructures (Miyahara Lab)
Eunice Rodriguez
B.S. Clinical Laboratory Science: Incorporation of RGD peptide into PEG-MAL hydrogels for cell encapsulation (Betancourt Lab)
Alex Sharpton
B.S. (Martin Lab)
Caleb Solis
B.S. Electrical Engineering/Physics: Synthesizing and Characterizing DNA-GNP complexes (Miyahara Lab)
McKenzie Siller
B.S. Biochemistry: Nanoparticles with miRNA in treatment of neuroblastoma (Betancourt Lab)
Amelia Strait
B.S. Microbiology: Dynamic Reconfigurable Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications
(Betancourt Lab)
Edna Vasquez
B.S. Electrical Engineering: Growth and simulation of new semiconductor materials (Wistey Lab)
Cassandra Gomez
B.S. (Brittain Lab)
Nathalia Sauceda
B.S. (Brittain Lab)
Len Mouer
B.S. (Brittain Lab)
Isabella Horcha
B.S. Chemistry: Catalysis Chemistry of TiO2 (Martin Lab)
Mal Millholland
B.S. Chemistry: (Martin Lab)
Riley Sheikh
B.S. Chemistry: (Martin Lab)
Stuart Plaugher
B.S. Electrical Engineering (Miyahara Lab)
Sydney Mock
B.S. Physics (Theodoropoulou Lab)
Elissa Avila
B.S. Physics (Theodoropoulou Lab)
Stephanie Espinosa
B.S. Physics (WisteyLab)
Ethan Patterson
B.S. Electrical Engineering (Wistey Lab)
PREM Affiliates
Sunil Adhikari
M.S. Physics: Investigating the Electric Field-Induced Isomerization (Miyahara Lab)
Ayodeji Akinloye
M.S. Chemistry: Dynamic Interpenetrating Hydrogels as Biomaterials (Betancourt Lab)
Khorshed Alam
PhD Materials Science, Engineering and Commercialization: MBE growth GeCSn thin films for On chip silicon photonics laser (Wistey Lab)
Luis Albiter
Postdoctoral Researcher: Ruthenium-Zirconium Oxides for Highly Stable Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysts (Rhodes Lab)
Sakib Bhuiyan
PhD Materials Science, Engineering and Commercialization: Synthesis and Characterization of Photothermal Hydrogels (Betancourt Lab)
Shuvo Brahma
PhD Materials Science, Engineering and Commercialization: Vapor phase deposition of Electroactive polymers on nanofiber (Betancourt Lab)
Edith Collins
M.S. Chemistry: (Brittain Lab)
Dillon Gee
B.S. Biology: Leveraging Star-like PEG Macromolecule Valence to Improve the Tunability of Drug Delivery from Hydrogels (Betancourt Lab) (part of URISE program)
Nicholas Lontkowski
M.S. Chemistry: (Kerwin Lab)
Malay Kumar Das
PhD Materials Science, Engineering and Commercialization: Study of Non-Canonical Nucleic Acid Structures and ligands: G- quadruplex and G- triplex (Kerwin Lab)
Md Mahamudul Hasan
Postdoctoral Researcher: Characterization of Quantum Materials and quantum dot qubits by advanced scanning probe microscopy technique (Miyahara Lab)
Rigo Mayorga-Luna
PhD Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization: Charge transfer through individual DNA molecules measured by mechanically detected electric charge sensing (Miyahara Lab)
Zachary Naymik
PhD Materials Science, Engineering and Commercialization (Rhodes Lab)
Ifeanyi Nwanegbo
M.S. Chemistry: Polymer nanoparticles for miRNA delivery
(Martin Lab)
William Pollack
M.S. Chemistry: Characterization of high entropy oxide catalysts by annealing nitrate metal salts onto titanium substrates via laser synthesis (Martin Lab)
Mohammed Reaz Rahman Munna
PhD Materials Science, Engineering and Commercialization: MBE growth GeCSn thin films for On chip silicon photonics laser (Wistey Lab)
Junaid Ur Rehman
PhD Materials Science, Engineering and Commercialization: Polymer nanocomposites for water purification (Betancourt Lab)
Brandon Taylor
B.S: Preparation of miRNA-loaded nanoparticles for the treatment of neuroblastoma (Betancourt lab) (part of URISE program)
PREM Alumni
PREM Alumni
Eniola Adegbola
B.S. Biochemistry: Evaluation of PEDOT Nanoparticles in Neuroblastoma Differentiation (Betancourt Lab)
Now: Applying to medical school for 2025
Augustus Arbogast
M.S. Materials Physics: Group IV Semiconductors (Wistey Lab)
Now: Working at TXST supervising technical training of PhD students on MBE growth and seeking position in materials science field
Kathleen Bailey
B.S. Chemistry: Evaluation of Metal Substituents on Structure & Electrical Properties of Zirconium & Tin Oxide (Rhodes Lab)
Now: PhD student in chemistry at Texas A&M University
Nikki Broussard
B.S. Microbiology: The Synthesis and Utility of Novel N-Alkynyl Azoles (Kerwin Lab)
Now: Looking for research position
Abby Bosket
B.S. Chemistry: Laser annealing of metal sulfides grown on metal surfaces (Martin Lab)
Now: Searching for a job related to food science
Ellee Bounds
B.S. Biology: Preparation of miRNA-loaded nanoparticles for the treatment of neuroblastoma (Betancourt Lab)
Now: Applying for medical school for 2025 academic year
Warren Burke
B.S. Chemistry: Synthesis of Rutile Phase (Ta/Ti)O2 (Martin Lab)
Now: QC/Engineering Technician at Tesla in Austin Gigafactory
Camden Caffey
B.S. Chemistry: High Energy Ball Milling to make Mixed Metal Oxide Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysts (Rhodes Lab)
Now: Research Technician at Houston
Methodist Hospital
Emily Camera
B.S. Clinical Lab Sciences: The Synthesis and Utility of Novel N-Alkynyl Azoles (Kerwin Lab)
Carter Cunningham
B.S. Chemistry: Synthesis of Conductive Polymer Bottle Brushes (Irvin Lab)
Now: Pursuing Ph.D. in
chemistry at University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign
Kobe De La Paz
B.S. Microbiology: Optimization of PEDOT Nanoparticle Preparation (Betancourt Lab)
Laboratory Technician at Fairfax
Cryobank and applying for medical
school
Emma Die
B.S. Physics: Dilute GeC alloys for Silicon phonics (Wistey Lab)
Haley Dutton
B.S. Physics (Theodoropoulou Lab)
Adrian Fernandez
M.S. Biochemistry: Temperature-Dependent Self-Assembly Remodeling by a Polyether Perylene Diimide in Water (Kerwin Lab)
Idania Galvan
B.S. Biology: Development of Strategies for Active Targeting of PLA-PEG Nanoparticles (Betancourt Lab)
Now: Finished MS at
University of
North Texas for
MS program + applying for medical
school
Jacobo Garza
B.S. Biochemistry: Physical and Chemical Characterization of Putative G-Triplex-Forming DNA Oligonucleotides (Kerwin Lab)
Now: Completing MS n
personalized molecular medicine at
the University of
Texas HSC
Ben Gibson
B.S. Chemistry: Nanostructured Cathode Material (Rhodes Lab)
Now: Technical Staff at Group 1 (energy
materials company)
Austin Gillette
B.S. Biochemistry: Exploring solid solution of Molybdenum-Tungsten-Sulfides using laser heating (Martin Lab)
Now: Seeking position in materials science field
Suzanna Griffin
B.S. Biology: (Betancourt Lab)
Jacob Guerrero
B.S. Biochemistry: Reconfigurable Ion Pairs (Brittain Lab)
Now: Starting PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences at University of Nebraska
Aidan Gustafson
B.S. Biochemistry: Reducing Cytotoxicity in Conducting Polymer Nanofibers (Irvin Lab) (Moved to Dr. Karen Lewis Lab)
Mariah Gutierrez
B.S. Biochemistry/Marketing: Development of Strategies for Active Targeting of PEDOT Nanoparticles (Betancourt Lab)
Now: Pursuing MS in
Marketing Research at TXST.
Full time PREM
CIMA staff.
Chloe Hansom
B.S. Chemistry: Nerve Regeneration: Grafting Conductive Polymers using Electrochemistry (Irvin Lab)
Now: Looking for industry position and applying for PhD programs next year
Grace Haya
B.S. Biochemistry: Conducting Polymer Aptasensors (Betancourt/Irvin Lab)
Now: SSS TRiO Advisor
at Lane Community College
Ikel Hernandez
B.S. Physics: Surface potential measurements of SrTiO3 films on Si using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (Theodoropoulou Lab)
Now: Starting PhD in physics at Drexel University
Dean Koehne
PhD Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization: Quantum effects in the electronic properties of epitaxial SrTiO₃ films on Si(001) (Theodoropoulou Lab)
Patrick Kollias
M.S. Physics: Resistive Switching Behavior in SrTiO3/Si Thin Films (Theodoropoulou Lab)
Now: Product Development Engineer at SigmaSense
Hector Lazaro
B.S. Chemistry (Irvin Lab)
Now: Looking for positions in chemistry/materials science field
Sam Lindsey
B.S. Physics (Theodoropoulou Lab)
Now: Starting PhD in physics at University of Delaware
Nicholas Lontkowski
M.S. Chemistry: Electroactive polymer nanocomposites for nerve regeneration (Irvin Lab)
Diego Luna
B.S.Chemistry: Laser synthesis of high entropy oxides (Martin Lab)
Now: Helping with family business
Marc Maldonado
B.S. Chemistry: (Irvin Lab)
Now: Looking for positions in chemistry/materials science field
Christy Meyer
B.S. Chemistry: Reconfigurable Ion Pairs (Brittain Lab)
Now: Laboratory Technician, BASF
Sarah Mitchell
M.S. Biochemistry: Modulation of Cancer Immunogenicity by PEDOT Nanoparticle-Mediated Photothermal Therapy (Betancourt Lab)
Now: Working in IT position
Juanangel Montemayor
B.S. Physics: Quantum and electromagnetic properties of CdTel or ZnTel solar panels annealed with other metals (Transferred to other institution)
Ezequiel (Zeke) Montes
B.S. Chemistry: Synthesis of conductive polymer bottle brushes (Irvin Lab)
Jennifer Navarro
M.S. Biochemistry:
The Synthesis and Utility of Novel N-Alkynyl Azoles (Kerwin Lab)
Now: Medicinal chemist at MD Anderson Cancer Center
Shashank Neupane
B.S. Physics: Low cost STM_AFM (Miyahara Lab)
Tan Nguyen
B.S. Physics: Quantum Dot with Azobenzene (Miyahara Lab)
Now: Self employed
Alison Nichols
M.S. Physics: Low-Temperature Electronic Properties of PbTe doped with Tl grown on CdTe (211)B by MBE (Theodoropoulou Lab)
Now: Research staff at HRL Laboratories
Josue Osorio
B.S. Biochemistry: Creating a PLGA-PEI-miRNA nanovector to reprogram neuroblastoma cancer cells in vitro (Betancourt Lab)
Now: Started a personal business
Mackenzie Otakpor
B.S. Biology: Conducting polymer aptasensors (Betancourt Lab)
Now: Conducting research at Texas
State, applying for medical school
Madeleine Pastore
B.S. Chemistry: Electroactive polymer nanocomposites (Irvin Lab)
Now: Starting PhD in Chemistry at UT Austin in Fall 2024
Gabriel Pohlman
B.S. Chemistry: Conducting Polymer Aptasensors (Betancourt Lab)
Now: Pursuing PhD in Chemistry at University of Texas at Austin
Lilian Roe
B.S. Biology: Development of Strategies for Active Targeting of PEDOT Nanoparticles (Betancourt Lab)
Now: Patient Care Technician at Heart
Hospital of Austin
and applying for
medical school
Greta Sanchez
B.S. Biochemistry: Preparation of miRNA-loaded nanoparticles for the treatment of neuroblastoma (Betancourt Lab)
Now: Studying at UT Austin
Marvin Santiago
M.S. Chemistry:
Chemical Modification of Polymer Nanofibers (Irvin Lab)
Now: Pursuing PhD in chemistry at UCSB
Layne Sauer
B.S. Physics: Optical Measurements of Highly Mismatched Alloys (Wistey Lab)
Now: Looking for positions in chemistry/materials science field
Cory Silguero
B.S. Chemistry: Nanostructure Synthesis and Analysis via X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
(Rhodes Lab)
Now: Pursuing PhD in
Chemistry at University of Texas at
Austin
Venus Stanton
B.S. Chemistry: Esterifcation of Ragweed-sourced Cellulose for Production of Cellulose Acetate Nanofibers (Irvin Lab)
Now: At the University
of Texas at San
Antonio for PhD in
molecular microbiology and immunology
Madeline Tello*
B.S. Chemistry: Laser Synthesis of Titanium dioxide (Martin Lab)
Kushal Thapa
PhD Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization:
Synthesis and characterization of photothermal hydrogels (Betancourt Lab)
Edgar Torres
B.A. Communication Studies & B.S. Chemistry: Laser Synthesis of Tungsten Sulfide (Martin Lab)
Now: PhD student in biomedical engineering at Georgia
Tech / Emory
Adelyne Towne
B.S. Biochemistry: Synthesis of Conductive Polymer Bottle Brushes (Irvin Lab) (Moved to Dr. Karen Lewis Lab)
Michael Urena
M.S. Chemistry:
Evaluation of Catalysts & Catalyst Layers on Proton-Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolyzer Performance and Durability (Rhodes Lab)
Now: Technologist at Sandia National Laboratories
Isaiah Velazquez
B.S. Physics (Theodoropoulou Lab)
Now: Conducting post-back summer experience at UT Austin. Applying for doctoral programs for next year
Sarah Weisbrodt
B.S. Biochemistry: Temperature-Dependent Self-Assembly Remodeling by a Polyether Perylene Diimide in Water (Kerwin Lab)
Joanna Zepeda
B.S. Biology: Synthesis of photothermally active hydrogels (Betancourt Lab)
Now: Pursuing PhD in
biomedical sciences at University of Texas
Southwestern
Medical Center
Texas State PREM Staff
Mariah Gutierrez
PREM Admin Assistant II