Graduate Students

Maxim Balitskiy is a chemical engineering PhD candidate & GRFP fellow. Currently, his primary research focus discerns the mechanism for nylon adsorption onto Nylonase C, in hopes that it can improve catalytic efficiency. He got his bachelors in chemical engineering, at the University of Utah, where he assisted research in calibration techniques for formaldehyde sensors, researched miRNA sensors, and interned several times at Micron. In his free time, he enjoys maintaining tools, cycling, and making music

Google Scholar

Emily is a Chemistry Ph.D. candidate at the University of Michigan. She has a B.S. in Chemistry. 

Josiah Cooper is currently a PharmD student and researcher at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. He received his B.A. in Biochemistry from the University of Arkansas. His research interests focus on computational drug discovery and understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying viral diseases. He is currently working in the Brooks Lab, where he uses molecular dynamics simulations and molecular modeling to investigate Hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid assembly and design capsid assembly modulators (CpAMs). Outside of research, Josiah enjoys playing piano, baking, and exploring new places.

Aidan is a Ph.D. student in Organic Chemistry at the University of Michigan. He holds a BS in Chemistry/Biochemistry from Haverford College, where he conducted over 100 hours of research on lead-based Ruddlesen-Popper phases. 

Google Scholar

Marcella is a Chemistry Ph.D. candidate at the University of Michigan. Her research includes collaborating with the UM College of Medicine and UM College of Pharmacy to find stronger inhibitors for Malic Enzyme 1. She is investigating relative binding free energy calculations of inhibitors of Malic Enzyme 1 using FEP and Multi-Site Lamda Dynamics, running MD simulations to assess the stability of protein-ligand conformations, analyzing major binding motifs, and assessing binding energies. She also assesses inhibitor isoform specificity by running stability analysis and MM-GBSA calculations.

Google Scholar

Hi! My name is Doniven Hicks, and I am currently a Biophysics PhD candidate at the University of Michigan. I did my undergraduate degree in chemistry at the University of Missouri, where I was a MARC Research Fellow using single-molecule and enhanced-sampling molecular dynamics simulations to study DNA-remodeling proteins. In grad school, I’ve been interested in utilizing and developing enhanced sampling methods—such as weighted ensemble, umbrella sampling, and replica exchange with solute tempering—to accelerate drug design. Outside of the lab, I like weightlifting, playing sports, learning instruments, watching anime, and cooking.

Jiauy is a Ph.D. student in Chemistry at the University of Michigan. 

I obtained my BS degrees in Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biochemistry from the University of North Texas. My passion in life has always been scientific discovery, research and teaching. During my undergrad, the formative years of my research, I contributed significant research in the areas of asymmetric catalysis in organic chemistry, analytical chemistry involving solvent coefficient models, and structural biophysics of cytoskeletal proteins. My current research in the Brooks lab involves establishing a method development that utilizes an enhanced sampling technique known as Umbrella Sampling and a relative binding free energy technique known as Multisite Lambda Dynamics (MSLD) to create a high throughput method of deriving ligand binding free energy profiles as they pass through aquaporin channels. In my free time, I love fencing (Foil), practicing the violin with my church's quartet, learning new languages, exploring new cities, and I never turn down an opportunity to hang out with friends. As an extrovert, building relationships along with research prowess is something I always look forward to. If you have anymore questions, feel free to email me at boloyede@umich.edu or contact me through LinkedIn

Drew is a Ph.D. student at the University of Michigan studying Computational Chemistry. He is researching molecular dynamics and machine learning approaches to investigate improvements in drug development and design.

Crockett is pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Michigan, and holds a BS in Chemistry. He is rotating in the Brooks Group for the Fall 2026 Semester.