CURB Members

Current CURB Members

Kathryn Agnew

Email: kagnew@wisc.edu

Hi! I am a junior double majoring in Botany & Biochemistry. I joined the Fredrickson Group in January 2021. My current project aims to use computational tools like density functional theory to analyze and better understand how chemical pressure shapes intermetallic structures. In the past I have worked with tools like VASP, an electronic structure software, to perform orbital analysis of various crystal structures including HfAs in the Titanium Phosphate type. Please do feel free to reach out to me with any questions about getting into crystallography, computational chemistry, or research in general.

Hunter Coplien

Email: hcoplien@wisc.edu

Hey! I’m a junior majoring in Biochemistry and Neurobiology with certificates in Health in the Humanities and Biocore. I joined the Wickens Group in May 2021 where I have been working on a project using electrochemistry and arenes to synthesize site-selective and versatile intermediates that can be functionalized by a bi-phenyl-bi-sulfide molecule called thianthrene to form small drug-like molecules to potentially be used in various clinical, pharmaceutical, and industrial methods! Being a part of research has changed the way I approach science and has made me fall in love with science all over again! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about your research!

Evan Jensen

Email: etjensen@wisc.edu

Hello! I am a junior majoring in Chemistry. In January of 2020, I joined the Goldsmith Group where I have worked on a number of projects from computer simulations to designing and building a light-tight microscope table enclosure to single-mode optical fiber production. My current project involves using widefield fluorescence microscopy to investigate the release functions of Li+ ions from lithium cobalt oxide particles in a Li-ion-battery-like environment. I am happy to have had all of these experiences and would love to talk about them with anyone with questions!

Mahak Kathpalia

Email: kathpalia2@wisc.edu

Address:
Hi! I am a junior majoring in chemistry with a certificate in science communication. I am also considering pursuing molecular and cell biology. I joined the Wang Lab in fall 2021. My current project aims to engineer molecular chaperones that fold and assemble more efficient variants of Rubisco, the historically “unimprovable” and most abundant enzyme on Earth responsible for catalyzing the first step in photosynthesis. Additionally, I have also been involved in research on stable isotopic ratio analysis of necropsies of lead-poisoned birds to evaluate potential sources of lead exposure in Wisconsin at the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene through the Undergraduate Research Scholars program. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about undergraduate research!

Jasmine Machhi

Email: machhi2@wisc.edu

Hi! I am a sophomore currently undecided in my major, but pursuing certificates in global health and Biocore. I joined the Cavaganero group in January 2020. My project investigates the conformational changes client proteins undergo during the chaperone folding cycle. I am so excited to be involved in research and would be glad to answer any questions about your interests in research!

Khush Patel

Email: kkpatel4@wisc.edu

Hi! I am a sophomore studying Neurobiology with a Data Science certificate. I joined the Saha Lab fall of 2022, where my project mainly focuses on manufacturing K9 CAR T Cells with the use of CRISPR. Specifically, my project this semester is to develop a CAR construct by utilizing restriction digest and ligation methods in hopes to improve the success rate of CAR trafficking to the cell membrane. I am happy to answer any research-related questions, so feel free to reach out!

Lewis Suess

Email: lsuess@wisc.edu

Hey! I’m a junior majoring in chemistry and genetics. I joined the Stowe Group in January 2022 and have become increasingly interested in chemical education research ever since. My current research with the group focuses on identifying moments in which students demonstrate sensemaking in high school chemistry classrooms. In the past, I developed assessment items for use in these classrooms and analyzed the ways that students choose to engage with related materials. In addition to my research in the Stowe Group, I also performed a couple of syntheses of nitriles resembling compounds detected in space in the McMahon group for a brief period this fall (however, I do not recommend attempting to juggle two research groups at once!). I’m really enthusiastic about research and would love to answer any questions you may have!

Xindi Tang

Email: xtang89@wisc.edu

Hi! I’m a senior majoring in Chemistry and Biochemistry. I joined Dr. Lingjun Li’s lab in fall 2020. I am currently working with Andrew Zhu on studying collision-induced unfolding/dissociation pathways of protein complexes as well as identifying structural isomers of bio molecules with IM-MS. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have about undergraduate research!

Max Unger

Email: mjunger@wisc.edu

Hey! I’m a senior majoring in chemistry with certificates in physics and education & educational services. I joined the Martell Group in February 2020 and have been working on the protein team since. My projects have looked at evolving enzymes to be able to degrade plastics in non-native conditions (bioremediation-type work rooted in chemical biology, organic chemistry and biochemistry). Additionally, I’ve worked on a separate project that utilized enzymes to perform mediated benzylic functionalization; highlighting the applicability of enzymes for “green” synthesis. Feel free to reach out if you have questions about navigating undergraduate research!

Shuyi Zhang

Email: szhang686@wisc.edu

Hi, I’m a senior student double majoring in chemical engineering and chemistry. I joined the Boydston group in January 2020 and have been working on a few projects. My research primarily focuses on Metal-Free Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization but also includes 3D printing topics. I really enjoy working as an undergraduate researcher and would love to help you out. Feel free to reach out if you are interested in undergraduate research.