Elif Kurt (Fall 2020 -): Elif received her B.S. in Genetics and Bioengineering from Fatih University and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Istanbul University. During her master’s, she worked in a research project granted by Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK). Her master’s thesis with Prof. Hasine Kasgoz focused on drug delivery mechanisms of different biopolymeric materials. Elif’s current research focuses on metabolic engineering of bacteria and enzymatic reaction engineering for biodegradation and bioconversion of PET and PU plastic wastes.
Jiansong Qin (Spring 2021 -): Jiansong received his B.S. in Bioengineering from Shaoyang University (2014) and M.S. in Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology (BMBT) from University of Massachusetts Lowell (2018). His research will focus on metabolic engineering of Y. lipolytica for biomanufacturing of high-value products from oils and fats.
Muhammad Umer Abid (Spring 2022 -): Umer received his B.Sc. in Polymer Engineering, with distinction (Gold Medalist), from University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan (2020). He is currently pursuing his PhD studies in Chemical Engineering at UMass Lowell. He is also actively working as a peer reviewer for several renowned journals. His previous research interests were polymer/clay nano-composites for packaging, nano-susceptor material for microwave sintering, biopolymers as green additives and bio-fillers, efficient utilization of plastic waste, and organic superhydrophobic coatings for PV modules. His current research will be focused on Biodegradation and Bioconversion of Plastic Wastes
Alexandria Williams (Fall 2022 -): Alexandria received her B. Sc. in Chemical Engineering, with a minor in Honors and an area of emphasis in bioengineering, from the University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming (2022). Her previous research focused on metabolically engineering microorganisms to create monomers required for NASA construction tool assembly and carbon sequestration. In addition, Alexandria’s previous research also consisted of developing DNA identification assays for bacterial infections in bovine species. Her current research will focus on CO2 recycling and metabolic engineering of Y. lipolytica for production of high-value products.
Andrew Olson (2021 Spring -): Andrew received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from UMass Lowell (2020). His current research focuses on fermentation engineering for the yeast of Y. lipolytica and Rhodosporidium toruloides and the bacterium E. coli.
Andrew Parker (2021 Summer -): Undergraduate research assistant – Fermentation engineering, Plastic biodegradation and bioconversion. Andrew is currently a Junior studying Chemical Engineering with a concentration in Biology at UMass Lowell. He won the RISE undergraduate fellowship in 2021 to support his research in plastic biodegradation and upcycling. When time permits Andrew enjoys rock climbing, running, and video games.
John Sturrock (2021 Summer -): Undergraduate research assistant – Fermentation engineering, Plastic biodegradation and bioconversion.
Zenon Nieduzak (2022 Summer -): Undergraduate research assistant – Metabolic engineering and fermentation.
Qiuyan Chen (2021 Fall -): Undergraduate research assistant – Metabolic engineering, Fermentation engineering.
Dr. Na Liu (2017 Spring – 2021 Fall): PhD Graduate Student – Metabolic Engineering and Fermentation engineering; Currently a research scientist at GlycoSyn LLC.
Dr. Ya-Hue Valerie Soong (2017 Spring – 2021 Fall): PhD Graduate Student – Metabolic Engineering, Biodegradation and Bioconversion of Plastic Wastes; Currently a research scientist at GlycoSyn LLC.
Steven Chen (2017-2019): Undergraduate research assistant – Fermentation engineering, currently in Pfizer.
James Keats (2017-2019): Undergraduate research assistant – Fermentation engineering, currently in Evelo Biosciences.
Patrick Shanahan (2019): Undergraduate research assistant – Bioprocess engineering.
Derek Purdy (2020 Spring -): Undergraduate research assistant – Bioprocess engineering.
Alexander Macleod (2020 Spring -): Undergraduate research assistant – Bioprocess engineering.
Janelle Chin (2020 Spring): Undergraduate research assistant – General biology.
Brianna Biondo (2021 Summer): Undergraduate research assistant – Bioprocess modeling.
Ashley E Willan (2021 Fall): Undergraduate research assistant – Biorecycling of plastic wastes.
