Randy Scanga
5th Year Ph.D Student
Never coming…
Shayesteh Tafazoli
4rd Year Ph.D Student
I attended Isfahan University of Technology, Iran, for my undergraduate studies and received my Bachelor of Applied Chemistry in Isfahan. My undergraduate project on “Investigation of some industrial applications of wastewater” was conducted under Prof.Meran Ghiaci. Continuously, I applied for Master program in Polymer Chemistry and joined to Dr.Fatemeh Rafiemanzelat’s research group. I earned my Master degree from Isfahan University and my project was cooperation between Polymer and Pharmacy faculties titled “Design, synthesis and characterization of novel nano structure water borne copoly(ether- urethane) functionalized based on L-leucine anhydride cyclopeptide and PEG with targeting drug delivery potential”. We synthesized targeted amphiphilic polyurethane drug delivery system for cancer therapy like breast cancer and cervix. I joined University of Massachusetts Lowell as a PhD student. I am performing my PhD project under Prof.James Reuther on Multi-Stimuli Responsive polymeric systems and their applications.
Dylan Shuster
3rd Year Ph.D Student
I attended the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) in Colorful Colorado for my undergraduate where I received my Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with a minor in Chemistry (2015). I conducted undergraduate research under Dr. Renee Henry developing model catecholate siderophores for bioinorganic applications as well as synthesis of carboxylate-containing triazole derivatives for the remediation, and equilibrium-based recycling, of aqueous inorganic ions. This research was followed up with a Master of Sciences in Chemistry (2018) from UCCS under Dr. Janel Owens and Dr. Allen Schoffstall investigating modified biochar composites impregnated with magnetic iron nanoparticles for potential applications in water purification. Before jumping the breathtaking Rockies to the Ancient Appalachians, and joining the University of Massachusetts, Lowell in Spring 2022, I worked at the United States Air Force Academy as a Chemistry Instructor in the Science Learning Center and Department of Chemistry (2017-2021). It was there I was first introduced to, and started researching, polymers and perfluorinated compounds under the supervision of Dr. Scott Iacono. I hope to continue my endeavors not only pioneering the discipline of Green Chemistry for future generations, but also investigating methods for the reduction, reusability, and recycling of environmental toxicants using polymers as the foundation.
Sophie Harris
1st Year Ph.D. Student
I attended the University of Massachusetts Lowell for my undergraduate studies where I received my B.S in Biochemistry and graduated in 2023. I transferred into the chemistry department my sophomore year with Dr. James Reuther as my advisor and joined his research group in 2020. Under Dr. Reuther’s, and now graduated Dr. Priyanka Biswas’s, mentorship I conducted my undergraduate thesis on “Arm-first star block copolymer synthesis by photoinitiated atom transfer radical polymerization using micelles as templates in aqueous media” to fabricate uniform metal organic frameworks. Additionally, I aided Dr. Biswas in her thesis research regarding “Oxime-functionalized, nonwoven nanofabrics for rapid, inexpensive decontamination of nerve agent simulants”. After receiving my bachelor’s degree, I continued into the Polymer Chemistry Ph.D. program at UMass Lowell under Dr. Reuther and I was awarded a National Science Foundation Research Traineeship fellowship by the sustainable water innovations in materials – mentoring, education, and research (SWIMMER) program. The SWIMMER program also awarded me a travel grant in 2024 to attend the German Physics Association’s spring meeting in Berlin, Germany. Currently under Dr. Reuther, I am conducting research regarding asymmetric polymerization-induced crystallization driven self-assembly (PI-CDSA) of poly(aryl isocyanides) as well as transferable, tunable, and hierarchical chirality in helical organic systems. I aspire to continue and expand this research in chiral polymeric systems by studying surface initiated CDSA via additive manufacturing methods, and the chiral induced spin-selectivity effect for the application of spin filtering devices and spintronics. Overall, I cannot wait to see where this research brings me and I am very grateful for the years of mentorship and guidance provided by Dr. Reuther, and for the support and encouragement from my family, lab group, and my friends.
Sahaj Rijal
M.Sc. Student
Coming Soon.
Sean Sarault
Incoming Ph.D. Student
Coming Soon.
Reuther Lab Alumni
Abigail Giarrosso M.S.
Abigail earned her B.S. in Chemistry from UMass Lowell focusing on green chemistry research. She has worked at the Toxics Use Reduction Institute since 2014, assessing alternative industrial and janitorial cleaners for effectiveness. In 2015, Abigail started working with Dr. Greg Morose to create an effective, safe, and affordable paint stripper using the Hansen Solubility Parameters (HSP) theory to replace hazardous methylene chloride-based paint strippers. Now proficient at HSP theory, Abigail is working with Dr. James Reuther to create an alternative to acetone nail polish removers for nail salons. Abigail completed UMass Lowell’s Bachelor’s to Master’s program in Spring 2019 and is currently working with Evolve by Nature, a company focused on green chemistry initiatives in Needham, MA.
Dr. Priyanka Biswas
Priyanka attended Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India for her undergraduate studies where she received her Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) in Fibers and Textiles Processing Technology. She conducted undergraduate research under Prof. Usha Sayed on “Simultaneous dyeing and finishing using rifampicin drug”. After receiving her B. Tech, Priyanka worked for a year in Arvind ltd, India in the Research and Development department. Her major focus was on enhancing the antimicrobial and moisture management properties on polyester fabrics. She recently joined University of Massachusetts, Lowell in Fall 2018 as a Ph.D. student where she will be performing my research under Prof. James Reuther on the synthesis of reactive activated carbon adsorbents for the removal and detoxification of nerve agent hazards. She successfully defended her thesis in Summer 2023 and is currently working for Saint-Gobain in San Diego, CA.
Dr. Ali Shahrokhinia
Ali attended Azad University in Iran (Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Fiber science) for his undergraduate studies. His thesis was focused on the “Diffusion of disperse dyes into the Polyester fibers by different agents “. He earned his Master’s degree from Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute (Polymer engineering). The focal point of his Master’s thesis was on the “Effects of different external donors on the properties of Polypropylene synthesized by the fourth generation of Z-N catalysis”. He worked several years as a Technical consultant in the Textile industry. Simultaneously, under the supervision of Prof. Hakim, He worked in a research group, concentrating on the designing of Metallocene catalysis for the tailoring of Dynamic-Mechanical properties in the Polypropylene. Ali successfully defended his thesis in Spring 2024 and is currently working for BASF Corporation in Wyandotte, MI.