The Team
Alexa S. Kuenstler, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Philidelphia Eagles Fan
email: akuenstl<at>illinois.edu
Graduate Students
Rithwik Ghanta
Ph.D. ChBE (Joined 2022)
Research: semi-crystalline polymer networks,
light responsive systems
Hobbies: baking, running, reading
Education: B.A. Math, Chem
U.C. Berkeley
email: rghanta2<at>illinois.edu
Jared Rivera-Otero
Ph.D. ChBE (Joined 2023)
Research: dynamic covalent networks
Hobbies: sports, thrift shopping, hiking
Education: B.S. Chemistry
University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras
email: jaredjr2<at>illinois.edu
Ayaulym Abilova, M.S.
Ph.D. ChBE (Joined 2023)
Research: gelation phenomena
Hobbies: cycling, badminton, swimming
Education: M.S. Biomedical Eng.
B.S. Biology
Nazarbayev University
email: abilova2<at>illinois.edu
Paul Lee, M.S.
Ph.D. ChBE (Joined 2023)
Research: photoresponsive polymer sytems
Hobbies: bouldering, badminton, swimming
Education: M.S. Chemical Eng., Imperial College London
B.S. Environmental Eng., Ghent University
email: eunsukl2<at>illinois.edu
Yu Shen Liu, M.S.
Ph.D. ChBE (Joined 2023)
Research: polymer membrane gas separations
Hobbies:
Education: M.S. Materials Sci. Eng., UIUC
B.S. Materials Sci. Eng., NYCU Tawian
email: ysliu2<at>illinois.edu
Sudharshan Kannapadi
Ph.D. ChBE (Joined 2024)
Research: polymer rheology
Hobbies:
Education: M.S. ChBE, Cornell University
B.Tech. Chemical. Eng., NIT Tiruchirappalli
email: sk177<at>illinois.edu
Elizabeth Vrana
Ph.D. ChBE (Joined 2025)
Research: diblock bottlebrush co-polymer
Hobbies: running, hiking, reading
Education: B.S. Chemistry, The Ohio State University
email: evrana2<at>illinois.edu
Undergraduate Students
Elena Granzeier
Senior (B.S. MatSE, B.S. Chem)
Mentor: Rithwik
Hobbies: ceramics
email: elenafg2<at>illinois.edu
Olivia Abegg
Senior (B.S. ChBE)
Mentor: Rithwik
Hobbies: ceramics
email: oabegg2<at>illinois.edu
Abike Sholeye
Senior (B.S. ChBE)
Mentor: Rithwik
Hobbies: movies, reading
email: abikes2<at>illinois.edu
Longmei Ge
Senior (B.S. ChBE)
Mentor: Paul
Hobbies: baking, reading
email: longmei2<at>illinois.edu
Sean Kuo
Junior (B.S. ChBE)
Mentor: Yu Shen
Hobbies:
email: yhkuo2<at>illinois.edu
Tolu Anifowoshe
Sophomore (B.S. ChBE)
Mentor: Rithwik
Hobbies:
email: tolua2<at>illinois.edu
Ryan Moi
Sophomore (B.S. ChBE)
Mentor: J.J.
Hobbies:
email: rmoi2<at>illinois.edu