Principal Investigator
Justin Wilson
Postdoctoral Researchers
Yangyang Gao
Oct 2023 – Present
- Ph.D. 2023, Chemistry — Xi’an Jiaotong University
- M.S. 2014, Analytical Chemistry — University of South China
- B.S. 2011, Chemical Engineering — Daqing Normal Universtiy
If you didn’t choose to be a chemist, what would you be doing instead?
Dentist or seller.
If you were an Olympic athlete, what event would you compete in?
Marathon.
Grant Stec
Jan 2024 – Present
- Ph.D. 2024, Chemistry — Harvard University
- M.S. 2019, Chemistry — Harvard University
- B.S. 2017, Chemistry — Rice University
What are three items that you’d bring with you to a desert island?
My cat, cat food, and cat toys. My cat runs my life.
What is your favorite fun fact to share?
I used to short-track speed skate and raced against a couple Olympic medalists…it didn’t end well.
Maddy Denison
Sep 2024 – Present
- Ph.D. 2024, Chemistry — Wayne State University
- B.S. 2017, Chemistry — Albion College
What is your spirit animal?
Sloth (specifically Flash the Sloth)
What is your favorite fun fact to share?
I want to run a marathon in each state, so far I have done three
Graduate Students
Haipei Zou
2021 – Present
- B.S. 2020, Chemistry — University of Sydney
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Go to bed early (but I never make it).
If you were sailing around the world with 1 person, who would you bring?
Doraemon
Kevin Lee
2021 – Present
- B.S. 2021, Chemistry — SUNY Binghamton
If you didn’t choose to be a chemist, what would you be doing instead?
Dog Aquatic Instructor (It’s a real job).
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Why waste time say lot word when few word do trick.” -Kevin Malone
Piyusha Lotlikar
2021 – Present
- B.S. 2020, Chemistry — Stony Brook University
What is your spirit animal?
I think a ocelot because I’m nimble, fairly resourceful, and witty/sharp.
If you were sailing around the world with 1 person, who would you bring?
In terms of practicality, someone who knows how to sail because I do not.
Jacy Lieberum
2023 – Present
- B.S. 2023, Pharmaceutical Chemistry — Saint Joseph’s University
How did you choose your major?
As a kid I was constantly making what I called “concoctions” with household things. I hid one concoction in my sock drawer, which exploded and turned all my socks blue! I was so proud. It’s been chemistry ever since.
What are five things that make you happy?
Concerts, rocks, books, the ocean, & cotton candy water ice
Gillian Weissman
2025 – Present
- B.S. 2023, Chemistry — SUNY Binghamton
If you were one piece of lab equipment, what would you be?
Table top centrifuge
If you were trapped on a desert island and only had three things, what would you bring?
TV, DVD player, and DVD copy of Shrek 2
Ali Nopper
2026 – Present
- B.S. 2025, Chemistry and Biology — University of Utah
What is your favorite thing to do in Santa Barbara?
Go out with friends!
What is the perfect pizza topping combination?
Pepperoni and hot honey
Viky Villanueva
2026 – Present
- B.S. 2023, Chemistry — UC Santa Cruz
What is your spirit animal?
“Tupac Shakur”
What is your favorite thing about where you grew up?
I love my community in Merced. I couldn’t have made it this far in life or school without the amazing love and support of my family and friends. Los quiero un chingo y los extraño cada día. Gracias por todo.
Undergraduate Students
Martin Panicacci
Oct 2024 – Present
- Pre-Chemistry (Biochemistry Track), Class of 2027
What is your spirit animal?
What I’d really love to be is a Nudibranch or a Jellyfish of some sort, but I think my spirit animal is probably a Tarsier.
What is your favorite snack food?
I’m not sure I have a favorite one but if I did have one it would be from Trader Joe’s
Anna Hesser
Mar 2025 – Present
- Chemistry, Class of 2027
What’s your favorite element and why?
My favorite element is sodium because it’s essential for life, and I love salt.
If you were trapped on a desert island and only had three things, what would you pick?
My dog, water, and a coconut tree. I will create a coconut farm and live off of coconuts.
Daniel Reyna
Apr 2025 – Present
- Chemistry, Class of 2028
If you were one piece of lab equipment, what would you be?
I would be a magnetic stir bar because it seems fun to spin around and be in some liquid at the same time
Do you have any hobbies?
I love to compose music and study the chords and structure of other songs that I like; I think it’s fun to recognize patterns in other songs and think of how to use parts of them in my own work.
Alumni
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