Justin Wilson

justinjwilson@ucsb.edu

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

ygao417@ucsb.edu

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

gstec@ucsb.edu

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

mdension@ucsb.edu

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

Haipei Zhou

2021 – Present

• B.S. 2020, Chemistry — University of Sydney

hz565@ucsb.edu

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

kklee@ucsb.edu

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

piyusha_lotlikar@ucsb.edu

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

jclieberum@ucsb.edu

How did you choose your major?
I found so much joy as a child in making what I called “concoctions” with household things. One concoction that I hid in my sock drawer exploded and turned all my socks blue. I was so proud. It’s been chemistry ever since.
What is your favorite thing about where you grew up?
I loved living so close to the beach!

Martin Panicacci

Oct 2024 – Present

• Pre-Chemistry (Biochemistry Track), Class of 2027

martinpanicacci@ucsb.edu

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

Justin Ho

Oct 2024 – Present

• Biological Sciences, Class of 2026

jho@ucsb.edu

What is your favorite thing about UCSB?
My favorite thing about UCSB is the campus’s proximity to the beach, the vibrant campus community, activities and opportunities around the campus, and the many hiking and natural
landscapes around UCSB and Santa Barbara.
What is your favorite fun fact?
The human brain can generate enough electricity to light up a light bulb—so if you ever feel dim, just remember that your mind is a power plant waiting for the right ideas to turn it on!