Dr. William Tai Yin Tze
Principle Investigator
Dr. William T. Y. Tze, Associate Professor
Hometown: Malaysia
Research Focus: View William’s research interests.
Research Group Members
Nihar Sakhadeo, PhD Student
Hometown: Kolhapur, India
Research Focus: Lignin-based nanocomposites
Lia Ip, Undergraduate Research Student
Hometown: Hong Kong, China
Research Focus: Nanocellulose encapsulation of passive thermal-regulating compounds
Kelsey Yang Undergraduate Research Student
Hometown: Woodbury, Minnesota
Research Focus: Temperature regulating nanocellulose composite materials
Research Group Alumni
Dr. Han-Seung Yang, Former Research Associate/Lab Manager (2011-2015)
Hometown: Busan, Republic of Korea
Research Focus: Nanofibers and composites as co-products of bioenergy system
Current position: R&D Director, Nanodyne Measurement Systems Inc., Minneapolis, MN
Dr. Márcia Branciforti, Former Research Associate/Visiting scholar (2013-2014)
Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Research Focus: Nanofibrillation of woody biomass
Current position: Professor, Dept. Materials Sc. Eng., University of São Paolo, Brazil
Dr. Laura M. Moya, Former Ph.D. Student (2004-2008)
Hometown: Montevideo, Uruguay
Research Focus: Fire-impacted trees for oriented strand boards
Current position: Associate Professor, Faculty of Architecture, ORT University, Uruguay
Dr. Islam Hafez, Former Ph.D. Student (2013-2018)
Hometown: Alexandria, Egypt
Research Focus: Films and adhesive products from saccharification residues of biomass
Current position: Assistant Professor, Oregon State University
Hsin-Chen Chen, Former Researcher (2020-2021)
Hometown: Taipei, Taiwan
Research Focus: Resin-free bonding of wood microfiber
Jin Yao, Former M.S. Student (2008-2010)
Hometown: Datong, China
Research Focus: Raman spectroscopic studies of load transfer in microfibrillated cellulose/poly(lactic acid) composites
Lili Zhou, Former M.S. Student (2008-2010)
Hometown: China
Research Focus: All-cellulose composites prepared in an ionic liquid
Jesse D. Lund, Former Graduate Research Student (2006-2010)
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Research Focus: Extraction of cellulose nanocrystals and mechanical characterization of their polymeric composites
Tianyue Chen, Undergraduate Research Student (Chemistry Directed Study) (2024-25)
Hometown: Shanghai, China
Research Focus: Hydroxyl availability of micro-ground wood biomass
Fletcher Gilbertson, Former UROP Research Student (2016)
Hometown: Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Research Focus: Improving wet performance of chitosan-xylan bioplastic
Katrina Hanson, Former UROP Research Student (2015)
Hometown: Lakeland, Minnesota
Research Focus: Nanocellulose-soybean oil composites via UV-initiated free radical polymerization
Sangki Hong, Former Undergraduate Research Student (Two-semester Chemistry Directed Study) (2012-2013)
Hometown: Seoul, Republic of Korea
Research Focus: FTIR characterization of biomass saccharification residues
Current position: Process Engineer, Intel
Suna Jo, Former Undergraduate Research Student (Two-semester Chemistry Directed Study) (2022)
Hometown: Yongin, Republic of Korea
Research Focus: Biobased heat storage materials
Brady Krueger, Former Undergraduate Research Student (2013)
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Research Focus: Nanocellulose-poly(ethylene oxide) composites
Current position: Permit Engineer, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Jonathon Langkammer, Former UROP Research Student (2013)
Hometown: Neenah, Wisconsin
Research Focus: Electrically conductive polymer films containing cellulose nanofibers
Nicolas Lissome, Former Undergraduate Research Assistant (2009-2011)
Hometown: Cameroon
Research Focus: Surface-chemical characterization of modified wood fibers
Evelyn McLaughlin, Former Undergraduate Research Assistant (2013)
Hometown: Minnetonka, Minnesota
Research Focus: Surface oxidation of cellulose fibers; properties of nanocellulose/EVA composites
Lauren Mecum, Former UROP Research Student (2022)
Hometown: Stillwater, Minnesota
Research Focus: Lignin-toughened polymeric nanocomposites
Claire Mikkelson, Former Undergraduate Research Assistant (2021-2022)
Hometown: Janesville, Wisconsin
Research Focus: Micro-nanofiber board and films
Derek Nelson, Former UROP Research Student (2014)
Hometown: Minnetonka, Minnesota
Research Focus: Cellulose nanofiber/polymer composites by filtration approach
Ava Schrenk, Former Undergraduate Research Assistant/UROP Research Student (2012-2013)
Hometown: Richfield, Minnesota
Research Focus: Nanoreinforcement of wood thermosetting adhesive
Current position: Chemist, Integrated Recycling Technologies, MN.
Kyle Wist, Former UROP Research Student (2023-2024)
Hometown: Franklin, Wisconsin
Research Focus: Nano-reinforced, lignin-based thermosetting adhesive
Keith Wu, Former Undergraduate Honors Research Student (2009-2011)
Hometown: Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Research Focus: Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis of microfibrillated cellulose/poly(lactic acid) composites
Currently with Epic, Madison, WI.