Group Members

Graduate student - hhe9pj at virginia dot edu

B. S. (2021) Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Petroleum Engineering

My research deals with studying solvation effects in electrocatalysis. I am interested in understanding how the interactions between solvents, ions, and reactants at the electrode-electrolyte interface impact the performance of electrocatalysts. After graduating in 2021, I worked in the petroleum industry where I developed an interest in catalysis research due to its practical applications in developing sustainable, lower carbon footprint routes for chemicals and fuel production. Outside academics, I enjoy listening to music, playing/watching football and reading history. 

Graduate student - tbh7eg at virginia dot edu

B. S. (2023) Pennsylvania State University, Chemical Engineering

I joined the Bates group in the fall of 2023. My research focuses on zeolite-hosted molecular catalysis. During my undergraduate studies at Pennsylvania State University, I did research on fluorescence quenching of Ru(bpy)32+ by TiO2 nanoparticles and completed an honors thesis on oxygen diffusion in Poly-vinyl alcohol-co-polythylene (PVA-co-PE). Outside of academics, I enjoy reading fantasy literature, playing video games, and walking in nature.

Graduate student - rka7tp at virginia dot edu

B. S. (2023) Lafayette College, Chemical Engineering

My research aims to develop electrocatalysts that can better selectively oxidize both methane and alkenes for liquid fuel and chemical production at low temperatures. While at Lafayette College, I worked with Professor Michael Senra as both a Clare Boothe Luce (CBL) Research Scholar and an honors thesis student. As a CBL Scholar and a thesis student, I produced biodiesel via the transesterification reaction and evaluated each sample’s cold flow properties and energy content using differential scanning calorimetry and bomb calorimetry. Additionally, during the summer of 2021, I worked alongside Professor Andrew Teixeira at Worcester Polytechnic Institute to develop a custom catalyst characterization test stand that could more accurately measure the number of active sites and binding energies for different catalyst forms. I also worked alongside Professor Thomas Schwartz at the University of Maine during the summer of 2022 to construct a continuous flow reactor that could effectively study solvent effects in the context of transition state theory in phenol hydrogenation. Aside from academics, I enjoy running, cooking meals from scratch, reading, and binge-watching Friends.

Undergraduate student - wzn9uf at virginia dot edu

University of Virginia, Chemical Engineering (B.S. (2026), expected)

I joined the Bates group in the fall of 2023. The research I am working on involves the synthesis of nanosheet zeolites. Outside of school and research, I am a member of the UVA Clean Water Group, and play basketball and tennis. 

Undergraduate student - sqt5rb at virginia dot edu

University of Virginia, Chemical Engineering (B.S. (2025), expected)

I joined the Bates group in the fall of 2023. The research I am working on involves the synthesis of hierarchical zeolites. Outside of school and research, I am part of the Virginia Dance Company here on grounds and am a fitness instructor at a local cycle studio.

Undergraduate student - phq2gu at virginia dot edu

University of Virginia, Chemical Engineering (B.S. (2026), expected)

I joined the Bates group in fall of 2023. The research I am working on involves the synthesis of zeolites with controlled Al distributions. Outside of school and research, I am a swim instructor and lifeguard for UVA Recreation. I am from Brooklyn, NY.