Michael Allegrezza- Graduate Student

Michael is from Bowie, Maryland and is currently pursuing his doctorate at Miami University. He completed his B.S. in Chemistry at York College of Pennsylvania in May 2015. While at York, he worked on the design and synthesis of a novel nickel complex to be utilized as a chloride chemosensor. In fall 2015 he joined the Konkolewicz group at Miami University, where his current research involves applying photochemistry to polymer science. 

Camaryn Bennett - Bachelors/Masters Student

Camaryn Bennett is a Chemistry major from Dayton, Ohio who has recently joined the Konkolewicz group. Her focus is on precision polymer synthesis for dynamic materials as well as tools to evaluate the properties of dynamic materials. She hopes to attend graduate school after graduation from Miami.

Kate Bradford- Graduate Student

Kate received her BS in Chemistry from the University of Richmond in May 2017. During her undergrad career, she worked with Professor Tim Johann at Roanoke College developing a new drug target for antibiotic resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. She spent the following two years working on copper mediated difluoromethylation. She joined the Konkolewicz and Hartley groups in 2019 and began a collaborative project integrating macromolecules into polymers.

Kevin Burridge- Graduate Student

Kevin is from Cincinnati, Ohio, and is currently pursuing his doctorate at Miami University.  He completed his bachelors degrees in Chemistry (B.A.) and Biology (B.S.) at Thomas More College of Crestview Hills KY.  During his undergraduate, he interned at the University of Cincinnati, designing and testing an aptamer-microRNA therapy for prostate cancer.  Eventually, interest switched to chemistry and Kevin joined the Konkolewicz group in 2016, where his research focuses on protein-polymer conjugates.

Progyateg Chakma- Graduate Student

Progyateg (Progya) Chakma completed his BSc (Hons) in Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from University of Dhaka, Bangladesh with emphisis on Industrial Chemistry and Chemical Technology. He also performed undergraduate research at Center for Advanced Research in Science (CARS), University of Dhaka on “evaluating anti-cancer activity of Nigella sativa seed oil and extracts”. As a graduate student at Miami University, his research focus will be on Complex and Responsive Polymer Networks. 

Nethmi De Alwis- Graduate Student

Nethmi De Alwis completed her BSc (Hons) degree in Chemistry from University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka (2015). She worked on a synthetic organic chemistry project as her undergraduate research. In Fall 2016, she joined Miami university and Konkolewicz group. Her research focus mainly will be on combining photochemistry and post polymerization modification.

Obed Dodo - Graduate Student

Obed completed his B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemistry from Kaduna State University in Nigeria. During his undergraduate program, he carried out preliminary phytochemical research. He also determined the fortification levels of retinol, thiamin, riboflavin, and iron with a special emphasis on the factors that affect the stability of fortificants. Right after his graduation, he worked briefly in Covenant University, where he was involved in biogas research and taught general chemistry lab. He joined the Konkolewicz research group at Miami University in 2018, where he will focus on organic materials as his current area of interest with a special focus on self-healing materials. 

Andrew Miller - Graduate Student

Andrew is a masters student looking at responsive elastomeric materials.

Matthew Paeth - Graduate Student

Matt received his BS in chemistry from Ripon College in May of 2017. During his undergraduate career, he worked with Professor Patrick Willoughby developing a method for synthesizing N,O-Acetals from N-acylphthalimides and aldehydes. His first three years at Miami were spent developing novel organocopper(III) complexes and copper meditated trifluoromethylation reactions. He joined the Konkolewicz group in 2020 where he is now working on ATRP of challenging monomers.

Monica Sharfin Rahman - Graduate Student

Monica Sharfin Rahman attained her B.Sc. (Hons.) in Pharmacy and Master’s in Pharmaceutical Chemistry emphasizing phytochemical research from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. After her Master’s, she took teaching as her profession at tertiary level in her subject of specialization in the Department of Pharmacy, BRAC University in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where she worked from 2014-2017. During this period, she continued her research work in phytochemistry and public health. In 2018, she joined the Konkolewicz and Page groups at Miami University in 2018, where her research focus will be on Protein-Polymer conjugation.

Erika Stopler- Graduate Student

Erika is from the Greater New York City area and is completing her first year of graduate studies in Organic Chemistry at Miami University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry (B.S) at the State University of New York College at Oneonta, and further developed her undergraduate interests in chemistry after spending time conducting green organic synthesis research for Dr. Jacqueline Bennett’s research group. Throughout her studies, she has presented research at three National American Chemical Society Meetings, and participated in four chemistry research Summer internships. In the Summer of 2017, she worked as a Chemist at her first industrial job; the career path she hopes to follow after completing her Graduate Degree at Miami University. Now, she has joined the Konkolewicz research group, where she will begin research on dynamic bonding in polymers. 

Thai Wright- Graduate Student

Thaiesha (Thai) Wright is a current graduate student from Tampa, Florida. She earned her B.S. in Chemistry at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia in May 2015. While at Spelman, she worked to design and synthesize guanidine-based molecules to be utilized in treating breast cancer. In 2015, she joined the Konkolewicz and Page groups at Miami University, where her current research involves enzyme- polymer conjugations. 

Borui Zhang- Graduate Student

Borui Zhang was born and educated in Xi’an China. She completed her Bachelor Degree inchemistry at Northwest University of China in June 2014. Now, she is pursuing a  doctoral degree in chemistry at Miami University. She previously worked on the design; synthesis; and application of novel xanthenyl fluorescent probe, obtained the foundation of China National College Students Innovative & Entrepreneurial Training Program and first published her paper as second writer in 2013. Her current research project is on the topic of self-healing materials.

Sydney Carnes - Undergraduate Student

Sydney Carnes is a second-year biochemistry student who joined the Konkolewicz group in spring of 2019. She plans to attend medical school after graduating from Miami. Her focus is on the synthesisis of protein-polymer conjugates.

Alex Danielson- Undergraduate Student

Alex Danielson is a current undergraduate student at Miami University. He is working on degrees in both biochemistry and music, while also pursuing pre-med studies. Alex began his undergraduate research in 2014. His research focuses on the design and synthesis of protein-polymer hybrids.

​Zach Digby - Undergraduate Student

Zach Digby is currently a freshman biochemistry major, with a focus on premedical studies. Zach began undergraduate research in 2014. Zach's project focuses on tailor made polymers for a variety of applications. Zach intends to focus on these projects extensively throughout his time at Miami.

Nicholas Dougher - Undergraduate Student

Nicholas Dougher is a second year Chemistry (BS) major from Cleveland, Ohio, who has recently joined the team. His project is in Photo-polymerization of Organic Compounds. He plans to attend Miami University for a masters in Chemistry.

Dylan Bailey-Van Kuran - Undergraduate Student

Dylan is a current undergraduate student at Miami, with Majors in Chemistry and Sport Leadership and Management with a focus on Coaching, as well as a minor in German. He started undergraduate research in Fall 2014. His research focus is on the synthesis of polymers for the creation of protein-polymer hybrids to fulfill various functions.

Joshua Bornstein - Undergraduate Student

Josh Bornstein is a sophomore Chemical Engineering major with a Biochemical concentration and a minor in Supply Chain Management.  He started his undergraduate research in Fall 2015.  Josh is considering graduate studies in Chemical or Petroleum engineering.

Emily Clark- Undergraduate Student

Emily Clark is a sophomore at Miami University. She is currently studying Biology and Spanish with an emphasis on Pre-Med. She began undergraduate research at Miami University in 2014, and is focusing on the synthesis of precisely defined polymers for various applications. 

Sean Cummings - Undergraduate Student

Sean is currently a sophomore chemistry major (BS) from Columbus, OH and is seeking to acquire his masters and doctorate in the same field after graduation from Miami. Sean is very fascinated with the world around, and his curiosity has lead to focusing efforts in the area of organic and polymer chemistry.  

Nicholas Daman - Undergraduate Student

Nicholas is a senior Biology/Pre-Med comajor with Spanish and Nutrition minors. Nick recently joined the Konkolewicz group studying protein polymer synthesis. He hopes to attend medical school after graduating from Miami. 

Madison Dolan - Undergraduate Student

Madison Dolan is currently an undergraduate biochemistry and neuroscience co-major at Miami University. She hopes to attend medical school following her undergraduate studies. Madison began research in 2017 and is focusing on polymer synthesis.

Zachary DeMartini - Undergraduate Student

Zachary DeMartini is a freshman undergraduate student at Miami University. He is a chemistry major with a minor in Spanish. Zach began working in the Konkolewicz research group in the spring of 2016, and his current project focuses on photo-initiated radical polymerization. 

Derrick Dunn - Undergraduate Student

Derrick is a chemistry major who joined the Konkolewicz group in the summer of 2019.

Magdalyn (Maggie) Feazell - Undergraduate Student

Maggie is a junior undergraduate student at Miami University. She joined the Konkolewicz group in the Spring of 2016. She is studying biochemistry, and plans to attend dental school after graduation.

Elizabeth Foster - Undergraduate Student

Elizabeth Foster is currently an undergraduate student at Miami University, working on her Chemistry degree. She plans to attend Pharmacy School after graduating from Miami. Elizabeth began undergraduate research in the fall of 2014, focusing on self-healing materials.

Jacob Flum - Undergraduate Student

Jacob is a sophomore chemistry major with a minor in history. Jacob joined the Konkolewicz group in spring 2015, and his research interests include the synthesis and characterization of self-healing materials, After graduating from Miami University, Jacob is considering graduate research in alternative energy.

Gabe Garcia - Undergraduate Student

Gabe is a sophomore Kinesiology/Pre-medical studies co-major from Youngstown, OH. Gabe hopes to attend medical school following his undergraduate tenure at Miami University. His research focuses on RAFT photochemistry.

Madison Kearns - Undergraduate Student

Madison is a sophomore Biochemistry/Pre-Med co-major from Cleveland, Ohio, who has recently joined the Konkolewicz group. Her project is in the field of polymer bioconjugation. She hopes to attend medical school after graduating from Miami University. 

Caleb Kozuszek - Undergraduate Student

Caleb is a third year Biochemistry student from Hillsboro, Ohio. Caleb began researching in the Konkolewicz lab in the summer of 2017 and his focus is on protein-polymer conjugates. He is a member of Miami Genetics Club and Miami Chemical Society and is planning to attend graduate school after his graduation in 2020.

Alex Kloster - Undergraduate Student

Alex was a senior Biochemistry major with the premedical studies co-major and a minor in music performance. I have been with the Konkolewicz group since the spring of 2016 and my research involves photochemical polymerization. 

Pierce Kurek - Undergraduate Student

Pierce Kurek is currently a Junior undergraduate student at Miami University studying Microbiology with a co-major in premedical studies. He began undergraduate research in Spring of 2015, and recently joined the Konkolewicz group wherein his focus is photochemistry and post polymerization modification. 

Erin Lensmeyer - Undergraduate Student

Erin Lensmeyer is currently a junior undergraduate student at Miami University. She is currently studying 

Biochemistry and management, with an emphasis on Pre-Med. She began doing undergraduate research with Doctor Dominik Konkolewicz in the fall of 2015, focusing on radical polymerization.

Matthew McCauley - Undergraduate Student

Matthew McCauley is a senior undergraduate student at Miami University. Matthew is a biology major with a minor in English, and a focus on premedical studies. Matthew started working in the Konkolewicz group in 2015, and his project focuses on the synthesis of protein-polymer conjugates. He completed his bachelors degree in 2016.

Colleen Morley - Undergraduate Student

Colleen is currently a sophomore Chemistry major at Miami University, from New York. Colleen began working on the Konkolewicz research group September 2018. Her current research is focuses on self-healing polymers.

Camryn Myers - Undergraduate Student

Camryn Myers is a third year biology major with a pre-medical studies co-major student at Miami University. She began her research with the Konkolewicz group in the fall of 2019, focusing on inter-connected polymer networks. She hopes to attend medical school after graduation. 

Ryan Parnell - Undergraduate Student

Ryan Parnell is currently a junior Biochemistry student from Naperville, Illinois. Ryan joined the Konkolewicz research group in the fall of 2018, focusing on protein-polymer bioconjugation. He hopes to attend medical school after graduating from Miami.

Camryn Payne - Undergraduate Student

Camryn is a second year student from Lancaster, Ohio. She is majoring in chemistry and minoring in Spanish. Camryn mostly focuses on the polymer structure effects on the properties of interpenetrating networks. Camryn hope to attend graduate school to further my education after college. 

Magaly Sandoval - Undergraduate Student

Magaly is a biology and premed co-major. She started working in the Konkolewicz group in 2021, developing new models and understandings of reversible deactivation radical polymerization processes from a kinetic model perspective.

Samantha Sloane - Undergraduate Student

Samantha Sloane is a junior undergraduate student at Miami University. She is a chemistry major and Spanish minor. She plans to go on to graduate school and further explore her passion for Chemistry. She previously worked on chemistry education research and presented her research at the 2014 Spring American Chemical Society conference in Dallas, Texas. Her current organic chemistry research focuses on the design and synthesis of polymers for protein-polymer hybrids. She completed her bachelors degree in 2016.

Emily Schreiber - Undergraduate Student

Emily is a second year Chemistry major from Cincinnati, Ohio. Emily started research in the Konkolewicz lab fall of 2018, focusing on self-healing materials through crosslinking polymers. 

Adam Thompson - Undergraduate Student

Adam Thompson is currently a senior undergraduate at Miami University, and is studying Chemical Engineering.  He began research in Spring of 2016.  His current research investigates the polymerization of complex molecules using light as a stimulus.

Jafer Vakil - Undergraduate Student

Jafer is a sophomore undergraduate student at Miami, hailing from Cambridge, Massachusetts. Majoring in English Literature and Biochemistry with a minor in Russian Language, he is currently working on undergraduate research centered around self-healing polymers.

Jeremy Via - Undergraduate Student

Jeremy is a sophomore biochemistry major with a minor in Portuguese and premed co-major.  Jeremy started working in the Konkolewicz lab in the Fall of 2015.  His current project involves cross linking dynamic polymer network with different time scales and exploring the physical properties of the products.

Kyle Weaver - Undergraduate Student

Kyle Weaver is currently an undergraduate student at Miami University, with majors in Biochemistry and Mechanical Engineering. Kyle began research with the Konkolewicz group in fall 2016, and his research focus is combining catalysis and polymers.

Bella Wilson - Undergraduate Student

Bella is a sophomore computer science major and bioinformatics minor from Chicago, Illinois. She has recently joined the Konkolewicz group and her research focuses on RAFT Polymerization and understanding/modelling the kinetics of these processes, and developing accessible models.

Alex Wojnar - Undergraduate Student

Alex Wojnar is a Chemistry major and Pre-Medicine co-major at Miami University, from Cleveland, Ohio. She recently joined the group in fall 2019 and hopes to attend medical school following her undergraduate studies. Her current research is on understanding the mechanism of RAFT polymerization, focusing on the recent advances in the RAFT process.