Hi, I’m Nick and I’m a third-year PhD student under Prof. Gerald (Jerry) Wang. I graduated with B.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering and Physics from Virginia Commonwealth University and spent an additional year throughout undergrad working as a co-op student at DuPont. My research interests lie in statistical estimation for molecular simulation with a passing interest in machine learning. Outside work, I love to keep active through biking and lifting, maintain my love-hate relationship with chess, and as of 2024 attend more live music and open comedy shows! As president this year, I hope to conclude my tenure having had at least one meaningful interaction with everyone in the department, becoming more organized along the way would be cool too :).

(nhattrup@andrew.cmu.edu)

Hi, my name is Arsh Bhatia and I am a second-year PhD Student co-advised by Prof. Laird and Prof. Grossmann working on the optimization of water networks for rare earth elements recovery. I did my undergrad at Purdue University in Chemical Engineering. Outside of school I like to read, watch soccer and listen to music.

(arshb@andrew.cmu.edu)

Hi, I’m Maryam! I’m a second-year PhD student working with Bob Tilton and Lynn Walker on sustainable reformulations. I did my undergrad at Virginia Commonwealth University majoring in Chemical Engineering, minoring in Chemistry and Applied Maths. It’s also where I developed my appreciation for live music, home-brewed rice wine, and museums with free admission.

(msali@andrew.cmu.edu)

Hello! I’m Jason, a second-year PhD student working with Chrysanthos Gounaris on optimization under uncertainty of critical mineral recovery processes. I graduated with a B.S. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, along with a minor in Computing and Intelligence. Outside of work, I enjoy piano, reading, and learning to cook.

(jasonyao@andrew.cmu.edu)

Hello, I’m Carolina! I was born and raised in Brazil, where I got my bachelors in Chemical Engineering from the University of Caxias do Sul and Master in Chemical and Biochemical Processes Engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. I’m a second-year PhD student working with Professors Carl Laird and John Kitchin (Process Systems Engineering/ Catalysis). In my free time, I like to listen to music, play the guitar and sing.

(ccolomb2@andrew.cmu.edu)

Hi I’m Bashar and I’m a third-year PhD student under Carl Laird. I graduated with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from UC Davis and spent 3 years in industry at Anheuser-Busch. My research interests are in machine learning and optimization for process decision-making. Outside work, I am an avid classical music aficionado and a passionate advocate for the compositions of Gustav Mahler. I also enjoy travelling and spending as much time as possible in nature!

(bammari@andrew.cmu.edu)

Hello, I’m Samantha, and I am a 1st year PhD student in Professor Whitehead’s group studying mRNA delivery systems. I graduated with a B.S. in chemical engineering from UC Berkeley, and I am originally from California as well. I love being outdoors and exploring nature as well as kickboxing, yoga, and music!

(sjyang@andrew.cmu.edu)

Hello, I am Kitty! I was raised in Richmond, VA, and moved to Pennsylvania to study chemical engineering and aerosols at Lafayette College. Now at Carnegie Mellon, I am researching marine particle formation in the Jen Lab. When I am not in the lab, you can find me on the volleyball court or spending time with friends!

(kpierrel@andrew.cmu.edu)

Hi, I’m Emerson Uhlig. I studied chemical engineering at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and I am now a first year PhD student studying transport processes at fluid-fluid interfaces with Professor Khair’s group. In my spare time I enjoy playing and listening to music, watching movies, cooking, rock climbing, hiking, playing pickup sports, spending time with my friends, and planning the next ChEGSA shindig.

(euhlig@andrew.cmu.edu)

Hi! I am Ali Asger. Born and raised in Mumbai, India. I completed an integrated bachelors and masters at Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai. I am currently a first-year PhD student working with Prof. Grigorios Panagakos and Prof. Carl Laird. Outside of work, I enjoy classical music, playing soccer, hikes and nature excursions.

(aasger@andrew.cmu.edu)

Hi! My name is Catalina Montoya. I was born and raised in Colombia, where I got my B.S. in chemical and biomedical engineering at the University of Los Andes. I am a second-year PhD student working with Professor Kathryn Whitehead in drug delivery systems. Outside the lab, I enjoy exercise, travel, outdoor activities, and nature.

(catalinm@andrew.cmu.edu)

Hey there! I’m Mayra González Ramirez, proudly born and raised in Mexico with a B.S. from Instituto Tecnologico de Aguascalientes and a Master’s degree from Instituto Tecnologico de Celaya. Currently, in my second year as a PhD student working with Grigorios Panagakos and Larry Biegler, my academic journey is a thrilling exploration focused on the topology optimization of carbon capture systems. Beyond academia, I’m an avid reader, writer, and cook, and you’ll also find me dancing or enjoying the outdoors.

(mayragug@andrew.cmu.edu)

Hi, I’m Tirtha Vinchurkar. I’m Masters student and currently working on the interesting fusion of LLMs and Catalysis in Professor Farimani’s lab. In my leisure time, I like playing basketball, reading novels, watching anime and hiking with my dog.

(tvinchur@andrew.cmu.edu)

Hello, I’m Norman, and I’m a first-year PhD student working with Professor Carl Laird on separation and extraction optimization. I graduated with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University after moving from Vietnam. I enjoy riding and maintaining my bike, learning piano, and working out in the morning.

(nttran@andrew.cmu.edu)

Hi, I’m Chris. I grew up in New Jersey and did my undergraduate in chemical engineering at Rutgers University. I am working with Professor Ana Torres to research the recovery of rare earth elements from end-of-life products. Outside of research, you can catch me rock climbing, hiking, traveling, and reading.

(claliwal@andrew.cmu.edu)

(husman@andrew.cmu.edu)

Hi everyone! My name is Megan Walsh and I am a third-year student working with Dr. Carl Laird and Dr. Chrysanthos Gounaris. I graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2021 with a B.S in chemical engineering and then moved out to Pittsburgh from Connecticut to start at CMU this past fall. Outside of school, I love to do yoga, find new hiking locations, and bake new recipes.

(mew2@andrew.cmu.edu)

Hi, I’m Cheick. I am from Côte d’Ivoire, where I was born and raised. I got my bachelors in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Tech and I am currently a second year PhD student under Grigorios Panagakos and Larry Biegler. My research is on carbon capture and couples CFD and PSE. Outside of school, you could find me at the gym, playing soccer, or making music.

(cdosso@andrew.cmu.edu)